Shepherd the Flock

It has only been within the last two years or so that I have been introduced to Biblical Theology, and I have quickly come to enjoy it immensely. In my own experience, it has produced a Christ-centered, Gospel-centered view on scripture that has rescued me from many errors.

I have found, however, that few people understand the term ‘Biblical Theology, and what it actually entails. The fact that this science has been largely delegated only to the experienced student or theologian is a tragic thing, in my opinion. How I wish this method of interpreting scripture were more common among the simple layman! What blatant errors of biblical interpretation/application would be avoided!

So I found the definition below to be very helpful in illustrating what exactly we mean when we say ‘Biblical Theology’:

From Ligon Duncan,

“What is biblical theology?” Simply, it is a survey of the whole picture. But from what perspective? Yes, redemptive history is the key there. Biblical theology is the study of the history of redemption from the perspective of a particular theological theme traced through the eras of that history of redemption.

For instance, you might want to study the holiness of God, and ask the question, “What was revealed about the holiness of God in the Patriarchal era?” And then compare that to what was revealed about the holiness of God in the Mosaic era. And then compare that to what was revealed about the holiness of God in the Prophetic era. And what have you just done? You have just done a redemptive historical study of how God unfolded the one truth about His holiness over time. You have just done a biblical theological study. You are paying special attention to what God revealed during certain times. When you are studying biblical theology, you are picking the Bible up and you are asking, “What does the progress of redemption help me understand about this particular biblical topic?” So it is a study of special revelation from a redemptive historical perspective.”

Some recommended reading regarding the introduction and study of Biblical Theology:

• Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture, by Graeme Goldsworthy
• Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, by Geerhardus Vos
• Him We Proclaim: Preaching Christ from All the Scriptures, by Dennis Johnson
• The Pauline Eschatology, by Geerhardus Vos
• According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible, by Graeme Goldsworthy
• An Old Testament Theology, by Bruce K. Waltke
• Promises Made: The Message of the Old Testament, by Mark Dever