Pitfalls of Biblical Theology

John Newby

Let it be said, unequivocally, that I agree with the basic premises of the evangelical biblical theology school.  I know that the message of the Bible is redemption, with God the Triune Redeemer (not just Christ) at its heart.  I also acknowledge gladly that this is how the New Testament reads the Old Testament.   However, sharing that conviction does not preclude me from laying hands on the sacred cows that are sometimes unduly venerated in the name of biblical theology.   Let me explain what I mean.

First, to draw ethical lessons from Old Testament narrative does not necessarily mean that I am engaging in Aristotelian moralising.

Secondly, I am not missing the point if my 'reader response' (which the OT narrative is begging me to make) leads me to see the dramatic intention of, say, the history of Jacob or Joseph, in its own right.  It is wrong only if that is ALL I see.

Thirdly, (and maybe I am obtuse) I fail to see how (for example) David's adultery and murder of Uriah are a foreshadowing of Christ the King, or that I can hear the voice of Jesus in the 51st Psalm, although, strange though it seems, I do hear that voice in Psalm 88 !    Of course, I can make Jesus the antitype by way of contrast, but I doubt if that is sober exegesis.

Fourthly, I see no virtue in demonstrating my ingenuity in smuggling Jesus into OT stories when the intention of those stories is to be part of the flow of redemptive history which only in the most general sense is leading us to the Christ-event.

Fifthly, it is as irresponsible to leap directly from the OT to Christ without placing the OT story in its own context of the history of redemption, as it is to ignore the ultimate redemptive significance of the passage.

Sixthly, while it is true that the Scriptures are designed to make us 'wise to salvation', there is exhortation and correction and training in righteousness in the text, as well as doctrine. (II Timothy 3:16).  And Biblical Theology alone will not make "the man of God thoroughly equipped for every good work", no matter how fundamental such theology is for us to have a good foundation.

Seventhly, while NT ethics is grounded in redemption, the ethical demand needs to be spelt out.

Lastly it is the height of naiveté to make Jesus the tail-end of an exposition and think that I have done justice to the scriptural passage.   Now, I am sure that you share with me at least some of these concerns

NOW, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WHOM I LOVE AND HONOUR IN THE LORD,  AT LEAST LEND AN EAR TO MY CALL, EVEN IF YOU DISAGREE.   My motive is not to be divisive, but to suggest some of the pitfalls that surround the use of any technique in preaching, even one as good and truly helpful as Biblical Theology.