Evangelical Theology is a systematic theology written from the
perspective of a biblical scholar. Michael F. Bird contends that the
center, unity, and boundary of the evangelical faith is the evangel (=
gospel), as opposed to things like justification by faith or inerrancy.
The evangel is the unifying thread in evangelical theology and the
theological hermeneutic through which the various loci of theology need
to be understood.
Using the gospel as a theological leitmotif--an approach to Christian
doctrine that begins with the gospel and sees each loci through the lens
of the gospel--this text presents an authentically evangelical theology,
as opposed to an ordinary systematic theology written by an evangelical
theologian.
According to the author, theology is the drama of
gospelizing--performing and living out the gospel in the theatre of
Christian life. The text features tables, sidebars, and questions for
discussion. The end of every part includes a "What to Take Home" section
that gives students a run-down on what they need to know. And since
reading theology can often be dry and cerebral, the author applies his
unique sense of humor in occasional "Comic Belief" sections so that
students may enjoy their learning experience through some theological
humor added for good measure.