Biblical Theology
Tracing themes, such as holiness or justice, from one end of the Bible to the other is like lacing up a pair of shoes. When we pull on the laces, we see how the entire Bible holds together tightly and how these themes find their ultimate fulfillment and climax in Jesus Christ. While the resources on the page Interpreting Bible Passages focus on determining the meaning of individual passages of Scripture, the resources on this page focus on understanding how the whole Bible fits together and moves forward—to the end of the Bible and into eternity.
Dr. Andrew Naselli states that “biblical theology studies how the whole Bible progresses, integrates, and climaxes in Christ.” For example, he explains many ways that the theme of “holiness” is found in Scripture, such as: God is holy (Isa. 6:3), Adam and Eve lost their holiness by disobeying God (Gen. 3:1–7), Jesus is perfectly holy (Acts 3:14), Jesus makes people holy (or sets them apart) through his death (Heb. 10:10), Christians are responsible to be morally holy (1 Pet. 1:15–16), and Christians will be perfectly holy one day in the presence of God (1 Thess. 3:13; 1 John 3:2).*
The resources below explain how to do biblical theology and/or trace specific themes throughout Scripture.
*NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible: At the end of this study Bible, there are twenty-five biblical-theological essays that trace and explain themes throughout the Bible, such as “the glory of God,” “creation,” and “sin.” This is perhaps the best and fastest way to learn about biblical theology—by seeing it done well.
*New Dictionary of Biblical Theology by T. Desmond Alexander, Brian S. Rosner, D. A. Carson & Graeme Goldsworthy (eds.) (3 to 5): While the first two parts of the book are helpful, focus your attention on part three of this book, Biblical Themes, reading a page or two a day.
What Is Biblical Theology? by James M. Hamilton, Jr. (2 or 3): An accessible introduction to biblical theology. See his God’s Glory in Salvation Through Judgment (4) for his presentation of this central, unifying theme of the Bible.
*Biblical Theology by Nick Roark & Robert Cline (2 or 3): An excellent introduction to biblical theology, which includes chapters on how biblical theology shapes a church’s teaching and a church’s mission.
How to Understand and Apply the Old Testament by Jason S. DeRouchie (3 or 4) & How to Understand and Apply the New Testament by Andrew David Naselli (3): The authors include a chapter on biblical theology in their books. Probably the best, most concise explanations of biblical theology that I have read.
40 Questions About Biblical Theology by Jason DeRouchie, Oren Martin, & Andrew Naselli (3 or 4)
Invitation to Biblical Theology: Exploring the Shape, Storyline, and Themes of the Bible by Jeremy Kimble & Ched Spellman (3 or 4): “Invitation to Biblical Theology provides a thorough overview of biblical theology that is accessible for those new to the topic but substantial enough for advanced study. Defining biblical theology as “the study of the whole Bible on its own terms,” Jeremy Kimble and Ched Spellman begin with a brief history of the discipline followed by a survey of contemporary approaches. They then lay out their own approach, built on the framework of the canon, the covenants, and Christ.”
Christ from Beginning to End by Trent Hunter & Stephen Wellum (3 or 4): This book explains the story of the Bible from a biblical-theological perspective: from creation and the fall; through God’s covenants with Abraham, Moses, and David; and to Jesus, the church, and finally to the new creation itself. Per the subtitle of the book, the authors explain “How the Full Story of Scripture Reveals the Full Glory of Christ.” A brilliant, accessible book.
Series
Short Studies in Biblical Theology (edited by Miles Van Pelt & Dane C. Ortlund) (2 or 3)
Theology in Community (edited by Christopher W. Morgan & Robert A. Peterson) (3 or 4)
Essential Studies in Biblical Theology (edited by Benjamin L. Gladd) (4 or 5)
New Studies in Biblical Theology (edited by D. A. Carson) (4 or 5)
* How to Understand and Apply the New Testament, 231, 239–243.