Endorsements for Second Edition of Evangelical Theology

The second edition of Evangelical Theology is available on 20 October 2020!

Here’s some of the endorsements for the second edition.

“I warmly welcome this second edition of Mike Bird’s Evangelical Theology. The gospel both generates and governs Christian faith, but systematic theologies sometimes smother it under the weight of conceptual schemes, confessional traditions, or social agendas. Not on Bird’s watch. The gospel is front and center in all eight parts of this thoroughly revised, wiser, wider, and wittier work. With its persistent focus on the meaning and significance of the gospel of Jesus Christ, this book may be the tonic we need to rescue the term ‘evangelical’ from being either drained of meaning altogether or linked to something less than the cause of Jesus and his coming kingdom.”

—KEVIN VANHOOZER, research professor of systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“Students of evangelical theology should welcome this second, revised and expanded version of Michael Bird’s widely read text. In his inimitable style, with wide-ranging engagement with sources old and news, as well as impressive clarity and verve, Bird here offers a fetching and substantive account of Christian theology. Those looking to find their way through the thickets of contemporary evangelical teaching will be well-served by Bird’s guidance.”

—PHILIP G. ZIEGLER, Professor of Christian dogmatics, University of Aberdeen.

“You need this ecumenical systematic theology on your bookshelf—one that begins, centers, and ends with the gospel. This is the lens that both laypeople and academics need to bring into focus what God is revealing to us in his word. Not only does Mike Bird give that, but he makes it both fun and challenging to read as he humbly interacts with theologians past and present on the content of our faith. He’s the fun uncle that has crashed the stodgy family party, showing what is both real and exciting about our heritage in Christ.”

—AIMEE BYRD, author of Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and Why Can’t We Be Friends?

“Michael Bird seeks to place evangelical theology on surer footing by engaging with the best in the Christian tradition, and he succeeds admirably. This new edition incorporates conversations with the global church. Its conversational style makes it highly readable and unique for a systematic theology. I will not hesitate to recommend it as a course textbook.”

—SIMON CHAN, Trinity Theological College, Singapore

“My friend Michael Bird is a gift to the Evangelical church. His sheer brilliance and witty humor is breath of fresh air. Reading Evangelical Theology is an adventure. It’s really, really good. I believe it is so because Bird-man writes, “I unabashedly believe that the good news of Jesus Christ is the most important doctrine.” This book must be in your theological library. You will return to it again and again.”

—DERWIN L. GRAY, founding & lead pastor of Transformation Church, author of The Good Life: What Jesus Teaches About Finding True Happiness

“For years, I have frequently and enthusiastically recommended this book to students for its comprehensive and fair treatment of key issues in Christian doctrine and practice. Now with more diverse dialogue partners and even more robust treatments of key issues in the ever-developing world of theology, I have even more reasons to do so. Bird simply keeps readers’ attention on the Gospel, as he exhaustively equips us to learn it well so we can live it well.”

—AMY PEELER, associate professor of New Testament, Wheaton College

“Mike Bird’s second edition of the already potent Evangelical Theology has gained impressive horsepower. With the first edition I had at last found a text that could engage and excite the theologically apathetic. I’m even more enthusiastic for students to dive into the second edition. The updated sources strengthen an already well-researched text in Bird’s always engaging style. His treatment of theological method provides long-overdue correctives for evangelicals. As he then models that method, he demonstrates how a gospel-driven approach to theology unleashes the power of theology across the loci. This text will benefit thoughtful Christians in both congregation and classroom; anchoring theological novices while stretching those whose theology has become domesticated.”

—DON J. PAYNE, associate professor of theology, Denver Seminary

“Evangelical Theology is a gift to God’s people.  The revised edition offers the biblical foundations and extensive historical perspectives of its original publication, along with a more substantive incorporation of theologians from the global South.  This robust theological exposition produces the intellectual, moral, and spiritual growth that fuels the personal and public witness of the Church.”

—WALTER R. STRICKLAND II, associate vice president for kingdom diversity initiatives &
assistant professor of systematic and contextual theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary