Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 178:711 (Jul 2021)
Article: The Table Briefing: Engaging Issues Of God And Culture
Author: Darrell L. Bock

BSac 178:711 (July-September 2021) p. 351

The Table Briefing: Engaging Issues Of God And Culture

Darrell L. Bock

and

Mikel Del Rosario

Darrell L. Bock is Senior Research Professor in New Testament Studies and Executive Director for Cultural Engagement at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. Mikel Del Rosario is Project Manager for Cultural Engagement and Adjunct Professor of Media Arts and Worship at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Over the past decade, we have discussed issues of God and culture on The Table Podcast in order to highlight the relationship of theology to all of life—including areas that can be challenging for believers when it comes to engagement in the public square. In this briefing, we note two key areas that are especially challenging for the church today: sexuality and race. We also suggest a way to begin helping people develop an openness to considering the truth of Christianity—especially when they do not seem immediately interested in questions about the rationality or reasonableness of the faith.

Engaging Conversations About Sexuality

At a cultural engagement chapel celebrating ten years of The Table Podcast, a Dallas Seminary student asked this question: “Based on the conversations you have hosted over the last few years, what do you think is the most difficult challenge to the church today?” Bock responded by mentioning two specific areas of engagement:

Bock: Sexuality and race. Both of them are difficult. [It can be challenging to develop] a sense of empathy for people whose life [stories are] very different than your own . . . at least in regard to sexuality.

BSac 178:711 (July-September 2021) p. 352

Some of those discussions [of] values [that] are very different than your own [are] challeng[ing] and [we must make an] effort to connect with people. . . . One thing we try never to lose sight of on The Table is [that] there’s a mission that we’ve been given by our Lord, which is to go into the world and make disciples. [He] doesn’t say, “Go into the church and make disciples,” which means that we are called to go out into the world and meet people who need what the gospel has to offer, just as we needed what the gospel has to offer. And we’re supposed to never forget that and make an offer to them that says, “God is going to challenge you in the way that you’ve been living on the one hand. But I guarantee you, the life that he’s going to give you is going to be a much better deal.” And to do that in some of these areas, where so much of a person’s identity is at stake, is a real challenge.

To help the church better engage issues surrounding sexuality and gender identity,...