This Is How Every Book in the Bible Is Connected

So where would you start in helping So where would you start in helping someone to understand what we mean by someone to understand what we mean by someone to understand what we mean by biblical theology? biblical theology? biblical theology? >> So biblical theology >> So biblical theology >> So biblical theology it's just a very broad and general way it's just a very broad and general way it's just a very broad and general way of expressing the idea that the Bible is of expressing the idea that the Bible is of expressing the idea that the Bible is hangs together in a story as a story. hangs together in a story as a story. hangs together in a story as a story. Typically we say that the story is Typically we say that the story is Typically we say that the story is creation fall redemption new creation creation fall redemption new creation creation fall redemption new creation and that story gets repeated. So every and that story gets repeated. So every and that story gets repeated. So every book of the Bible is in some way book of the Bible is in some way book of the Bible is in some way connected to creation, fall, redemption, connected to creation, fall, redemption, connected to creation, fall, redemption, new creation. So biblical theology is new creation. So biblical theology is new creation. So biblical theology is just a way of studying how the Bible just a way of studying how the Bible just a way of studying how the Bible presents that story. We discover unity. presents that story. We discover unity. presents that story. We discover unity. We can isolate We can isolate We can isolate uh different themes that go across the uh different themes that go across the uh different themes that go across the testaments. We can do biblical theology testaments. We can do biblical theology testaments. We can do biblical theology like that. like that. like that. >> We can also do biblical theology and see >> We can also do biblical theology and see >> We can also do biblical theology and see how one theme is connected to other how one theme is connected to other how one theme is connected to other themes. So most of the time these themes themes. So most of the time these themes themes. So most of the time these themes are wrapped up together with one are wrapped up together with one are wrapped up together with one another. another. another. >> Can you give an example just of how >> Can you give an example just of how >> Can you give an example just of how maybe there's a couple themes that are maybe there's a couple themes that are maybe there's a couple themes that are regularly interwoven? Like they're regularly interwoven? Like they're regularly interwoven? Like they're they're wrapped up with each other they're wrapped up with each other they're wrapped up with each other regularly. Like when you see this theme, regularly. Like when you see this theme, regularly. Like when you see this theme, you're almost always going to see this you're almost always going to see this you're almost always going to see this other theme nearby.

other theme nearby. other theme nearby. >> Uh king priest, those two, those are >> Uh king priest, those two, those are >> Uh king priest, those two, those are distinct themes, but they're wrapped up distinct themes, but they're wrapped up distinct themes, but they're wrapped up together at significant locations, together at significant locations, together at significant locations, especially in the garden. Uh even even especially in the garden. Uh even even especially in the garden. Uh even even Abraham, Abraham, Abraham, >> yeah, >> yeah, >> yeah, >> he does he does both on occasion. very >> he does he does both on occasion. very >> he does he does both on occasion. very interesting there. He'll offer up interesting there. He'll offer up interesting there. He'll offer up sacrifices and yet he's he's also a king sacrifices and yet he's he's also a king sacrifices and yet he's he's also a king and of of of sorts. And then David and of of of sorts. And then David and of of of sorts. And then David >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Um Solomon does some priestly stuff as >> Um Solomon does some priestly stuff as >> Um Solomon does some priestly stuff as well. If you think about it, well. If you think about it, well. If you think about it, >> he does. >> he does. >> he does. >> And then ultimately this is paving the >> And then ultimately this is paving the >> And then ultimately this is paving the way for Jesus as the ultimate priest way for Jesus as the ultimate priest way for Jesus as the ultimate priest king. uh who is and in fact that's one king. uh who is and in fact that's one king. uh who is and in fact that's one of the the last 10 or 20 years of of the the last 10 or 20 years of of the the last 10 or 20 years of scholarship has really started to scholarship has really started to scholarship has really started to bring out the priestly aspects of Jesus bring out the priestly aspects of Jesus bring out the priestly aspects of Jesus in the gospels. in the gospels. in the gospels. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It was for a 100 or so years it was all >> It was for a 100 or so years it was all >> It was for a 100 or so years it was all dominated by messianic type royal dominated by messianic type royal dominated by messianic type royal language. Now we're starting to see language. Now we're starting to see language. Now we're starting to see another side of of him. So he's both not another side of of him. So he's both not another side of of him. So he's both not just king but also priest. So we can just king but also priest. So we can just king but also priest. So we can trace that all the way out. In fact, trace that all the way out. In fact, trace that all the way out. In fact, even in Paul, Paul applies even in Paul, Paul applies even in Paul, Paul applies kingly and priestly language to the kingly and priestly language to the kingly and priestly language to the church and so does First Peter. And so, church and so does First Peter. And so, church and so does First Peter. And so, you know, we could work this all the way you know, we could work this all the way you know, we could work this all the way out. So, yeah, those are that's a really out. So, yeah, those are that's a really out. So, yeah, those are that's a really good example. Yeah. I think one of the good example. Yeah. I think one of the good example. Yeah. I think one of the most illuminating experiences for me in most illuminating experiences for me in most illuminating experiences for me in reading my Bible was when someone reading my Bible was when someone reading my Bible was when someone suggested to me, read the first three suggested to me, read the first three suggested to me, read the first three chapters of Genesis and then immediately chapters of Genesis and then immediately chapters of Genesis and then immediately go read Revelation 21 and 22 and just go read Revelation 21 and 22 and just go read Revelation 21 and 22 and just look at all of the connections between look at all of the connections between look at all of the connections between those two texts. And what that invites

those two texts. And what that invites those two texts. And what that invites you to do is to say, "Wait a minute. If you to do is to say, "Wait a minute. If you to do is to say, "Wait a minute. If the Bible begins this way and it ends the Bible begins this way and it ends the Bible begins this way and it ends that way, then everything in between that way, then everything in between that way, then everything in between must be related moving the story from must be related moving the story from must be related moving the story from what we see in Genesis 1 through3 to its what we see in Genesis 1 through3 to its what we see in Genesis 1 through3 to its >> full consummation in Revelation 21 and >> full consummation in Revelation 21 and >> full consummation in Revelation 21 and 22. And so I think part of the value of 22. And so I think part of the value of 22. And so I think part of the value of biblical theology is it helps people biblical theology is it helps people biblical theology is it helps people read their Bibles more holistically. read their Bibles more holistically. read their Bibles more holistically. Right? I think a lot of people in our Right? I think a lot of people in our Right? I think a lot of people in our congregations congregations congregations have a very sort of isolated have a very sort of isolated have a very sort of isolated understanding of different individual understanding of different individual understanding of different individual stories or passages within the Bible stories or passages within the Bible stories or passages within the Bible itself. They're like, "Oh man, I really itself. They're like, "Oh man, I really itself. They're like, "Oh man, I really like uh Abraham nearly sacrifices Isaac like uh Abraham nearly sacrifices Isaac like uh Abraham nearly sacrifices Isaac and I'm man, that David and Goliath and I'm man, that David and Goliath and I'm man, that David and Goliath story is great." and they have these story is great." and they have these story is great." and they have these like isolated episodes that they think like isolated episodes that they think like isolated episodes that they think but they but they don't necessarily know but they but they don't necessarily know but they but they don't necessarily know how are those connected like what what how are those connected like what what how are those connected like what what what's the larger story that each of what's the larger story that each of what's the larger story that each of those fall into. those fall into. those fall into. >> Yeah. It's like a flannel Christianity >> Yeah. It's like a flannel Christianity >> Yeah. It's like a flannel Christianity right where you have flannelraphphs you right where you have flannelraphphs you right where you have flannelraphphs you you know in Sunday school and you know you know in Sunday school and you know you know in Sunday school and you know that one event that one story but the that one event that one story but the that one event that one story but the flannels as great as they are I I'm a flannels as great as they are I I'm a flannels as great as they are I I'm a big fan.

big fan. big fan. >> I think we should bring them back to be >> I think we should bring them back to be >> I think we should bring them back to be honest. honest. honest. >> I I really like it. The problem is that >> I I really like it. The problem is that >> I I really like it. The problem is that you can't it's hard to connect all those you can't it's hard to connect all those you can't it's hard to connect all those stories because the stories because the stories because the >> it's it's hard's only there's only so >> it's it's hard's only there's only so >> it's it's hard's only there's only so much space you can fit these things on. much space you can fit these things on. much space you can fit these things on. But that's what biblical theology does. But that's what biblical theology does. But that's what biblical theology does. It's an attempt to connect all those It's an attempt to connect all those It's an attempt to connect all those flannelraphph stories together so that flannelraphph stories together so that flannelraphph stories together so that they're coherent. They're working they're coherent. They're working they're coherent. They're working together. We can see this, together. We can see this, together. We can see this, >> right? Yeah. I I like to use the analogy >> right? Yeah. I I like to use the analogy >> right? Yeah. I I like to use the analogy and this is something that I think all and this is something that I think all and this is something that I think all of us are familiar with, right? Uh of a of us are familiar with, right? Uh of a of us are familiar with, right? Uh of a television series that has multiple television series that has multiple television series that has multiple seasons. So, you know, if you have a TV seasons. So, you know, if you have a TV seasons. So, you know, if you have a TV series that's got six or seven seasons, series that's got six or seven seasons, series that's got six or seven seasons, if you've not seen the whole series, you if you've not seen the whole series, you if you've not seen the whole series, you might be able to drop into an individual might be able to drop into an individual might be able to drop into an individual episode, say in season 3, episode 6, and episode, say in season 3, episode 6, and episode, say in season 3, episode 6, and you might be able to understand the you might be able to understand the you might be able to understand the basic plot of that individual episode, basic plot of that individual episode, basic plot of that individual episode, but you're not going to understand how but you're not going to understand how but you're not going to understand how the characters relate to one another, the characters relate to one another, the characters relate to one another, why that particular event is maybe why that particular event is maybe why that particular event is maybe really significant When on its surface really significant When on its surface really significant When on its surface it doesn't really look like it's that it doesn't really look like it's that it doesn't really look like it's that big of a deal, but in the scope of the big of a deal, but in the scope of the big of a deal, but in the scope of the whole series of that television show, whole series of that television show, whole series of that television show, it's actually a really big deal. You're it's actually a really big deal. You're it's actually a really big deal. You're probably not going to understand why the probably not going to understand why the probably not going to understand why the characters interact with each other in characters interact with each other in characters interact with each other in the way that they do or what they're the way that they do or what they're the way that they do or what they're hoping for or what they're fearful of.

hoping for or what they're fearful of. hoping for or what they're fearful of. Those kinds of things often require Those kinds of things often require Those kinds of things often require seeing the whole series to really seeing the whole series to really seeing the whole series to really understand, oh, well, that's why that's understand, oh, well, that's why that's understand, oh, well, that's why that's a big deal. And I think that analogy a big deal. And I think that analogy a big deal. And I think that analogy helps us think about biblical theology helps us think about biblical theology helps us think about biblical theology that the Bible is a story that the Bible is a story that the Bible is a story and that these individual episodes are and that these individual episodes are and that these individual episodes are moving the larger plot towards a goal moving the larger plot towards a goal moving the larger plot towards a goal towards a consummation in a new heavens towards a consummation in a new heavens towards a consummation in a new heavens and a new earth. and a new earth. and a new earth. >> What is biblical theology not? Let's >> What is biblical theology not? Let's >> What is biblical theology not? Let's let's let's state what it is not. So, let's let's state what it is not. So, let's let's state what it is not. So, it's not uh you might hear somebody say, it's not uh you might hear somebody say, it's not uh you might hear somebody say, "Well, by biblical theology, don't you "Well, by biblical theology, don't you "Well, by biblical theology, don't you just mean theology found in the Bible?" just mean theology found in the Bible?" just mean theology found in the Bible?" Well, not in the way we're using it. Well, not in the way we're using it. Well, not in the way we're using it. Obviously, biblical theology is theology Obviously, biblical theology is theology Obviously, biblical theology is theology found in the Bible, but it's a more found in the Bible, but it's a more found in the Bible, but it's a more specific way of specific way of specific way of >> It's more granular. Yes. It's more >> It's more granular. Yes. It's more >> It's more granular. Yes. It's more organic. organic. organic. >> It is. It is. And so, I think one way to >> It is. It is. And so, I think one way to >> It is. It is. And so, I think one way to to highlight what it is is to contrast to highlight what it is is to contrast to highlight what it is is to contrast it with what is referred to as it with what is referred to as it with what is referred to as systematic theology. And the difference systematic theology. And the difference systematic theology. And the difference is is that systematic theology is an is is that systematic theology is an is is that systematic theology is an attempt to look at the Bible and answer attempt to look at the Bible and answer attempt to look at the Bible and answer the question, what does the Bible teach the question, what does the Bible teach the question, what does the Bible teach about? And then you just kind of fill in about? And then you just kind of fill in about? And then you just kind of fill in the blank. What does it teach about God, the blank. What does it teach about God, the blank. What does it teach about God, humanity, about creation?

humanity, about creation? humanity, about creation? >> And then you look through the Bible and >> And then you look through the Bible and >> And then you look through the Bible and you find relevant texts and you try to you find relevant texts and you try to you find relevant texts and you try to organize them in some sort of logical, organize them in some sort of logical, organize them in some sort of logical, coherent, coherent, coherent, analytical package. Okay? And you will analytical package. Okay? And you will analytical package. Okay? And you will often end up using terms and categories often end up using terms and categories often end up using terms and categories that the Bible itself may not use but that the Bible itself may not use but that the Bible itself may not use but can still be helpful for sure. And by can still be helpful for sure. And by can still be helpful for sure. And by contrast, biblical theology says, well, contrast, biblical theology says, well, contrast, biblical theology says, well, actually, let's try to work through the actually, let's try to work through the actually, let's try to work through the biblical text and see what categories biblical text and see what categories biblical text and see what categories and terms and frameworks the Bible and terms and frameworks the Bible and terms and frameworks the Bible itself uses and try to organically trace itself uses and try to organically trace itself uses and try to organically trace that and put it together in the way that that and put it together in the way that that and put it together in the way that the biblical authors put it together. the biblical authors put it together. the biblical authors put it together. >> It's in living contact. This is what Vos >> It's in living contact. This is what Vos >> It's in living contact. This is what Vos talks about how biblical theology is in talks about how biblical theology is in talks about how biblical theology is in living contact with the soil of living contact with the soil of living contact with the soil of scripture. They're always rooted scripture. They're always rooted scripture. They're always rooted together. And that's what that's what together. And that's what that's what together. And that's what that's what make and that's why I think so many make and that's why I think so many make and that's why I think so many people like biblical theology because it people like biblical theology because it people like biblical theology because it uses words from the Bible. It's very uses words from the Bible. It's very uses words from the Bible. It's very organic, very tied to scripture. Now, organic, very tied to scripture. Now, organic, very tied to scripture. Now, what are some sources that we recommend?

what are some sources that we recommend? what are some sources that we recommend? So, we have uh beginner. So, think of So, we have uh beginner. So, think of So, we have uh beginner. So, think of our audience a beginner, intermediate, our audience a beginner, intermediate, our audience a beginner, intermediate, and advanced. What are some sources that and advanced. What are some sources that and advanced. What are some sources that we would recommend? we would recommend? we would recommend? >> Well, in terms of beginner, uh, I'm >> Well, in terms of beginner, uh, I'm >> Well, in terms of beginner, uh, I'm going to go with this really helpful, going to go with this really helpful, going to go with this really helpful, fancy book that was written by none fancy book that was written by none fancy book that was written by none other than Benjamin L. Glad. What's the other than Benjamin L. Glad. What's the other than Benjamin L. Glad. What's the L stand for, by the way? L stand for, by the way? L stand for, by the way? >> Luke, you're talking about Luke, isn't >> Luke, you're talking about Luke, isn't >> Luke, you're talking about Luke, isn't >> I didn't know that. We've known each >> I didn't know that. We've known each >> I didn't know that. We've known each other for 20 years. I didn't know that. other for 20 years. I didn't know that. other for 20 years. I didn't know that. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> Yeah. Yeah, >> Yeah. Yeah, >> that's hilarious. Okay, there you go. >> that's hilarious. Okay, there you go. >> that's hilarious. Okay, there you go. So, uh, from Adam and Israel to the So, uh, from Adam and Israel to the So, uh, from Adam and Israel to the church. So, this is a good starting church. So, this is a good starting church. So, this is a good starting point for um understanding how your point for um understanding how your point for um understanding how your Bible fits together and seeing the Bible fits together and seeing the Bible fits together and seeing the connections between Adam and Israel and connections between Adam and Israel and connections between Adam and Israel and Christ leading to the church. This is a Christ leading to the church. This is a Christ leading to the church. This is a really accessible really accessible really accessible place to start as a, you know, if you're place to start as a, you know, if you're place to start as a, you know, if you're just new to how does the Bible fit just new to how does the Bible fit just new to how does the Bible fit together? I want to better understand together? I want to better understand together? I want to better understand the big story from Genesis to the big story from Genesis to the big story from Genesis to Revelation. This book right here, I Revelation. This book right here, I Revelation. This book right here, I think, will serve people really well in think, will serve people really well in think, will serve people really well in that front. What about uh maybe an that front. What about uh maybe an that front. What about uh maybe an intermediate source here?

intermediate source here? intermediate source here? >> So my intermediate source I recommend >> So my intermediate source I recommend >> So my intermediate source I recommend this new dictionary of biblical theology this new dictionary of biblical theology this new dictionary of biblical theology edited by uh Desmond Alexander, Brian edited by uh Desmond Alexander, Brian edited by uh Desmond Alexander, Brian Rosner, Don Carson and Graham Gosworthy. Rosner, Don Carson and Graham Gosworthy. Rosner, Don Carson and Graham Gosworthy. This should if if you're interested in This should if if you're interested in This should if if you're interested in biblical theology at all, you need to biblical theology at all, you need to biblical theology at all, you need to have this. This would probably be my have this. This would probably be my have this. This would probably be my number one recommended resource. It's number one recommended resource. It's number one recommended resource. It's under the intermediate because it's a under the intermediate because it's a under the intermediate because it's a big book. Um, it's fair it's a decent big book. Um, it's fair it's a decent big book. Um, it's fair it's a decent it's decently academic but not overly it's decently academic but not overly it's decently academic but not overly so. Um, what I like about it is that so. Um, what I like about it is that so. Um, what I like about it is that there are lots of topics in here. there are lots of topics in here. there are lots of topics in here. >> Yes. on um man and woman, mountains, >> Yes. on um man and woman, mountains, >> Yes. on um man and woman, mountains, nations, peace, prayer, prophecy, and nations, peace, prayer, prophecy, and nations, peace, prayer, prophecy, and then it also has book by book analyses then it also has book by book analyses then it also has book by book analyses from Genesis to Revelation of So if from Genesis to Revelation of So if from Genesis to Revelation of So if you're in if you're in First Timothy and you're in if you're in First Timothy and you're in if you're in First Timothy and you want to know what are some biblical you want to know what are some biblical you want to know what are some biblical theological themes that you can pick out theological themes that you can pick out theological themes that you can pick out as you're preaching, turn to First as you're preaching, turn to First as you're preaching, turn to First Timothy in this in this volume and it'll Timothy in this in this volume and it'll Timothy in this in this volume and it'll tell you.

tell you. tell you. >> Yeah, absolutely. And then also at the >> Yeah, absolutely. And then also at the >> Yeah, absolutely. And then also at the beginning of this volume, there are beginning of this volume, there are beginning of this volume, there are several essays that are superb. Now, several essays that are superb. Now, several essays that are superb. Now, this volume is a little dated, Matt. this volume is a little dated, Matt. this volume is a little dated, Matt. This volume is 30 plus years old, and This volume is 30 plus years old, and This volume is 30 plus years old, and they are working on a second edition. they are working on a second edition. they are working on a second edition. Uh, but it's still really good. I would Uh, but it's still really good. I would Uh, but it's still really good. I would I would recommend that listeners buy I would recommend that listeners buy I would recommend that listeners buy this electronically, accordance or this electronically, accordance or this electronically, accordance or logos, just because so you can search logos, just because so you can search logos, just because so you can search it. Does not have a scripture index in it. Does not have a scripture index in it. Does not have a scripture index in it, but um yeah, you can. Yeah, it's it, but um yeah, you can. Yeah, it's it, but um yeah, you can. Yeah, it's it's just way better on your computer. it's just way better on your computer. it's just way better on your computer. >> Yeah, great resource there for sure. Uh >> Yeah, great resource there for sure. Uh >> Yeah, great resource there for sure. Uh and then uh in terms of the advanced and then uh in terms of the advanced and then uh in terms of the advanced uh sort of the what we're calling the uh sort of the what we're calling the uh sort of the what we're calling the the biblical theology junkie or the the biblical theology junkie or the the biblical theology junkie or the biblical theology nerd. biblical theology nerd. biblical theology nerd. >> They want to inject it into their >> They want to inject it into their >> They want to inject it into their >> liquefy it and just shoot it right in. >> liquefy it and just shoot it right in. >> liquefy it and just shoot it right in. That's right. Um, I think one of the That's right. Um, I think one of the That's right. Um, I think one of the best places to go is this new studies in best places to go is this new studies in best places to go is this new studies in biblical theology series that Don Carson biblical theology series that Don Carson biblical theology series that Don Carson and yourself uh are editing now. And and yourself uh are editing now. And and yourself uh are editing now. And this has a wide range of mostly thematic this has a wide range of mostly thematic this has a wide range of mostly thematic treatments, but you also have uh for treatments, but you also have uh for treatments, but you also have uh for example the one of the best volumes in example the one of the best volumes in example the one of the best volumes in this series is the one by Michael this series is the one by Michael this series is the one by Michael Morales on Leviticus, which is just Morales on Leviticus, which is just Morales on Leviticus, which is just about Leviticus, but the biblical about Leviticus, but the biblical about Leviticus, but the biblical theology of how what comes before theology of how what comes before theology of how what comes before Leviticus informs what's going on in Leviticus informs what's going on in Leviticus informs what's going on in Leviticus and how it points forward. And Leviticus and how it points forward. And Leviticus and how it points forward. And so this series right here is a little so this series right here is a little so this series right here is a little bit more on the advanced end of things bit more on the advanced end of things bit more on the advanced end of things in terms of there'll be a little bit in terms of there'll be a little bit in terms of there'll be a little bit more interaction with Greek and Hebrew more interaction with Greek and Hebrew more interaction with Greek and Hebrew and maybe some ancient Neareastern

and maybe some ancient Neareastern and maybe some ancient Neareastern backgrounds and but it's not the they're backgrounds and but it's not the they're backgrounds and but it's not the they're not dissertations. They're not. We we not dissertations. They're not. We we not dissertations. They're not. We we those who hand us dissertation type those who hand us dissertation type those who hand us dissertation type manuscripts, we have them take it down. manuscripts, we have them take it down. manuscripts, we have them take it down. We've got them. So part of my job is to We've got them. So part of my job is to We've got them. So part of my job is to make it more accessible. So it's high make it more accessible. So it's high make it more accessible. So it's high quality work. It's cutting edge, but quality work. It's cutting edge, but quality work. It's cutting edge, but we're still trying to keep it as we're still trying to keep it as we're still trying to keep it as accessible as we can. accessible as we can. accessible as we can. >> That's right.