Michael Bird, Why Would A Biblical Scholar Like You Write A Systematic Theology?

That's a good question! One Mike Bird has asked himself, he says in a new video introducing his new book Evangelical Theology.

So what would compel a biblical scholar like Bird to write a systematic theology like Evangelical Theology? "Because at the end of the day" Bird says, "just to repeat what the text says is not enough. You've got to ask the important questions: So what? What difference does this make? What can we take away from this?"

As a pastor and theologian I appreciate this answer and this video. Historical Jesus quests are great. Discovering the new (or newest!) perspective on Paul is important, especially when it involves arresting his original 1st century Jewish context. Understanding the Synoptic problem and various theories of Q is needed. But at the end of the day, what do they matter to the person staring back at me looking for a word from God Sunday morning? How do they lead to helping Christians articulate a Christian worldview?

Don't get me wrong, they're important. And as a biblical scholar Bird helps package all of these biblical issues together in a way that also articulates the Church's most pressing theological issues. Enjoy this third video (as well as the first and second) introducing his new systematic theology and then pre-order this new gem of a resource!

-Jeremy Bouma, ThM (@bouma) 

Can't see the video? Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SugHaSl_HrM.