Biblical Theology

Biblical Theology: Understanding the Story of Scripture

Biblical theology is a discipline that seeks to understand the Bible as a unified narrative, presenting God’s redemptive plan through history. It differs from systematic theology in that it traces the themes, covenants, and promises of God as they unfold progressively across Scripture. Rather than organizing theological doctrines topically, biblical theology follows the storyline of the Bible, examining how God reveals Himself and His will over time.

This article will explore biblical theology by first defining the discipline, then tracing its development throughout the Old and New Testaments, and finally examining its central themes.

1. Definition of Biblical Theology

Biblical theology is the study of Scripture as a unified, coherent whole. It acknowledges the diversity of the individual books of the Bible, but also recognizes the overarching unity within them. In other words, while each book of the Bible was written in a particular historical context and reflects different literary genres, authors, and audiences, biblical theology sees these diverse parts as contributing to a single, unfolding divine narrative.

The discipline of biblical theology emphasizes the historical and redemptive progression of God’s dealings with humanity. The main focus is to understand the Bible as a story—one that moves from creation, to fall, to redemption, and ultimately to restoration. This story finds its climax in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Key figures who have contributed to the development of biblical theology include Geerhardus Vos, Herman Ridderbos, and N.T. Wright. These scholars have emphasized the importance of seeing the Bible as a narrative that progressively reveals God’s redemptive purposes.

2. The Storyline of the Bible

Biblical theology is organized around the major events and themes of the Bible. Understanding how these key events connect with one another is essential for grasping the unified message of Scripture.

Creation

The Bible begins with the story of creation in Genesis 1–2. Here, God creates the heavens and the earth, and everything within them, culminating in the creation of humanity, made in His image. This act establishes God as the sovereign Creator and the rightful ruler of the world. The creation account also introduces humanity’s purpose: to worship God, to work in His creation, and to enjoy fellowship with Him.

In biblical theology, the doctrine of creation is foundational. Everything that follows in Scripture, including the themes of covenant, redemption, and restoration, builds on this foundation.

The Fall

Genesis 3 introduces the fall, which marks humanity’s rebellion against God through sin. Adam and Eve’s disobedience brings sin, death, and separation from God into the world, distorting the good order of creation. This event is critical in biblical theology because it sets the stage for the rest of the biblical narrative: the need for redemption and restoration.

The fall affects not only individuals but the entire creation. The theme of human sinfulness and the resulting curse becomes a central thread in the unfolding story of the Bible.

Covenant

In response to the fall, God begins to reveal His plan for redemption through covenants. A covenant is a binding promise between God and humanity, in which God makes commitments to His people, and they respond in faith and obedience. Biblical theology traces the development of God’s covenants throughout the Bible as a central theme of His relationship with humanity.

• The Noahic Covenant: After the flood, God promises Noah that He will never again destroy the earth by a flood (Genesis 9:8–17). This covenant is a reminder of God’s mercy and faithfulness, even in the face of human sin.

• The Abrahamic Covenant: God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3; 15:1–21; 17:1–14) is foundational in biblical theology. God promises Abraham land, descendants, and that through him, all the nations of the earth will be blessed. This covenant establishes Israel as the people through whom God will bring salvation to the world.

• The Mosaic Covenant: At Mount Sinai, God gives Israel His law (Exodus 19–24), which is part of the covenant with the nation of Israel. The law sets Israel apart as God’s holy people, and it reveals God’s righteous standards. However, the people of Israel fail to keep the covenant, highlighting the need for a greater Savior.

• The Davidic Covenant: God promises David an everlasting kingdom and that one of his descendants will sit on the throne forever (2 Samuel 7). This covenant points forward to the coming of the Messiah, who will fulfill God’s promises to David.

• The New Covenant: In the prophets, especially Jeremiah and Ezekiel, God promises a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 36:26–27). This covenant will involve the internal transformation of God’s people, as He writes His law on their hearts and gives them His Spirit. The New Covenant is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Redemption

Redemption is the heart of the biblical narrative. The entire Old Testament points forward to the coming Redeemer, while the New Testament reveals the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan in Jesus Christ.

• The Exodus: The exodus from Egypt is one of the most important redemptive events in the Old Testament. It demonstrates God’s power to save His people and sets the stage for the establishment of Israel as a nation under God’s rule. The exodus is often seen as a type of Christ’s greater work of redemption, in which He delivers His people from sin and death.

• The Sacrificial System: The law of Moses includes a system of sacrifices, which provides temporary atonement for the sins of the people (Leviticus 1–7). However, these sacrifices were ultimately insufficient to take away sin completely, pointing forward to the need for a perfect sacrifice.

• Jesus Christ: The New Testament reveals Jesus as the fulfillment of all the Old Testament promises. He is the true offspring of Abraham, the true King in the line of David, and the perfect sacrifice who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus redeems humanity from the curse of sin and reconciles believers to God.

Restoration

The final stage of the biblical narrative is restoration, in which God brings His creation back to its original purpose. This theme is developed in the prophets, who foretell a future day when God will establish His kingdom and renew the earth.

• The Prophets: The Old Testament prophets often spoke of a future hope beyond judgment, where God would restore His people and establish a new covenant. Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel all look forward to a time when God’s kingdom will come in fullness, and righteousness will reign.

• The Second Coming: The New Testament looks forward to the return of Christ, when He will fully establish His kingdom and bring about the final restoration of all things. Revelation 21–22 paints a picture of the new heavens and the new earth, where God will dwell with His people forever, and there will be no more death, sorrow, or pain.

3. Central Themes of Biblical Theology

Several recurring themes run throughout the Bible and help to unify its message. These themes are essential to understanding the nature of God’s work in history and His relationship with humanity.

Kingdom of God

The kingdom of God is a central theme in biblical theology. From the beginning of creation, God establishes His kingdom by ruling over the world He created. However, with the fall of humanity, God’s rule is challenged by sin and rebellion. Throughout the Bible, God works to restore His kingdom by redeeming a people for Himself and ultimately bringing about His reign on earth.

Jesus’ teaching in the Gospels emphasizes the coming of the kingdom, both in the present through His ministry and in the future at His return.

Covenant

As previously discussed, the theme of covenant is foundational in biblical theology. God’s covenants with humanity structure the storyline of the Bible and reveal His character as faithful and merciful. The covenants build on one another, culminating in the new covenant through Christ.

The Messiah

The figure of the Messiah, the anointed one, is central to the Bible’s storyline. The Old Testament anticipates the coming of the Messiah, while the New Testament reveals Jesus as the fulfillment of those expectations. Jesus is the true King, the suffering Servant, and the victorious Redeemer who accomplishes God’s purposes for His people.

Sacrifice and Atonement

The Bible presents a pattern of sacrifice and atonement that runs from the Old Testament sacrificial system to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Sacrifice is necessary for the atonement of sin, and Jesus’ death is the perfect and final sacrifice that provides eternal redemption for God’s people.

The People of God

From Israel in the Old Testament to the Church in the New Testament, God has always been at work gathering a people for Himself. Biblical theology emphasizes the continuity between Israel and the Church, seeing both as part of God’s redemptive plan. Ultimately, God’s people will be a diverse community from every nation, tribe, and tongue, united in Christ.

Conclusion

Biblical theology offers a rich and meaningful way to understand Scripture. By tracing the development of themes, covenants, and promises throughout the Bible, this discipline helps us see how God’s plan for salvation unfolds across history. From creation to the new creation, the Bible tells one story of God’s redemptive work through Jesus Christ.

Understanding biblical theology deepens our appreciation for the coherence of Scripture and its relevance to our lives. It shows us that the Bible is not merely a collection of disconnected stories, but a unified narrative that reveals the character of God and His purpose for humanity. Ultimately, biblical theology invites us to see our own lives as part of God’s unfolding plan, with the hope of final restoration in the new heavens and the new earth.