Journal: Southeastern Theological Review
Volume: STR 06:2 (Winter 2015)
Article: Theological Aesthetics: Some Reflections On Michael Bird’s Evangelical Theology: A Biblical And Systematic Introduction
Author: Kelly M. Kapic

STR 6:2 (Winter 2015) p. 185

Theological Aesthetics: Some Reflections On Michael Bird’s Evangelical Theology:
A Biblical And Systematic Introduction

Kelly M. Kapic

Covenant College

Introduction

How should we go about the task of constructing a Christian Theology that is both biblical and systematic? Answering this question may be far more difficult than many realize. Often we imagine that only the content of what is said is important, but in truth that is an incomplete picture. What matters is not only what you say, but how and when you say it. In this way, constructing a Systematic theology involves cultivating a theological aesthetic. Having gone through Michael Bird’s fresh volume, Evangelical Theology: A Biblical and Systematic Theology, I have decided to use my limited time to focus on what might roughly come under the heading of aesthetics. Accordingly, I will concentrate here on the “how” and “when” rather than the “what,” since aesthetics does matter in theological discourse.

How

As is well known, Karl Barth memorably wrote, “The theologian who has no joy in his work is not a theologian at all. Sulky faces, morose thoughts and boring ways of speaking are intolerable in this science.”1 As theologians, we love this quote. But this reminds me a bit of something Steve Brown—the wonderfully funny and yet raw pastor—was once told by a listener: “lots of preachers say they are sinners, but you are the first one I really believe.” Lots of us theologians say we shouldn’t be boring or sulky in our theology, but Bird is one of the few that readers will think actually is joyful, free, and engaging. If we are honest, how often is our writing genuinely riveting, drawing readers in rather than speaking with uninspired tones that lull our students to sleep and subtly communicate

STR 6:2 (Winter 2015) p. 186

that these matters are merely abstractions with little practical significance? Are we so fearful of making missteps that we weaken our message by dulling our words, stifling our imaginations, and in the process lose the awe and joy of the task before us? Such a charge most certainly cannot be levied against Michael Bird, which is amazing given that we are discussing an 800-page tome. Whatever one thinks of Bird’s content, let us give him credit; he writes an introductory theology that clearly communicates that he is full of joy about his task and his Lord. That is no small accomplishment.

This book, for the most part, is quick paced, readable, accessible, and clever. Most notable (and probably controversial) is Bird’s humor, which I suspect would almost be impossible for him to hide—...