Purpose-Directed Theology: Getting Our Priorities Right in Evangelical Controversies [Paperback]

Darrell L. Bock (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0830827250 | ISBN-13: 978-0830827251 | Publication Date: November 2002

When the stakes are high, evangelicals don't often engage each other well.How should evangelicals grapple with controversial issues? What methods and principles should direct theological conversations, especially when evangelicals from various backgrounds come together? These are the questions Darrell Bock addresses in this important and thoughtful book.Setting his discussion "somewhere between modernism and postmodernism," Bock proposes a way through the philosphical maze. He addresses the concern for theological boundaries but also emhasizes the need to take into account the differing purposes for evangelical denominational and interdenominational institutions, especially scholarly organizations such as the Evangelical Theological Society. Most important, Bock recalls the church's scholars to their mandate for cultural engagement. He warns against diverting our efforts by putting too much energy into intramural controversies and identifies areas of potential cultural impact now opening up to evangelical scholarship. Written by a concerned, informed and visionary leader, this is a book for all those concerned about evangelical theology, scholarship and the church with its missional mandate.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830827250
• ISBN-13: 978-0830827251
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,899,477 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Darrell L. Bock (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is professor of New Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prioritizing Purpose, February 10, 2003

By 

Michael Thompson (Elkhart, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Purpose-Directed Theology: Getting Our Priorities Right in Evangelical Controversies (Paperback)

At a time when evangelicals need to learn how to embrace diversity, Dr. Bock's "Purpose-Driven Theology" arrives on the scene. This is an expansion of sorts of his 2002 presidential address at the Evangelical Theological Society annual meeting in Colorado Springs.

This book seeks to establish boundaries inside which evangelicals can engage each other in theological dialogue, realizing that the church is not the academy and the academy is not the church. Special emphasis is also placed upon the role of theological societies and organizations as they seek to find the proper balance of ecclesiastical approach and adacemic freedom.

This book serves to call evangelicals to unity amidst the diversity that is a reality. As Bock points out, we often waste too much time and effort in controversies among ourselves while losing our voice and opportunity to impact the culture with the Gospel.

Finally, the book has a thrust of prayer and discernment on matters on which Christians differ (mainly,evangelicals). What is important is that we not act too quickly and harshly on such matters. "The church has been around for two thousand years. God has cared for it well up to this point. We do not need to come to an instant judgment."

This book calls for strength and unity while preserving our diversity and distinctiveness. It also calls for thoughtful boundaries in which theologians can tenaciously seek the face of God.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Plea For Cordial Conversations Between Evangelical Scholars, July 7, 2006

By 

Marc Axelrod (Potter, Wi USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Purpose-Directed Theology: Getting Our Priorities Right in Evangelical Controversies (Paperback)

I had no idea that there were such spirited debates going on in the Evangelical Theological Society. But for the last five years, there has been vigorous discussion among Society members about God's foreknowledge. Does God know everything about the future, or does He only know some things as probabilities? Can God change His mind about the future?

Some who have engaged in this debate have been less than charitable, and this concerns Darrell Bock. He wants to make it clear that evangelical scholars, of all people, should model compassionate and caring dialogue. We need to major on the majors and disagree agreeably on the minors (if we must disagree at all.)

This is a good reminder and a good challenge from Dr. Darrell Bock.