“…Vaughan Roberts and Graeme Goldsworthy explained the plotline of the Bible to me.”With a title such as “Biblical Theology” I am actually surprised that you have read this post as far as you have! It certainly doesn’t catch the imagination and fan the metaphorical flames of excitement. Christians tend to hear the words Biblical and Theology and either think “Organised Religion: eugh!” or “Good stuff… better left to the academics and uber-christians though!”
If I was to say words to the effect of ‘Biblical Theology is for normal Christians too!’ then I might just be driving the final nail into the coffin of the contemporary and relevant ethos which this blog has rather failed to achieve!
Well….I never was particularly contemporary or relevant anyway- so here it goes:
Biblical Theology is for normal Christians too!
The 2 books (and authors) which have most succinctly pointed me towards Biblical Theology and its relevance are:
- God’s Big Picture, Vaughan Roberts
- Gospel and Kingdom (The Goldsworthy Trilogy), Graeme Goldsworthy
During 2011, I read Gospel and Kingdom by Graeme Goldsworthy, having found it on a recommendation list. I quickly recognised the themes and basic principle behind the book. Turning back to the foreword in God’s Big Picture, I realised that Vaughan Roberts had actually written his own book as a layman’s version of Gospel and Kingdom. Reading the later (and more complex) of the two books, I better cemented my understanding of how the Gospel has affected the whole of history. Goldsworthy helped me to better understand how to interpret Old Testament stories in the light of the New Testament.
Essentially Biblical Theology- as opposed to Systematic Theology- is the study of the main themes of the Bible as the Bible presents them, in their own place and context. I hate to quote wikiwedia, but in this instance it actually explains the idea pretty succinctly:
Biblical theology seeks to understand a certain passage in the Bible in light of all of the biblical history leading up to it and later biblical references to that passage.On the other side of the Theological coin is Systematic Theology, which attempts to study and summarise Biblical topics in an ordered manner, outside of their immediate context. Both systems have merit and an all-rounded Christian should make use of both. Probably most human beings are drawn to the Systematic course of action. It seems simpler, more practical and better at producing rock solid results. But I highly doubt that God meant to write us a ‘Christian Textbook’ where we can flick to page 42 to read about “Marriage” and page 133 for “Redemption”! I made this comment in an earlier blog post:
In[his book] Goldworthy helps us to understand why finding answers in the Bible can seem like such hard work. The Bible, he says, is not a text book with an easy-use index. If we found a simple answer to 'How much money should I tithe?' under 'T' for tithe, then we wouldn't need to prayerfully search through God's word, trying to learn from Jesus' example or by understanding the role of grace in a believer. The Bible wasn't written as a glorified dictionary of Christianity, rather its fundamental aim is to make us grow. Forming a Theology of Work, Wonders and WigwamsSpoiler Alert: The following paragraphs will reveal some of the thoughts and illustration used in God’s Big Picture and Gospel and Kingdom
So, what is the Bible all about?
The main definition, argued by the authors, is a great one. They define the ‘unifying theme’ of the Bible as…
The Kingdom of God:Perhaps you disagree? Well, read the book then!
God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule and blessing.
The books both track God’s People, God’s Place and God’s Rule and Blessing throughout scripture, culminating with the promises of Heaven.
Viewing all of scripture as a part of the greatest story of all-time is certainly an eye opener. Goldsworthy gives a number of examples as to how this theology should shape our interpretation of Old Testament passages. The first one- one which I have heard elsewhere- is that of David and Goliath.
Now who has heard a sermon, talk or discussion which places us in the metaphorical shoes of David? We must fight the giants in our lives, using the stones of prayer, faith, love etc. etc.?
Perhaps David and Goliath could be used as an illustration for Christian warfare, but that certainly isn’t the main thrust of the story:
David was the anointed King of Israel, God’s chosen one. While the powerless Israelites watched on, David went forth as the representative and champion of Israel, and killed the enemy of God’s people…. Do you see now how the Gospel of Jesus Christ is in fact the primary purpose of this story? We should not associate ourselves with David, instead we should think of ourselves as the scared and powerless Israelites, watching while Jesus- our champion- defeats the powers of death and sin on our behalf!
I could continue, but I must wrap this abk4u post up!
Biblical Theology is vital for Christian living. A Gospel-centred understanding of scripture is vital for Christian living. Jesus is all throughout the Bible, these books can be a valuable resource in opening our eyes to his presence.
And [Jesus] said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:25-27 ESV)
- God’s Big Picture, Vaughan Roberts, IVP
http://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/god-s-big-picture?ref=1296817608 - The Goldsworthy Trilogy, Graeme Goldsworthy, Paternoster Press
Including Gospel and Kingdom, Gospel and Wisdom and The Gospel in Revelation
http://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/the-goldsworthy-trilogy?ref=1296817608
No comments:
Post a Comment