In the modern American Christian church, endless thoughts exist on the doctrines of the Bible.  Many divides across denominational lines have risen due to misunderstanding core biblical teachings. This is where biblical theology comes in as vital to the life and health of the church. Biblical theology can be summarized as the study of doctrines found in the Bible. These doctrines are based on both historical and linguistic understandings.  Biblical theology seeks to understand the Bible and its impact on all facets of life and death. 

Before getting into the types of biblical theology, it is important to define two terms. First, what does biblical mean? Biblical means that the teaching and understanding come from the text found within the Bible.  While other sources from historical and scholarly writings are considered, the primary source is the Bible. Theology comes from two words.  Theos is the Greek word that means God.  Using the suffix -ology means the study or science of.1 The best possible definition of theology is the science or study of God.  Therefore, biblical theology is to study God through the lens of the Bible. 

There are several ways of looking at and interpreting the scriptures in biblical theology, which can sometimes be confusing. In their book Understanding Biblical Theology, Edward Klink and Darian Lockett compare the major types of biblical theology. There are five primary ways one interprets the scriptures.  The major approaches of biblical theology are to see the bible as a historical description, as the history of redemption, to which the world is viewed, as a unified whole, or as a theological construction for the doctrines of today.2 Theologians often combine two or more types to develop an overarching view of scripture.  It is best to see biblical theology as a historical description and the history of redemption.  That is seeing the Bible as the story of God redeeming humanity to Himself through Jesus.  This view of theology will lead readers to see Jesus throughout the scriptures.

Christian scholars often see Jesus in the act of creation found in Genesis chapter one and compare that with the wording of John chapter one. As one reads the words of John chapter one verse saying, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and Word was God,” it becomes clear that John is making the point that Jesus coming to earth is equivalent to the creation itself.  John further captures this by recording Jesus's prayer from chapter seventeen.  There, Jesus says, “Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was” (John 17:5 NASB). This is the lens through which Christians see the Bible, which develops the doctrines and beliefs of the church. 

The Bible is the tool that Christians use to measure all things.3 The use of proper biblical theology is primary in the development of church practices.  While many in American churches determine truth by what they feel, proper interpretation leads followers of Christ to go against what society says is normal and strive for holiness.  The Apostle Paul said, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). Biblical theology develops a proper view of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the scriptures which have been handed down to each generation.

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1. Rhyne Putman, The Method of Christian Theology: A Basic Introduction (Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Publishing, 2021), 18.

2. Edward W. Klink III and Darian R. Lockett, Understanding Biblical Theology (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2012), 21.

3. Michael Lawrence, Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church: A Guide for Ministry (Wheaton, Illinois:

Crossway, 2010), 23.

Bibliography

Klink, Edward W., III, and Darian R. Lockett. Understanding Biblical Theology, 22–25. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2012.

Lawrence, Michael. Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church: A Guide for Ministry. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2010.

Putman, Rhyne. The Method of Christian Theology: A Basic Introduction. Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Publishing, 2021.