Evangelical Trends

The blog, ShaperIron has been running a series of short articles called: Directions in Evangelicalism. So far it has three parts (I’m not sure if they are going add anymore). They have done a good job of summarizing some of the big issues swirling around the theological scholars of the evangelical world, which in many indirect ways, affect all of us. I have linked each of the articles below, and added a few comments and thoughts of introduction to each.

Evangelical Trends, Part 1: A Report on the Evangelical Theological Society 2008

This concerns recent political doings at the annual ETS meeting. I find it interesting that the leaders of this process are well suited for the task; i.e., Al Mohler, of course, has the benefit of experience from within the political mechanisms of the Southern Baptist Convention. More importantly, Mohler raises an important question for ETS: “Is the ETS really a society about the study of evangelicalism rather than a group of evangelical scholars?” Read it here.

Evangelical Trends, Part 2: Biblical Criticism

Personally, I found this article to be the most helpful of the three. I have monitored from a distance the situation at Westminster with Peter Enns and have never really understood all the nuances of the problem. Bauder does a very helpful job of making sense of it here. Moreover, this issue of the nature of the Bible and hermeneutics is something that should be on our radar screens. Read it here.

Evangelical Trends, Part 3: The Gospel According to Scot

If the Gospel is important (that is a rhetorical question, just in case you doubt my orthodoxy), then this discussion is important. Scot is a prolific writer and is very popular amongst the young emergent-leaning, reform crowd. This assessment of his writing is useful. For a better perspective of the true nature of the “Gospel,” I encourage all to take the time to read or listen to the Carson presentation that I posted earlier in the week: The Gospel?

Indeed, it seems we do need to be “. . . working together for the truth” (3 John 8).

Blessings
Bill H