Isn't All Theology Biblical Theology?

What Does the Phrase Mean, and So What?

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, photo courtesy of Derek Gahman

What comes to your mind when you see that phrase? The nomenclature can be unintentionally deceiving. By biblical theology, the intention is not just to say “a theology which lines up with the biblical data.” Alignment with Scripture is fundamental to pursuing Christian theology in general, so that can’t be right.

Some may have seen here that I recently started a PhD in the field of biblical theology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary or seen here about my fall semester’s schedule. Further still, given the disclaimer above, some may be curious what exactly “biblical theology” means.

There are all sorts of academic discussions revolving around biblical theology, systematic theology, their relationship, and more. I have to be forthright in saying that this post won’t be the place to get into that.

For me, eclecticism provides a profitable route to describe and define all sorts of things. So in a similar light, a robust definition of biblical theology can be gleaned from several perspectives. A narrow, concise definition of biblical theology, remains quite difficult because misconceptions surround it—just like its nomenclature.

For the sake of the current discussion, let’s summarize my definition of biblical theology as “the progressive, descriptive, and prescriptive study of Scripture.” Many may disagree with one or more of those points being underneath the umbrella of biblical theology. There certainly are overlaps between that definition and other pursuits in Christian circles. But what exactly do I mean by that definition?

Biblical Theology as Progressive, Descriptive, and Prescriptive

First, each book of holy Scripture progresses key themes from creation to new creation in the organic way God has revealed Himself to us. Central to the progressive nature of Scripture is its historical-redemptive development of God’s revelation of Himself. Biblical theology attempts to grapple with the breadth and depth of Scripture’s recurring themes.

Second, the books of holy Scripture do not exhaust every theological theme in silos. Rather, unity and diversity exist between the books themselves and across the two testaments. All of Scripture is unified in the proclamation of Christ as Messiah, and yet each book provides a unique development and distinction in how that truth is communicated. It bears stating explicitly: the individual books of Scripture correspond and cohere with the larger message of Scripture. They are not contradictory but complementary.

Third, the canon of Scripture applies to all areas of our lives. Understanding the breadth and depth of Scripture’s themes and describing the unity and diversity within its pages only goes so far if we do not heed the commands within. The field of biblical theology profits from taking the next step, noting the normative nature of Scripture. Our heads may full, but that knowledge is useless without it culminating in praise of the Creator and service to our fellow image-bearers.

Elongating the Definition . . . for Clarity

Let’s consider the following, albeit lengthy, definition coalesced from the above notes.

*Biblical theology is the study of Scripture (1) through the development of God’s revelation of Himself in His Word from creation to new creation, (2) describing the unity of what Scripture proclaims alongside the diversity of how it communicates that information, (3) all for the edification of God’s people and the exaltation of God’s glory.

The above definition becomes quite unwieldy, though it is more specific.

The progressive development of Scripture’s storyline makes for a bold and large field of study. It also raises a number of questions regarding how we should wrestle with the nature of history. The descriptive character of biblical theology takes the next step, wherein the unity and diversity seen within Scripture calls for precise and careful descriptions of the historical, literary, and theological characteristics. The prescriptive nature of God’s Word must propel our study deeper and in dual directions—inward and outward. Inward insofar as we come to love the Lord with all our being (Deut. 6:5; Matt. 22:37), and outward as we shine as lights in a dark world (from God’s light, Ps. 36:9, to us shining forth with His light through us, Matt. 5:14–16; 1 Pet. 2:9).

It is meaningless to take in the holy Word of God without then following His commands (James 1:22–26). In this vein, biblical theology—with all its definitions and facets—must guide us to see and serve the Alpha and Omega in our interpretations and applications.

Not all theological pursuits are under the umbrella of biblical theology, but I’d like to reiterate that God and His Word remain the foundation for our knowledge and interpretation of the world. A theological endeavor that seeks to grasp the intricate breadth and depth of Scripture for both internal knowledge and external actions ultimately seeks alignment with Scripture.

Some in biblical theology focus on how the framework provides an avenue to focus one’s attention on how themes progress through the biblical metanarrative—such as covenant, kingdom, redemption, promise, and fulfillment.

Consider the following reflective questions for your own studies and devotions. I’ve included an example from one of my other posts as potential examples as well.

How do passages bolster one another? For example, how do the lineages of Genesis bolster our understanding of Ruth?

What themes run through the entire narrative of Scripture? For example, how could seeing God’s pursuit of presence with His people influence our reading of Scripture today?

In what way does the Old Testament relate to the New Testament? For example, how does the New Testament sometimes expand and develop Old Testament passages?

How does your reading of Scripture shape you and propel you to action? For example, how should Paul's understanding of Christ's imminent return shape our present actions?

How does the passage you’re reading today present unity to Scripture’s theology and diversity in how it describes God’s revelation of Himself?

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P. S. There are different ways biblical theology influences interpretation and how we read the text of Scripture. In future posts, I’d like to discuss things like the “historical, theological, and literary character of Scripture,” “the metanarrative of creation, fall, redemption across Scripture” and more. If this interests you, please let me know below. Thanks!

Disclaimer: The above definition of biblical theology is a work in progress. As my doctoral studies progress, being that they are in the field of biblical theology, my definition and the working out of that definition will likely develop over time. If alterations in my thought occur, I will revisit the topic in a new post. Given the brevity of my Substack posts, this discussion is not as in-depth as an official academic stance would warrant. I digress. Onward toward development!