BT Session 1

February 3, 2019
BIBLICAL THEOLOGY: A STORY LIKE NO OTHER
Steve Whitacre
SESSION 1 | What Is Biblical Theology?
I. INTRODUCTION
Why this class?
II. WHAT IS BIBLICAL THEOLOGY

“Theology that is biblical.” It is the theology that is in the Bible, in the way that the
Bible presents it.
A definition:
"Biblical Theology is the study of the theological message of the Bible both in its
various component parts and in their contribution to its message as a whole.”
Jeff Purswell, Pastors College Class Notes
“Biblical theology is a way of reading the Bible as one story by one divine author
that culminates in who Jesus Christ is and what he has done, so that every part
of Scripture is understood in relation to him. Biblical theology helps us
understand the Bible as one big book with lots of little books that tell one big
story. The Hero and centerpiece of that story, from cover to cover, is Jesus
Christ.” Nick Roark, Biblical Theology, 26.
“Biblical theology examines the development of the biblical story from the
Old Testament to the New, and seeks to uncover the interrelationships
between the two parts. Prophecy, law, narrative, wisdom saying or apocalyptic
vision are all related to the coming of Jesus Christ in some discernible way.
Biblical theology is a methodical approach to showing these relationships so
that the Old Testament can be understood as Christian Scripture.” Graeme
Goldsworthy, According to Plan, 23.
February 3, 2019
Biblical theology among the theologies.
• Systematic theology
• Historical theology
• Pastoral theology
III. BIBLICAL THEOLOGY IS… BIBLICAL
Nehemiah 9
Psalm 78
Acts 7
• “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal
life; and it is they that bear witness about me,” (John 5:39).
• “And he 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).
• “Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was
still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the
Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to
understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the
Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that
repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to
all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
(Luke 24:44–48).
• “When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in
greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying
to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from
the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.” (Acts 28:23).
• “and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred
writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ
Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15).
• “By recognizing that all Scripture predicts, prepares for, reflects, or results
from the ministry of Christ, preachers [and Bible readers] unfold the road
map that keeps them traveling to the heart of the Bible no matter where they
journey in its pages.” Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching, 288.
February 3, 2019
Three approaches to Biblical Theology:
A storyline approach
o Ask: How does this text contribute to the storyline of the Bible?
A thematic approach
o Ask: How does this text develop a particular theme that runs throughout
the Bible?
An interpretive approach
o Ask: How does a biblical author use and interpret earlier texts?
IV. THE STORY LIKE NO OTHER
Simple version:
• Creation (Genesis 1–2)

• Fall (Genesis 3)
• Redemption (Genesis 4–Revelation 20)
• Re-creation (Revelation 21–22)
Less simple version: Vaughan Roberts’s
• Biblical theology is the story of God’s kingdom: God’s people in God’s place
under God’s rule and blessing.
• The pattern of the kingdom (Genesis 1–2)
• The perished kingdom (Genesis 3)
• The promised kingdom (Genesis 12–Exodus 18)
• The partial kingdom (Exodus 19–2 Chronicles)
• The prophesied kingdom (Ezra–Malachi)
• The present kingdom (Matthew–Luke)
• The proclaimed kingdom (Acts–Jude)
• The perfected kingdom (Revelation)
February 3, 2019
V. THE STORY LIKE NO OTHER
Biblical theology protects us
Biblical theology propels us
WHAT NEXT?
• Learn the storyline of the Bible [more on this next week!]

o ESV Study Bible articles: “Overview of the Bible” and “History of
Salvation in the Old Testament: Preparing the Way for Christ.”
o Vaughan Roberts, God’s Big Picture
o Graeme Goldsworthy, According to Plan
o Michel Lawrence, Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church
Reading your Bible:
• How does this passage contribute to the story like no other?

• How does it show our need for a Savior?
• How does it show God’s provision of a Savior?
OR:
• “How does the text in question relate to God’s Christ?"

• “How do we relate to Christ?” (Graeme Goldsworthy, According to Plan, 71).
February 3, 2019
February 3, 2019

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February 3, 2019

BIBLICAL THEOLOGY: A STORY LIKE NO OTHER

II. WHAT IS BIBLICAL THEOLOGY

Biblical theology among the theologies.

III. BIBLICAL THEOLOGY IS… BIBLICAL

Three approaches to Biblical Theology:

IV. THE STORY LIKE NO OTHER

• Creation (Genesis 1–2)

Less simple version: Vaughan Roberts’s

V. THE STORY LIKE NO OTHER

Biblical theology protects us

Biblical theology propels us

• Learn the storyline of the Bible [more on this next week!]

Reading your Bible:

• How does this passage contribute to the story like no other?

• “How does the text in question relate to God’s Christ?"

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