IWU Professor Scott Burson to Release New Book, All about the Bass: Searching for Treble in the Midst of a Pounding Culture War

In June, Professor of Philosophical Theology Dr. Scott Burson will release his third book, All about the Bass: Searching for Treble in the Midst of a Pounding Culture War. His first two books are titled Brian McLaren in Focus: A New Kind of Apologetics and C.S. Lewis and Francis Schaeffer: Lessons for a New Century from the Most Influential Apologists of Our Time.

In 2017, at IWU’s inaugural Day of Courageous Conversations – an annual, day-long event – Dr. Burson gave a talk which inspired the writing of the book. He took a sabbatical earlier this year complete All about the Bass.

“All about the Bass offers 10 action steps designed to turn up the treble of compassion without sacrificing the bass of righteous conviction,” Dr. Burson said. “Ultimately, this book is an attempt to offer faithful sheet music to Christ-followers who long to sing a better song to our broken and needy world — a song of harmonious, compassionate conviction.”

In the book, Dr. Burson included personal stories from his life and time as a professor. He says his students sharpened his thinking as they engaged with the material and inspired him with their love for not only family and friends, but also enemies.

Russ Gunsalus, the Executive Director of Education and Clergy Development for The Wesleyan Church, wrote the Foreword to the book.

“In a culture defined by greater anger, louder voices, and stronger indignation, Scott Burson offers a different way for Christians to engage the world around them” IWU Chancellor Rod Reed said. “He counters the fallacies of our time with a call for humility, empathy, and relational generosity – in other words, with the way of Jesus. Our interactions, both in person and online, will benefit greatly if we heed his words.”

Currently, Dr. Burson is working with a group of students to put out a study guide for use in small groups and Sunday School classes. In September, Dr. Burson will release the All About the Bass podcast, featuring stories of reconciliation and conversations with people that choose compassionate conviction.

All About the Bass is now available for purchase here and will also be released on Amazon in mid-June. Dr. Burson also plans to release an audiobook version that will be available on Audible, Apple Books, and Amazon in the coming months.

For more information about All about the Bass, visit https://www.allaboutthebass.net/.
For more information about IWU’s School of Theology and Ministry, visit https://www.indwes.edu/undergraduate/school-of-theology-and-ministry/.