The layout of the individual chapters is very instructive in understanding the theological mindset of evangelicals. After setting out a brief introduction, often with an anecdotal story to place the theological issue in a real world context, Boyd and Eddy outline �the Center and Its Contrasts.� Thus, they begin the theological discussion by establishing the common ground and the areas of agreement surrounding each discussion. This proves to be a vital part of each chapter, as it keeps the reader from focusing too much on the disagreements, but instead starts with a focus on the common ground. I believe this reflects the evangelical approach to theology. Although an exact definition of �evangelical� may be difficult to establish, there is a sense in which the Bible is upheld as the inspired and authoritative Word of God, Jesus Christ is the Way, Truth and Life, and is the only way to Truth and Life. Thus, evangelicals have a strong evangelistic implulse, as reflected in Billy Graham and other prominent evangelical evangelists. Evangelicals may disagree on some theological understandings and implications of the gospel, but they also agree on the message. Thus, the world of evangelical theology is one of agreement, as well as disagreement. The church that I am a part of, the Evangelical Free Church, reflects this theological orientation in its statement of faith. Instead of having a book of confessions and documents, the statement of faith consists of twelve points to which the church holds. These easily fit on a page, and each is one or two relatively brief sentences. This reflects the motto that agreement is sought on the essentials, and grace for everything else. This is not to minimize the importance of the discussions that occur surrounding these �less� essential elements of church doctrine, nor to overlook the importance of confessions and creeds to the formation and understanding of the Christian faith, but to instead emphasize the commitment, before these discussions start, to the message of the gospel.
After a section about the center, and a brief outline of the contrasting positions, Boyd and Eddy place essays defending each of the contrasting positions. The first section, after a brief introduction, is �The Biblical Argument.� This first section is always the most substantial, and is where the argument is essentially made. This reflects the fact that the Scripture is seen as normative for matters of theology. After the section on the Biblical basis for the position, Boyd and Eddy place a section of supporting arguments. These often include references to church tradition, as well as arguments from reason and philosophy, but these arguments are clearly subordinated to the Biblical arguments, and are used as further evidence, and do not consist of the pivotal arguments for each point.
One important thing that I think can be learned from reading Across the Spectrum is the diversity of views that can exist, while at the same time adhering to the authority and inspiration of the Bible. Although there is some difference as to how the Bible is viewed among evangelicals, as the first chapter on the inerrancy vs. infallibility debate gives evidence, almost all of the issues that Boyd and Eddy discuss arise out of using different texts (or sometimes the same text) in different ways. It serves to emphasize the diversity of the biblical literature. There are often texts or views that seem to conflict, or at least seem to point in different directions. One important discussion which comes out of this is how the Bible is to be used. For instance, should narrative sections be given the same weight as more straightforward statements concerning the nature of God. Do examples where God changes His mind carry the same authority as texts that say God does not change? Agreeing on the authority of the Bible for matters of theology gives evangelicals a large area of common ground upon which to stand, and also provides a foundation for discussion of disagreements. Yet, as Across the Spectrum clearly points out, the Bible is a book of diverse literature, spanning many centuries, with a variety of settings and issues that it addresses. This means that it does not always present a simple statement on points of doctrine, but instead often leads us to more complex theological understandings, as we seek to uphold the integrity and authority of the whole of scripture.
