A thought or two, on this and that

I've really enjoyed this book so far. I'm reading it as a part of a course at school. It's evangelical, but Ladd interacts with many of the more liberal scholars. It's refreshing to read a book which deals so well with both sides, rather than simply and quickly dismissing the other side (in this case the liberal scholars), simply because they are the "other side". All to often both sides throw out the baby with the bath water, much could and ought to be learned from either side (in any discussion, argument or controversy). Granted, the sides might never agree, but is that always the most important thing; to be right, or prove the other side wrong? I'm not promoting compromise or not taking a stand for orthodoxy and the Biblical essentials. I just think that all to often we muddle up what the true essentials are. Chrysostom said: "In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, charity. In all things, Jesus Christ." Nothing but a great big "AMEN!" can be added to that.