You know, it’s a surreal moment when your favorite socio-political satirist and your favorite theologian come together on the same show for a conversation. That happened tonight when Stephen Colbert welcomed Bishop N.T. Wright onto his television show – The Colbert Report.

 

Colbert focused the interview on Wright’s latest book Surprised By Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. The book is very good and Wright did a nice job trying to cram some pretty serious theology into a 3-minute interview (and the term rethinking is a tad misleading unless you understand it as meaning returning to orthodox or correct biblical thinking). Of course Colbert, as funny and ridiculous as his alter-ego is, betrayed a deeper understanding then many would expect (and critics should take notice – Colbert is a true satirist and knows what he lampoons).

 

Wright managed to keep up with the humour which was a relief to see because many guests lose focus trying to keep up with Colbert. I’m sure the experience was enjoyable for Wright as well as a tad humbling given that the other guest was Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster.

 

All in all it was refreshing to see some serious, good theology actually get some airtime in pop-culture.

 

P.S. Find the book and read it.