What is biblical theology and why study it? The most basic answer is that biblical theology is, in essence, the theology of the Bible, expressed through the biblical writers in their own historical contexts. Biblical theology is an attempt to understand and embrace the interpretive perspective of the biblical authors. Biblical theology is also the theology of the entire Bible, an exercise in whole-Bible theology.
Biblical theology thus involves a close study of the use of the Old Testament in the Old Testament (that is, the use of, say, Deuteronomy by Jeremiah, or of the Pentateuch by Isaiah). Biblical theology also entails the investigation of the use of the Old Testament in the New, both in terms of individual passages and in terms of larger christological or soteriological themes. Biblical theology may proceed book by book, trace central themes in Scripture, or seek to place the contributions of individual biblical writers within the framework of the Bible’s larger overarching metanarrative, that is, the Bible’s developing story from Genesis through Revelation at whose core is salvation or redemptive history, the account of God’s dealings with humanity and his people Israel and the church from creation to new creation.
See Scripture as a whole
The Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (EBTC) series features informed exegetical treatment of the biblical book and thorough discussion of its most important theological themes in relation to the canon.
Typical commentaries use the tools of exegesis, carefully examining each verse in light of the surrounding context. But in so doing, they often lose sight of the big picture. How does this passage connect to other books by this author? Where does it fit within the canon of Scripture? What unique theological point was the inspired author making?
To answer these questions, the EBTC looks to biblical theology. This discipline is all about understanding and embracing the unique perspective of the biblical author. How did they understand themselves in the unfolding of redemption history? How are those beliefs present in their writings? And how might those themes point to fulfillment in Christ?
By combining exegesis with biblical theology, the EBTC doesn’t just help you see the forest for the trees; it reveals a breathtaking view of an entire biblical world most Christians have rarely explored.
The EBTC reveals how every passage in the Bible fits into God’s drama of redemption—and the role you play in his story today. Scholarly exegesis, biblical theology, and life application come together in a new commentary series on every book of the Bible.
