Crossway releases Confident Witness, edited by Dockery
On Nov. 12, Crossway released the book Confident Witness: Evangelism & Apologetics for the 21st Century, edited by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s President David S. Dockery.
The book is comprised of 17 essays written by leaders in Christian higher education with the goal of equipping college students, and those who minister to college-aged students, who may feel that they are not qualified or prepared to share their faith.
“Responses related to the book have been extremely positive,” said Dockery, noting the book has already been used in manuscript form as a textbook at one Christian college with “encouraging” results.
In the book’s introduction, Dockery said the volume “is an attempt to help people understand better the meaning of the gospel and the need for taking this gospel message to others, whether across the street or around the world. It is written particularly for college students and for those who serve on college campuses, serving as a reminder of the importance of evangelism and apologetics (making a reasoned defense of Christianity), especially in our pluralistic and secular contexts, in which an implicit form of universalism seems to be prevalent.”
The essays written by various Christian scholars delve into the importance of evangelism across generations and cover topics such as the theological foundation of evangelism, discipleship and apologetics, evangelism in church history, and evangelism in a post-Christian context.
Dockery said the book strives to help readers recognize Who Jesus is and what He has done through His redemptive work on the cross, reconciling people to God and now sitting enthroned at God’s right hand as the head of the church.
“The authors have joined together to show how evangelism and apologetics provide a testimony to this good news and thanksgiving for what Jesus Christ has done for us,” Dockery said. “Moreover, it is a testimony of an expression of our renewed desire to take the gospel to our neighbors and to the nations.”
The chapters connect evangelism to history, Scripture, prayer, the global church, the post-Christian West, and other topics.
Confident Witness is available for purchase and has received recommendations from a variety of scholars and practitioners from academic and ministry areas.
“David Dockery has assembled an A-team of scholars and practitioners to contribute to this work,” said Timothy Beougher, Billy Graham professor of evangelism at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. “They know the Christian college setting well and speak powerfully into that unique context. Colleges shape leaders for society and the church, and I am grateful students will have this excellent resource from which to glean much wisdom in evangelism and apologetics.”
Carl Bradford, dean of Texas Baptist College, said the book “conveys indispensable insight tailored to Christian college students, serving as a cornerstone resource for those navigating the intersection of faith and academia. Confident Witness is a timely addition to the shelves of any student serious about Gospel engagement.”
Contributors to the volume include Harry Poe, Erik Thoennes, Christopher Morgan, and Dan Dewitt, as well as former Southwestern faculty, Travis Dickinson and Robert Sloan, and alumni Susan Booth and Anna Daub.
The book can be purchased here.
