Have many Christians been getting it wrong?

As it seems to be a little slow news-wise today, I was browsing through WorldNetDaily earlier and ran upon a very interesting article which describes the assertion of N. T. Wright, an Anglican Bishop, who has written a book entitled Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church, that suggests when Christians die, they do not ascend immediately to Heaven, as that ascension will only take place when Christ actually returns.

This concept is nothing new to me, as I was exposed to this from a very early age. I am, however, interested it what many of you might think of this, as I consider most NBers to be of above average intelligence, and that includes some of our trolls, when compared to the trolls one encounters on other conservative-oriented blogs.

For those of you currently sharpening your keyboards in preparation for coming in here and "burning the heretic at the stake," understand that I am taking no position here one way or the other. However, for those of you who find this concept an affront to your beliefs (and I know more than a few Christians who feel this way), I would be interested in your explaining why it is that, if Christians go straight to Heaven upon their death, as many are taught and/or believe, why will it be necessary for "the dead in Christ will rise first" upon his return?

I have had many interesting discussions on this subject with many of my Christian, as well as non-Christian, friends over the years. Honestly, some of the more interesting opinions came from the non-believers in that group. Among my Christian friends, there was some very real and surprising disagreement on this.

I am very interested in hearing what some of you think about this.

And no, I am not trying to touch off a "Holy War" here, so please keep it civil