Introduction

Theology is not a collection of isolated doctrines but a unified story—a grand narrative woven through the pages of Scripture. Biblical Theology seeks to trace this unfolding drama, showing how God’s redemptive plan progresses from Genesis to Revelation. It differs from Systematic Theology, which organizes doctrine into logical categories, by instead following the storyline of Scripture as it develops over time.

Biblical Theology helps us see Christ as the center of all Scripture, understanding how God’s purposes in history lead to the fulfillment of His promises. This section will explore what Biblical Theology is, why it is essential for Christian faith, and how it helps us read Scripture rightly.

1. The Nature of Biblical Theology

Biblical Theology is the study of how God reveals Himself progressively throughout redemptive history. Instead of treating doctrines as static, Biblical Theology asks, "How has God revealed this truth over time?"

The Bible is one story—not a disconnected collection of books, but a unified revelation of God's covenantal purposes. Each part of Scripture must be interpreted in light of the whole.

Jesus Himself emphasized this in Luke 24:27:

This means the Old Testament is not separate from the New—it anticipates and points to Christ, while the New Testament fulfills and clarifies what was previously shadowed.

Biblical Theology asks:

• How does each book contribute to the grand narrative of redemption?

• How do themes like the kingdom, covenant, temple, and sacrifice develop over time?

• How does Christ fulfill the Old Testament’s promises and types?

2. The Importance of Biblical Theology

A. It Preserves the Unity of Scripture

A fragmented approach to Scripture leads to errors, such as:

• Seeing the Old and New Testaments as unrelated.

• Overemphasizing one part of Scripture at the expense of the whole.

• Failing to recognize how Christ is the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Biblical Theology ensures that we read the Bible as one book rather than disconnected parts. The covenantal structure of Scripture provides a framework for seeing this unity.

B. It Centers Our Theology on Christ

Since the Bible is Christocentric, Biblical Theology teaches us to read all of Scripture in light of Christ. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for failing to recognize Him in their study of the Old Testament:

When we understand that Scripture progressively reveals Christ, our reading becomes richer and more accurate. We see that:

• Adam is a type of Christ (Romans 5:14).

• Noah’s ark points to salvation in Christ.

• The Exodus foreshadows our redemption from sin.

• The sacrificial system points to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.

• The Davidic kingdom anticipates Christ’s eternal reign.

Without Biblical Theology, we risk moralizing the Old Testament (reducing it to mere life lessons) rather than seeing how it reveals God’s plan of salvation in Christ.

C. It Helps Us Avoid Theological Error

When people disconnect doctrines from their redemptive-historical context, they often misinterpret Scripture. Examples include:

• Marcionism (rejecting the Old Testament as irrelevant).

• Dispensationalism (radically separating Israel and the Church).

• Legalism (failing to see the fulfillment of the Law in Christ).

Biblical Theology provides a framework that keeps us from reading Scripture out of context, ensuring we interpret passages in light of God’s unfolding revelation.

3. The Framework of Biblical Theology

Biblical Theology traces themes across Scripture, showing their development and fulfillment. Some key themes include:

A. The Kingdom of God

The central message of Jesus' ministry was the kingdom of God (Mark 1:15), yet this theme begins in Genesis and unfolds throughout Scripture:

• Genesis: Adam was given dominion (rule), but fell into sin.

• Abraham: God promised a land and a people (Genesis 12:1-3).

• David: A coming King would reign forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

• Jesus: Christ is the true King, inaugurating God’s kingdom.

• Revelation: The kingdom is fully realized in the new creation.

B. The Covenants

God’s relationship with His people is structured through covenants, which progress through redemptive history:

1. Adam (Covenant of Works): Life promised upon obedience (Genesis 2).

2. Noahic Covenant: God preserves the world for redemption (Genesis 9).

3. Abrahamic Covenant: God promises a people and a land (Genesis 12, 15, 17).

4. Mosaic Covenant: The law is given to Israel (Exodus 19-24).

5. Davidic Covenant: A king from David’s line (2 Samuel 7).

6. New Covenant: Christ fulfills and brings salvation (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

Each covenant builds on the last, culminating in Christ’s fulfillment of all God’s promises (2 Corinthians 1:20).

C. The Temple

The temple represents God’s presence with His people:

• Eden was the first temple-garden (God dwelt with Adam).

• The Tabernacle was a mobile temple (Exodus 25).

• Solomon’s Temple was a fixed dwelling place for God.

• Jesus is the true temple (John 2:19-21).

• The Church is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16).

• The New Creation is the final temple where God dwells with His people forever (Revelation 21:22).

This theme shows how God’s presence with His people is fully realized in Christ and the New Heavens and New Earth.

Conclusion

Biblical Theology teaches us to read Scripture as a unified whole, seeing how God's plan of redemption unfolds through history and finds its fulfillment in Christ.

By studying how theology develops across redemptive history, we:✅ See Christ as the center of all Scripture (Luke 24:27).✅ Avoid theological errors that fragment the Bible.✅ Recognize the continuity between the Old and New Testaments.✅ Understand God’s purposes and promises more clearly.

The Bible is not merely a book of rules or moral lessons—it is a grand story of redemption, culminating in the life, death, resurrection, and return of Jesus Christ.

May we read all of Scripture with a Christ-centered lens, growing in our knowledge of God’s unfolding plan and His faithfulness through history.

Memory Verse

Reflection Questions

1. How does seeing the Bible as one unified story change the way you read Scripture?

2. Why is it important to interpret Old Testament passages in light of Christ?

3. What are some common theological errors that result from ignoring Biblical Theology?

4. How does tracing themes like kingdom, covenant, and temple help us better understand God's plan?

5. How can you apply Biblical Theology in your own Bible study?