Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church: A Guide for Ministry (9Marks)

What is biblical theology and why is it important to the local church? It's easy to understand why theology in general is important since we need to know what we believe and apply certain biblical ideas to contemporary living. But when we talk about the importance of theology, I think we usually have in mind systematic theology (i.e., what does the Bible as a whole say about X?). Michael Lawrence makes the case for biblical theology; not only its importance, but how it is a necessary complement to systematic theology, as well as the tools biblical theology provides for us to read and apply scripture.The great strength of Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church (BTLC) lies in translating a potentially complicated, sprawling topic into digestible paragraphs that uphold the nuances in this discursive discipline. A basic example is how he defines "biblical theology". Lawrence gives us three definitions from different authors:"Biblical Theology is the branch of Exegetical Theology which deals with the process of the self-revelation of God deposited in the Bible" - Geerhardus Vos (p. 88)"...biblical theology...seeks to uncover and articulate the unity of all the biblical texts taken together, resorting primarily to the categories of those texts themselves." - D. A. Carson (p. 88)"[Biblical theology] contends that to read the Bible as unified Scripture is not just one interpretive option among others, but that which best corresponds to the nature of the text itself, given its divine reveltion. As such, [biblical theology[, as a discipline, not only provides the basis for understanding how texts in one part of Scripture relate to all other texts, but it also serves as the basis and underpinning for all theologizing...." - Steve Wellum (p. 89)After walking through these different definitions with their own emphases, Lawrence cuts through the attendant frills and offers his own excruciatingly simple definition: "Biblical theology is the attempt to tell the whole story of the whole Bible as Christian Scripture. It's a story, therefore, that has an authoritative and normative claim on our lives, because it's the story of God's glory in salvation through judgment" (p. 89). The last phrase should be familiar to the Reformed crowd since Lawrence borrows it from Jim Hamilton's famous thesis and now eponymous book.Lawrence structures BTLC as a handbook for pastors (and accessible to lay members) to do biblical theology themselves. Thus he starts the book not by actually doing biblical theology, but explaining the tools. Lawrence does a great job in the book's logical structure. He moves from exegetical theology to biblical theology and finally systematic theology in light of biblical theology, which mirrors the way we should reason through any Scriptural text (i.e., exegesis → biblical theology → systematic theology).This groundwork, that is teaching us how to fish, is followed by examples of Lawrence tracing the biblical theology of five themes through Scripture. These are creation, fall, love, sacrifice, and promise. Finally, BTLC concludes with concrete case studies as applied to preaching certain texts and how local churches should think through contemporary issues such as missions, social justice, and counseling.The heftiest part of BTLC is the tools of biblical theology. Lawrence walks readers through how Scripture is structured around covenants, epochs, and canon, each engaging a larger historical context. Understanding where a text is situated--within which covenant, which epoch, and where in the canon--is a necessary antidote to irresponsible proof-texting. In addition, a second set of tools include prophecy, typology, and continuity. Lawrence explains that prophecy may have multiple horizons of fulfillment (Isaiah being a perfect example). He describes what is the proper use of typology and how to guard against seeing types where there isn't one. And he helps readers understand that there is continuity between the covenants, but also discontinuity (sometime promises are fulfilled by discontinuity).I personally wish I read this book before I dug into meatier works like Geerhardus Vos's Biblical Theology and Michael Horton's Introduction to Covenant Theology. Don't make the same mistake. If you're new to biblical theology but are convinced of its necessity (read BTLC's introduction to be convinced), pick up BTLC as an onramp to the highway. I would follow-up BTLC with either Graeme Goldsworthy's According to Plan or Vaughan Robert's God's Big Picture.I'll conclude this review with Lawrence's own final sentences: "Biblical theology is useful theology. Biblical theology is theology at work. So pick up your Bible, and let's get to work" (p. 217).[This review was originally published on Schaeffer's Ghost: [...]

Great primer for those wanting to know more about Biblical Theology. I appreciated the various examples the author went through demonstrating his use of Biblical theology.

Michael Lawrence earned a M.Div. degree at Gordon-Conwell a PhD from Cambridge University. He served as Associate Pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington DC and currently serves as Senior Pastor at Hinson Baptist Church in Portland, OR. This is Lawrence’s third book.With biblical theology we posses what we need for effective ministry in the churches and in our lives. Outside of biblical theology we have a Bible full of moral tales and irrelevant history. Scripture is sufficient. Too many of our modern churches teach that the Old Testament is simply moral examples and the New Testament tells us how to get right with God. The Bible, however, is not a “how to” book or a book where we seek “the answers.” Instead it is an outline of how God, throughout history and in the future, will bring great glory to himself. It explains our purpose helps and us understand the gift we have been given. Theology places us in the center of the biblical narrative.The author explains that our theology determines the shape and character of our ministry. Theology is how we move from the text of Scripture to how we should live our lives today. Exegesis is the disciplined attempt to pull from a text the author’s original intent, rather than our own personal preferences, experiences or opinions.This is an easy to understand book on Biblical and Systematic Theology and how they apply to our churches and the average believer. The author helps us to understand that theology transforms the Bible from a group of unrelated Sunday school tales into an intricately woven series of related narratives that communicate God’s truth. The author helps the reader to apply God’s reality to our modern preaching and teaching.As modern American culture, and even contemporary evangelical culture, has essentially deserted its Christian roots, it has become oblivious to the historic presentation of the gospel. Lawrence points out the pestilence that has become the modern, watered-down, feel-good, theology of the Western church. The author helps us see that theology has an important place in the life of every disciple of Christ.

This is must read for every pastor. The author covers well known territory for most preachers, but the way he ties together all the ideas is rich. He gives the working pastor a biblical theology that is not too technical but deep enough to be useful. The author traces the logical flow of sermon preparation from exegesis to biblical theology to systematic theology to sermon construction, but not in a clumsy or predictable way. The book is not really about sermon prep but looking at the ministry of the word through the lens of biblical theology. Chapter 11, "Preaching and Teaching (Case Studies)" and the section, "A Shepherd's Taxonomy" is worth the price of the book. I have read it multiple time mediating on specific sermons. There are great insights scattered throughout the book. I highly recommend it!

What I needed, Thanks

Very useful to anyone who seeks to have an understanding of Biblical Theology.

This is a down to earth book on the basis for Biblical Theology and Systematic Theology and how to use in the church congreagtion. Easy and interesting to read. Good refresher for Pastors and other trained leadership in a local church. A highlight from the book is when the author states that when people read the Bible Story they are doing Biblical theology and the process of how they sum up passages, doctrine and apply them in their life is sytematic theology. He furthers states that even if we do not recognize that is what we are doing;we still do it.This is a must read for Pastors.

I think this is perhaps the first popular level book that has taken the vitally important subject of Biblical Theology and merged it with church practice. The result a readable, solid and excellently thought out and practical working theology of the church rooted firmly in the Bible. All Pastors church leaders and interested lay people should read this work.

Although clearly aimed at Pastors and Church leaders, this book is perfectly accessible to everyone else as is it not only provides some invaluable tools for the correct study of scripture using Biblical theology. It also goes a long way to explaining that Biblical and Systematic theology are not only complementary, but essential to studying the overall message of the Bible and applying doctrines to principles to everyday lives.

For a novice like me this did the job.I'm very pleased and satisfied with the approach the writer used.I highly recommend this book.Thanks Michael Lawrence.

Mr Lawrence has provided an excellent primer on Biblical Theology.

This book is very useful if you are serious about bible study. It provides a good primer for studying God's word and constructing a biblical theology.