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Biblical Theology: A Canonical, Thematic, and Ethical Approach
A Clear, Careful Textbook to Help Bible Students Interpret Scripture
Pastors, thoughtful Christians, and students of Scripture must learn how to carefully read and understand the Bible, but it can be difficult to know where to start. In this clear, logical guide, Andreas J. Köstenberger and Gregory Goswell explain how to interpret Scripture from three effective canonical, thematic, and ethical.
Biblical Theology is arranged book by book from the Old Testament (using the Hebrew order) through the New Testament. For each text, Köstenberger and Goswell analyze key biblical-theological themes, discussing the book’s place in the overall storyline of Scripture. Next, they focus on the ethical component, showing how God seeks to transform the lives of his people through the inspired text. Following this technique, readers will better understand the theology of each book and its author.
A Clearly Written Guide on Biblical Analyzes all 66 books of the Bible, with emphasis on the coherent, unified framework of Scripture Helps Readers Thoughtfully Interpret Provides an essential foundation for a valid theological understanding of Scripture that informs Christian doctrine and ethics Ideal for Pastors, Academics, and Other Serious Students of This clear, thoroughly researched guide can be used as a textbook in seminary classes studying biblical theology or the Old and New Testaments1016 pages, Hardcover
Published March 21, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 26, 2023
A Clear, Careful Textbook to Help Bible Students Interpret Scripture
This year I have wanted to be intentional about studying and understanding biblical theology. This book came at the right time. It explains how to interpret the Bible and its books from three viewpoints: canonical, thematic, and ethical. The language is not always easy for me, causing me to slow down and rethink certain parts; yet it feels like the authors are sitting down with me helping me to understand. The first chapter is on biblical theology and their approach. Then it’s broken down in to the Old and New Testaments, the groups of books, and then individually each of books. I’m reading through the Bible again this year with Bible Recap and each book, I’m reading the text in Biblical Theology.
* Crossway - March 22, 2023
* hardcover - 1,016 pages
Thank you to Crossway for sending along this book!
This year I have wanted to be intentional about studying and understanding biblical theology. This book came at the right time. It explains how to interpret the Bible and its books from three viewpoints: canonical, thematic, and ethical. The language is not always easy for me, causing me to slow down and rethink certain parts; yet it feels like the authors are sitting down with me helping me to understand. The first chapter is on biblical theology and their approach. Then it’s broken down in to the Old and New Testaments, the groups of books, and then individually each of books. I’m reading through the Bible again this year with Bible Recap and each book, I’m reading the text in Biblical Theology.
* Crossway - March 22, 2023
* hardcover - 1,016 pages
Thank you to Crossway for sending along this book!
July 26, 2024
An excellent overview of Biblical Theology. Scholarly, yet very readable. Well worth the time and will enhance any Bible student’s understanding and wonder of Holy Scripture.
April 18, 2023
I had the privilege of reading this book and then interviewing Dr. Köstenberger and Dr. Goswell about it (you can find the interview at episode 221 on the Cave To The Cross Apologetics podcast). Biblical Theology has almost taken a backseat in scholarship and subscribing to the "best" systematic theology seems to be all the rage (in certain circles). The authors do a great job of showing the value biblical theology has to offer and how it can work hand-in-hand with systematic theology.
You really do get three different books with this - a general overview of biblical theology; walking through all 66 books of the Bible focusing on theme, background, and the ethical point of view of each book; and you practically get a systematic theology from the previous two sections. Notes and citations are at the bottom of the page just as the good Lord intends it, and the citations and different organizations at the back will be very helpful as a reference guide. There are also sections of overview and reference concerning the whole Old Testament, also the period between the Testaments, and a section on the New Testament. Dr. Goswell took the Old Testament as a well-versed and solid evangelical scholar. Dr. Köstenberger
One can use this resource as a reference guide - walking through a book of the Bible you're going to read through, teach on, or write about will give you a good look using the trifold highlights. One can also read the book straight through, as I did, and see the beautiful way in which the Lord communicates who He is and what He wants from us as you walk through all 66 books of The Bible. The authors are biblically solid and have a high view of Scripture which makes this a valuable resource for those at any stage of Bible study.
I would definitely recommend the interview which can be found on YouTube, Rumble, Odysee, or your favorite podcast catcher (Cave To The Cross Apologetics episode 221) for a fuller discussion.
You really do get three different books with this - a general overview of biblical theology; walking through all 66 books of the Bible focusing on theme, background, and the ethical point of view of each book; and you practically get a systematic theology from the previous two sections. Notes and citations are at the bottom of the page just as the good Lord intends it, and the citations and different organizations at the back will be very helpful as a reference guide. There are also sections of overview and reference concerning the whole Old Testament, also the period between the Testaments, and a section on the New Testament. Dr. Goswell took the Old Testament as a well-versed and solid evangelical scholar. Dr. Köstenberger
One can use this resource as a reference guide - walking through a book of the Bible you're going to read through, teach on, or write about will give you a good look using the trifold highlights. One can also read the book straight through, as I did, and see the beautiful way in which the Lord communicates who He is and what He wants from us as you walk through all 66 books of The Bible. The authors are biblically solid and have a high view of Scripture which makes this a valuable resource for those at any stage of Bible study.
I would definitely recommend the interview which can be found on YouTube, Rumble, Odysee, or your favorite podcast catcher (Cave To The Cross Apologetics episode 221) for a fuller discussion.
September 8, 2023
What are the Bible’s biggest themes? In Biblical Theology: A Canonical, Thematic, and Ethical Approach, Andreas J. Köstenberger and Gregory Goswell present an outstanding textbook to help Bible students interpret Scripture.
Detailed and Comprehensive
At nearly 1000 pages, this book is a monument and a masterpiece. It opens with the first 60 pages addressing the nature, practice, and significance of biblical theology. The authors use the analogy of biblical theology as a moderated family conversation. There are many voices, with some having more to say than others, but everyone should be heard.
The book then embarks on a journey through the old and New Testament, looking at each book, and discussing the themes, ethics, and storyline of scripture. This is a robust work — detailed and comprehensive. It will be exceptionally useful for preachers and teachers, while remaining helpful for serious personal study.
Beauty and Brilliance
I was most interested to consider the book ordering of the Bible, and how it impacts it’s theology. For instance, the Pentateuch is cleverly laid out, with the book of Leviticus and its theme of holiness at the center. Certainly, this is a beautiful look at the centrality of God’s holiness and its prominent place in the lives of his people. I was most moved in studying Romans, where the ethics of Romans is predicated upon the doctrine of the total depravity of humanity. Against this dark backdrop, the theme of the gospel shines.
The book ends with a 100 page conclusion, presenting a broad view of the biblical themes, ethics, and storyline of the entire Bible. It is enriching, worshipful, and enjoyable to read. Diving into this book will change how are you read, understand, interpret, and even apply the Bible. This is an incredible resource, and an unparalleled work. It is a testimony to the beauty of the Bible and the brilliance of its Author.
I received a media copy of Biblical Theology: A Canonical, Thematic, and Ethical Approach and this is my honest review.
Detailed and Comprehensive
At nearly 1000 pages, this book is a monument and a masterpiece. It opens with the first 60 pages addressing the nature, practice, and significance of biblical theology. The authors use the analogy of biblical theology as a moderated family conversation. There are many voices, with some having more to say than others, but everyone should be heard.
The book then embarks on a journey through the old and New Testament, looking at each book, and discussing the themes, ethics, and storyline of scripture. This is a robust work — detailed and comprehensive. It will be exceptionally useful for preachers and teachers, while remaining helpful for serious personal study.
Beauty and Brilliance
I was most interested to consider the book ordering of the Bible, and how it impacts it’s theology. For instance, the Pentateuch is cleverly laid out, with the book of Leviticus and its theme of holiness at the center. Certainly, this is a beautiful look at the centrality of God’s holiness and its prominent place in the lives of his people. I was most moved in studying Romans, where the ethics of Romans is predicated upon the doctrine of the total depravity of humanity. Against this dark backdrop, the theme of the gospel shines.
The book ends with a 100 page conclusion, presenting a broad view of the biblical themes, ethics, and storyline of the entire Bible. It is enriching, worshipful, and enjoyable to read. Diving into this book will change how are you read, understand, interpret, and even apply the Bible. This is an incredible resource, and an unparalleled work. It is a testimony to the beauty of the Bible and the brilliance of its Author.
I received a media copy of Biblical Theology: A Canonical, Thematic, and Ethical Approach and this is my honest review.
September 19, 2023
This book is a helpful resource for any student of the Bible. The book explains the purpose and methods of biblical theology and surveys each book of the Bible, explaining its themes, ethics, and biblical storyline (canonical placement and influence). The authors also survey the broader theological connections in each sub-group of biblical books (Torah, Gospels, etc.) and conclude with an overview of the themes, ethics, and storyline of the whole testaments.
The book is most helpful in two ways:
1) The introduction provides a comprehensive explanation of what biblical theology is and how to practice it effectly. The conclusion provides the big-picture themes, ethics, and canonical storyline of the Bible as a whole. Considering the whole book is 763 pages of reading text, an interested student may start with these major sections for a general understanding of what Kostenberger and Goswell are presenting.
2) The book-by-book discussion of biblical themes, ethics, and storyline is helpful for anyone who needs consolidated information and sources on a specific book or group of books in the Bible. For instance, preachers and teachers would greatly benefit from surveying a specific book's theological information before teaching a series through that book.
Ultimately, this book is an invaluable well of insight and worthy resource for any theological library.
The book is most helpful in two ways:
1) The introduction provides a comprehensive explanation of what biblical theology is and how to practice it effectly. The conclusion provides the big-picture themes, ethics, and canonical storyline of the Bible as a whole. Considering the whole book is 763 pages of reading text, an interested student may start with these major sections for a general understanding of what Kostenberger and Goswell are presenting.
2) The book-by-book discussion of biblical themes, ethics, and storyline is helpful for anyone who needs consolidated information and sources on a specific book or group of books in the Bible. For instance, preachers and teachers would greatly benefit from surveying a specific book's theological information before teaching a series through that book.
Ultimately, this book is an invaluable well of insight and worthy resource for any theological library.
April 15, 2025
"For too long, an illegitimate separation has been made between the study of what God does and says (theology) prescriptions of what humans are to do and say in response (ethics)... Ignoring the ethical dimension of biblical revelation is not an option." - Andreas Köstenberger & Gregory Goswell
Similar in my comments to Scobie's work, this is a lot of book. Köstenberger & Goswell seek to develop a book by book Biblical theology that is comprehensive of both testaments. I think this book will best be utilized as an introductory quick reference guide when preaching or teaching through a book. Reading straight through the book becomes quite the slog. It turns into a "this book says this, this book says this," summary of material you're already familiar with. Some good material here, and the introductory articles are worth a read, but past that it makes for some dull reading. I ended up skimming the second half of the book.
Similar in my comments to Scobie's work, this is a lot of book. Köstenberger & Goswell seek to develop a book by book Biblical theology that is comprehensive of both testaments. I think this book will best be utilized as an introductory quick reference guide when preaching or teaching through a book. Reading straight through the book becomes quite the slog. It turns into a "this book says this, this book says this," summary of material you're already familiar with. Some good material here, and the introductory articles are worth a read, but past that it makes for some dull reading. I ended up skimming the second half of the book.
December 9, 2023
Excellent biblical theology that covers both the Old and New Testaments. The authors write clearly and are clearly conversant in their respective fields of study. What perhaps makes this volume stand out from other works in biblical theology is the authors' appreciation for canonical criticism (e.g., Childs, Dempster) and their focus on the ethical. Overall, despite its size, I would consider this an intermediate rather than advanced work as they frequently restate their points and do not assume the reader possessed an advanced knowledge of OT or NT studies.
September 6, 2024
A biblical survey which includes info on significant biblical themes and allusions to other texts of Scripture. Goswell and Kostenberger also attempt to deal a little with some modern scholarship in a limited capacity for each book of the Bible.
It is helpful as a beginner/intermediate reference work.
Overall, I think the book is largely redundant if you already own a lot of biblical resources.
Also note that a lot of 5 star reviews on new evangelical books are by people who get given the books for free to give a review (e.g. spoiledmilks, Brent Niedergall, Cam Hyde, diveindigdeep) so they are generally inflated.
It is helpful as a beginner/intermediate reference work.
Overall, I think the book is largely redundant if you already own a lot of biblical resources.
Also note that a lot of 5 star reviews on new evangelical books are by people who get given the books for free to give a review (e.g. spoiledmilks, Brent Niedergall, Cam Hyde, diveindigdeep) so they are generally inflated.
April 2, 2023
Incredibly helpful resource. Highly recommend.
May 15, 2023
See my longer review on SpoiledMilks (4/12/23).
Biblical theology (BT) has been flourishing for the last forty years, particularly within North American evangelical world, even though there is no single agreed-upon methodology on how to do BT. OT scholar Gregory Goswell and NT scholar Andreas Köstenberger have teamed up to write a comprehensive BT of the whole Bible, “seeking to discern the theological contributions of the biblical writers themselves” (8).
In doing this these two scholars “adopt a thematic, ethical, and canonical approach” (7), showing the themes and ethics of each of the Bible’s 66 books as well as how that book fits into the storyline of Scripture.
Chapter 1 gives a quick history of the biblical theology movement.
The book is the divided into two parts: the Old Testament (Part One) and the New Testament (Part Two). Both sections begin with the order of the books (chs 2 and 6), also called “paratext.” I really enjoyed these sections, even though it can certainly feel pedantic reading about the different book placements in various manuscript traditions, and trying to remember which book sits where in both the Hebrew and Greek orders. That said, I found it fascinated to read about what it would mean to read the Old Testament if certain books were in a different order (like those of the Writings) or if Daniel were the last book of the OT, or Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah, or even Esther.
Next KG cover the Torah (ch 3), the Prophets (ch 4), and the Writings (ch 5). Each chapter ends with its own section covering the main themes, ethics, and place within the storyline of Scripture.
Chapter 7 covers the relationship between the testaments, a huge deal in NT studies now. This chapter looks at possible influences of the OT on the structure of the NT. They give a brief book-by-book look at the NT books and when they make reference to the OT.
The authors then examine cover the themes, ethics, and storyline placement of the Gospels (ch 8), Acts (ch 9), Paul’s letters (ch 10), the Catholic/General Epistles (ch 11), and Revelation (ch 12).
The book ends with a final chapter surveying biblical themes and ethics in both testaments and a brief storyline of both OT and NT. The authors synthesize the message of the whole Bible here so that OT themes like creation have forward-thinking NT ideas in them.
ts Israel’s redemption from exile as a new creative work (e.g., Isa. 43:1, 15)” (694).
Recommended?
This is a hefty, careful, and important work. It is a book that not only draws together threads from all across the Bible, but one that is concerned with how we live, with ethics that come from the full scope of Scripture. This is a reminder that we cannot stop at mere knowledge of theology. Scripture should transform us into ethical and virtuous people who walk God’s paths. They briefly teach a proper methodology and then show it, book-by-book, emphasizing both the diversity of the different books in the Bible and the Bible’s own unity. This magnum opus comes highly recommended.
Biblical theology (BT) has been flourishing for the last forty years, particularly within North American evangelical world, even though there is no single agreed-upon methodology on how to do BT. OT scholar Gregory Goswell and NT scholar Andreas Köstenberger have teamed up to write a comprehensive BT of the whole Bible, “seeking to discern the theological contributions of the biblical writers themselves” (8).
In doing this these two scholars “adopt a thematic, ethical, and canonical approach” (7), showing the themes and ethics of each of the Bible’s 66 books as well as how that book fits into the storyline of Scripture.
Chapter 1 gives a quick history of the biblical theology movement.
The book is the divided into two parts: the Old Testament (Part One) and the New Testament (Part Two). Both sections begin with the order of the books (chs 2 and 6), also called “paratext.” I really enjoyed these sections, even though it can certainly feel pedantic reading about the different book placements in various manuscript traditions, and trying to remember which book sits where in both the Hebrew and Greek orders. That said, I found it fascinated to read about what it would mean to read the Old Testament if certain books were in a different order (like those of the Writings) or if Daniel were the last book of the OT, or Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah, or even Esther.
Next KG cover the Torah (ch 3), the Prophets (ch 4), and the Writings (ch 5). Each chapter ends with its own section covering the main themes, ethics, and place within the storyline of Scripture.
Chapter 7 covers the relationship between the testaments, a huge deal in NT studies now. This chapter looks at possible influences of the OT on the structure of the NT. They give a brief book-by-book look at the NT books and when they make reference to the OT.
The authors then examine cover the themes, ethics, and storyline placement of the Gospels (ch 8), Acts (ch 9), Paul’s letters (ch 10), the Catholic/General Epistles (ch 11), and Revelation (ch 12).
The book ends with a final chapter surveying biblical themes and ethics in both testaments and a brief storyline of both OT and NT. The authors synthesize the message of the whole Bible here so that OT themes like creation have forward-thinking NT ideas in them.
ts Israel’s redemption from exile as a new creative work (e.g., Isa. 43:1, 15)” (694).
Recommended?
This is a hefty, careful, and important work. It is a book that not only draws together threads from all across the Bible, but one that is concerned with how we live, with ethics that come from the full scope of Scripture. This is a reminder that we cannot stop at mere knowledge of theology. Scripture should transform us into ethical and virtuous people who walk God’s paths. They briefly teach a proper methodology and then show it, book-by-book, emphasizing both the diversity of the different books in the Bible and the Bible’s own unity. This magnum opus comes highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews