The Purpose-Driven ETS: Where Should We Go? A Look At Jesus Studies And Other Example Cases -- By: Darrell L. Bock

Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 45:1 (Mar 2002)
Article: The Purpose-Driven ETS: Where Should We Go? A Look At Jesus Studies And Other Example Cases
Author: Darrell L. Bock


The Purpose-Driven ETS: Where Should We Go?
A Look At Jesus Studies And Other Example Cases

Darrell L. Bock*

* Darrell Bock, research professor of New Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary, 3909 Swiss Ave., Dallas, TX 75204, delivered this presidential address at the 53d annual meeting of the ETS on November 14, 2001, in Colorado Springs, CO.

Certainly, mankind without Christianity conjures up a dismal prospect. The record of mankind with Christianity is daunting enough…. In the last generation, with public Christianity in headlong retreat, we have caught our first, distant view of a de-christianized world, and it is not encouraging.1

I. Introduction: On Boundaries—A Divine Vow
And The Purpose-Driven ETS

Our theme this year is boundary-setting. So I want to consider how we should discuss questions about drawing boundaries. Is our obligation only to the truth? Does the way we argue for the truth matter, not just in terms of method and the “biblical facts” but also in terms of how we address each other? Should our goal in the ETS be to draw more boundaries or something else? If more boundaries are to be drawn, then how should it be done—ad hoc one issue at a time or in a wholesale revision of our statement? More fundamentally, what was the purpose of the ETS in forming an organization in 1949 that accepted people from a wide variety of ecclesiastical traditions? Why did ETS hold to one value primarily at its founding, namely, a commitment to the Bible as the inerrant Word of God, a value worth reaffirming? Should the ETS function in a way that provides a niche for evangelicalism that is more difficult to place in another evangelical locale?

I will contend that our role in the ETS is unique, and so our response to contentious issues must be earnest about the truth and open to its possible configurations. That response also must be measured in how we come to judgments on hard boundaries. More importantly, I would plead that in our pursuit of internal reflection we do not lose sight of another crucial aspect of our call, that of being a servant to the church at large and that of being a witness in the world. We balance two major concerns in this Society: (1) a pursuit and affirmation of truth; and (2) a scholarly study that prepares the church to live christianly and to address a needy world. We need to be careful that both stay on our radar screen.

There are lessons we can learn from the history of evangelicalism, from the history of the ETS, and from the possibilities that exist for evangelicals today. These lessons will help us steer clear of a penchant to be too self-absor...

You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
Click here to subscribe
visitor : : uid: ()