Dogma Wednesday: Biblical Theology

When the word "theology" is mentioned, what comes to your mind? Maybe you think of some old decrepit man in a cottage in the middle of the Swiss Alps, knocking on the books and becoming the most useless know-it-all of all time. Or, perhaps, you think of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Johns--John Piper, John MacArthur, and John Calvin. Or, you picture in your mind a conference stage with the big guys like Mark Dever, Kevin Deyoung, H.B. Charles, and Al Mohler sitting on it. Or, you think of that annoying kid in the youth group who has been forever banned from the Bible trivia game because he knows every stinking question you throw at him.

But, let me tell you, reader, you are only half correct. Because, as its been said by many different people, most notably R.C. Sproul, everyone is a theologian, including you. When you answer the question, "who is Jesus?", you have immediately started to theologize. Scholars have made categories for different kinds of theology. There is historical, traditional, and systematic theology. But, what I want to expose to you is biblical theology. Now, just because its biblical does not mean it is the more correct theology. Biblical theology is simply a different approach from the other three. Therefore, as stated before, you can be a biblical theologian too.

What is Biblical Theology?

Biblical theology is an approach to the Scripture that studies how its parts relate to the whole. Authors such as Peter Gentry, Stephen Wellum, Greg Beale, Graeme Goldsworthy, and Trent Hunter have written numerous volumes that delineate how the Redemptive Story has progressed.

Biblical theology can be used as a tool in hermeneutics that, although not abolishing a grammatical-historical approach, sort of goes beyond it. Sure, the biblical theologian takes into consideration original authorial intent for the original audience. If he does not use the grammatical-historical approach, he fails to complete the first step of doing biblical theology. But, after understanding the context and intended meaning of the passage, a biblical theologian strives to connect the individual verse or chapter with the rest of Scripture. He wants to know how the either acknowledges what came before or anticipate what lies ahead.

The Difference Between Biblical and Systematic Theology

The difference between biblical and systematic theology really lies in how one approaches Scripture. As stated earlier, biblical theology takes an approach of understanding the individual parts of Scriptures and relating them to the general whole. Systematic theology, on the other hand, studies how parts of Scriptures relate to other parts. Putting the parts together, a systematic theologian derives a logical conclusion (a doctrine) from the two parts. It seems that systematic theology uses deductive reasoning much more than biblical theology.

Take John 3:16 for example. A biblical theologian, studies how the passage fits into the larger context of Redemptive history. In its context, we see Jesus saying that just as Moses lifted up the bronze serpent in the wilderness, so will the Son of Man. Jesus is helping the interpreter out in doing biblical theology. He, through the writing of John acknowledges what came before. The biblical theologian, in reading John 3:16 looks at how it fits into the full story of the bible of a broken creation being restored through the person and work of Jesus.

Systematic theology, however, takes John 3:16 and its numerous aspects, partners it with another passage, and comes to a logical conclusion about God, man, Christ, salvation, etc. Unfortunately, a systematic (and possibly biblical) theologian can often fall into a habit of ripping a passage such as John 3:16 out of its context, and therefore, its intended meaning. Instead of letting Scripture interpret or speak for itself, he places on it a meaning which the author never intended.

Neither one of these approaches are "better than each other." Each serve as a great tool for both the preacher and the everyday theologian. Systematic theology, however, is probably the instant connotation when the word "theology" is mentioned.

The Grand Story of Redemption

Many people, lay and clergy alike, fail to recognize that the Bible, although consisting of numerous different stories written by over 40 different authors, is one Grand Redemptive Story of God's work throughout history. A biblical theologian recognizes Scripture's movement as one cohesive work of literature. He studies Scripture with an understanding of the way in which it moves--with the epochs that define Redemptive history.

Although the epochs of the Bible can be understood with acute specificity (the covenants of Redemption), its story can be relayed in three simple terms: Creation, Fall, Redemption. Genesis 3:15, the protoevangelium, gives the succinct overarching story of Redemption, even before it plays out. Everything was perfect when it was first created. Man shared a perfect relationship with God and with each other. And yet, he rebelled against God, wanting complete autonomy, and therefore plunged all creation into a cycle of sin, death, and destruction. But God gives hope in His judgment of the serpent that the seed of the woman would one day redeem her by crushing the head of the serpent.

Biblical theology, though in many different forms, if done correctly, recognizes the overarching trajectory of the Bible that Genesis 3:15 proclaims. Every other narrative, epic, proverb, prophecy, or psalm fits into that overarching story. Because of this, I believe that Christo-centric and Christo-telic hermeneutics and preaching sit on biblical foundations. If the Bible, from the beginning to the end, interprets and preaches itself as a story that culminates in Christ redeeming all things through Himself, it would be wrong (unbiblical) for us to do any differently.

Dogma to Pragma: How Does One "Do" Biblical Theology?

Very simply biblical theology can be done by the everyday Bible reader or interpreter. It is not a skill that is just left to the lofty theologian sitting in a tower somewhere in Geneva. No, anyone can be a theologian. And more specifically, anyone can be a biblical theologian. All it takes is a simple question: how does this verse, this chapter, or this book fit into the grand story of the Bible? If you start with that question, you will begin to see the ways in which God, through His Word and His work, is bringing people to himself and redeeming all things through His Son.