God's Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible

by Vaughan Roberts

Sixty-six books written by forty people over nearly 2,000 years, in two languages and several different genres. A worldwide bestseller published in countless sizes and bindings, translations and languages. Sworn by in court, fought over by religious people, quoted in arguments. The Bible is clearly no ordinary book. How can you begin to read and understand it as a whole? In this excellent overview, Vaughan Roberts gives you the big picture—showing how the different parts of the Bible fit together under the theme of the kingdom of God. He provides both the encouragement and the tools to help you read the Bible with confidence and understanding. And he points you to the Bible's supreme subject, Jesus Christ, and the salvation God offers through him.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Biblical Studies, Faith, Christian Non Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Vaughan came to faith as he read through Matthew’s Gospel for himself as a teenager. After studying law at Cambridge University and a brief spell doing student ministry in South Africa, he moved to Oxford to study Theology at Wycliffe Hall and has lived in the city ever since. In 1991 he joined the staff of St Ebbe’s Church to lead the student ministry and since 1998 he has been Rector. He is also the Director of the Proclamation Trust, an organisation that encourages and equips Bible teachers. In his spare time Vaughan writes books and plays cricket and golf.

see also Vaughan Roberts' sister Clare Heath-Whyte

Reviews

[Jelinas · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was younger and I first began to read the Bible in earnest, I learned to read passages in little chunks, deconstructing each sentence so that I could fully understand the meaning of each word in its context before moving on to the next bit. I would sometimes spend days meditating on a particular verse, especially if it presented a list of virtues to consider (e.g. Galatians 5:22-23). I would dedicate a day to each virtue, meditating on how I could cultivate each of these virtues in my life.

So having to read this book all in one shot for a class was... different from my usual experience with Scripture, to say the least.

The premise of this book is that the Bible is one unified story, and the main character is Jesus Christ. Even though we aren't formally introduced to Him until the Gospel of Matthew, everything up to that point foreshadows Him and points to Him.

I whipped through the book in just over an hour. I then laid in bed and marveled at the big picture of God's Word.

This book was an excellent, clearly-written summary of a topic that ought to be too big to be contained in such a small tome. But Roberts did an excellent job of making his point without belaboring it. After reading it, I wanted to know more about how all of creation, from the time of its genesis, was waiting for Jesus to come and redeem it. And, now that we have seen Him revealed, those of us who believe are waiting for Him to return in glory. But, as we wait, we have the Word of God to remind us to wait with joy for what is surely coming.

I can't wait to see Jesus with my own eyes. But, until then, I'll see Him in Scripture, described with the loving clarity that only a Father could express.

If you're looking for a primer on the overarching theme of Jesus in the Bible, I'd definitely give this book a thumbs-up.

[Eleasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spiritual tragedy having grown up in a Protestant church is that I was never taught that there is one over-arching storyline that can be traced from the OT to the NT, with its climax found in Christ. Being taught this through the faithful preaching of those in Queensland that I've had the privilege of learning from has opened my eyes & mind & heart to God's big picture (aka Biblical theology). I've read Graeme Goldsworthy's Trilogy before, but Vaughan Roberts makes Biblical theology more digestible and complete with helpful quotes & analogies throughout each chapter. Just finished going through this book with a sister of mine and we've both found his writing style clear & concise and the book filled with helpful analogies, graphics, and charts. Highly recommended for self-study & one-to-one or group study!

[Olivia Bedenbaugh]

Very approachable and applicable!

[Emma S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to the biblical theology. I probably should have read this several years ago; it was more of a refresher for me, rather than bringing any new material to chew over. The clear People/Place/God's Rule and Blessing is simple and helpful as we trace the Bible storyline, and Vaughan offers key passages for study and reflection.
Probably best for people who already have a good level of Bible knowledge but just need a bit of help putting it all together. It's quite meaty for such a small book, and would benefit from small group study / sermons to really grasp the implications of God's big plan.

[Kyosti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great primer for Biblical Theology.
Concepts laid out in laymen’s terms.

I used it to lead a few young men at church through the larger scope of Gods plan for redemptive history.

Highly recommend!

[Tyler Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an excellent overview of the Bible. The charts and graphs are very helpful, especially as you see God continually fulfill His promises. This would be a wonderful read for a new Christian who has just finished a first read-through of the Bible.

“He redeems them before they receive the law. Their obedience is not to be a desperate attempt to earn his salvation; it is a response to the salvation he has already achieved for them.” (pg. 69)

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vaughan Roberts explains the grand overarching narrative of the Bible with excellent clarity, without presuming prior knowledge. His writing style is easy to follow and use of diagrams helpful (I don't know about you but I find that visual aids really help me learn). He shows the centrality of Jesus at each point in God's story and fits each section within its larger context. I found the last chapter ('The Perfected Kingdom') the most controversial (as probably should be expected from content on the book of Revelation) and probably learned the most from it.

This book has been personally helpful for me in learning and reinforcing biblical truths and has left me more captivated by the beauty of God's kindness and plan for humanity. I've also found it a great resource for 1 to 1 Bible study, using the studies in each chapter. It's a great read for anyone interested in learning about the Christian understanding of God's story and definitely worthwhile for those who might know more too.

[Jeremy Fritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful overview of the story of Scripture. Definitely would be a great discipleship tool for someone who is not familiar with the Bible.

[Jack Crawshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been unable to finish a book for quite some time since uni, but flown through this. Really helpful tool to look at the bible with, even having its own little bible study sections.

Puts everything into perspective for you, and reads exceptionally well.

[Imani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough even though it has a great breadth! This gives a great general overview of the whole Bible in terms of a central them of God's kingdom. The timeline grows as the book goes on so by the end you've got a good way to place yourself no matter what book you're reading.

[Phil Kline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Style was too dry and cursory for me, it was hard to feel engaged. Nevertheless, the "big picture" of Roberts' book is extremely important, and he does a good job of outlining ways of seeing that the Bible truly is one cohesive book with God and his love, glory and redemption at the center. The graphs and study questions make it best suited as a resource for teaching the big picture of the Bible or for beginning your own study.

[Ethan Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, really simple. Recommend for new Christians!

[JT Stead]

Great introduction to biblical theology.

[Stephen Hoogerhyde · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Roberts writes in his preface, his aim is "to provide all Christians, from the new convert to the mature believer, with an overview of the whole Bible that will help them see how the different parts fit together." He does that by using the framework of the kingdom of God, using a definition of the kingdom as "God's people in God's place under God's rule and blessing". And, as Edmund Clowney and Graeme Goldsworthy (and others) have opined, Roberts states, "The Bible must be understood and read as one book with one ultimate author, God, and one ultimate subject, God's plan of salvation through his Son Jesus."

Starting with creation and the garden of Eden, Roberts shows us the pattern of the kingdom. The fall brings in the perished kingdom. He moves on to the promises to Abraham and the promised kingdom, then to the partial kingdom partially fulfilled in Israel, then to the latter half of the Old Testament and the prophesied kingdom. Moving on to the New Testament, he shows us the present kingdom in the earthly ministry of Jesus, then on to the proclaimed kingdom throughout most of the rest of the New Testament, and finally shows us the perfected kingdom portrayed in Revelation.

Roberts gives helpful charts throughout the book, including showing how each phase of the kingdom portrays God's people, God's place, and God's rule and blessing. Each chapter concludes with a Bible study of one portion of the Scriptures relevant to that particular manifestation of the kingdom of God.

This is a very approachable book, very simple to read and understand. It's a great start to how to read and understand the Bible, how to interpret it, and how to apply it to our lives. For his purpose isn't to address only the intellect, but also the emotions and will of the Bible reader. He wants us to know Christ in all the Scriptures, teach him from all the Scriptures, and love him through all the Scriptures. As he concludes, "As we learn about Christ from the whole Bible, let us determine to love, honour, worship and obey him."

[Emily Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

So very thankful for my church that is seeking to equip its body! Loved reading this as a part of the Christian Story class.

It was encouraging to see bits of what I was reading in this book in my own Bible reading. It’s been sweet picking up on how God so intricately planned every aspect of his creation and the words given to sinful humans to articulate his perfect Word. So thankful for the cross and the freedom I have because of Christ, and how fortunate I am to read about him in the Bible as long as I have breath in my lungs! May I never take that gift for granted.

[Lian · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter what stage you are in your Christian faith, I believe that this book will provide a good reminder that all things lead back to Christ and that he is the centre of it all in whom we should glorify. This book, through Roberts’ informative timeline of the Bible, allowed me to reflect that it is nothing that we have done or our good works could do, but it is all because of salvation through God’s grace that we can do good.

100% would read again!

[Rachel Ekberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good simple intro to biblical theology focused on the theme of kingdom. Structurally very easy to follow & includes discussion questions.

However, there are definitely several other biblical theology books I would recommend above this one. Check out What is Biblical Theology or Christ from Beginning to End.

[Nathaniel Hintzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bible is not a random collection of books scattered throughout antiquity that merely have loose ties to one another. Rather, it is one cohesive, grand-arching story of how God, from beginning to end, restores his creation back to himself through Jesus Christ, His Son.
God’s Big Picture, seeks to show you that thread and every pit stop it makes along the way to help you understand scripture better.
It accomplishes that goal with precision and clarity.

[Steve Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

TGC course here:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/co...

Review here:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/bl...

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to reading the Bible as one story. It would be a great starting place for studying theology. Roberts lets the Bible speak where it speaks but doesn’t try to make it say something that isn’t in the text.

[Diane Estrella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definitely accomplished what it set out to do...

See Jesus in ALL Scripture
Teach Jesus in ALL Scripture
Love Jesus even more.

It was easy for me to read the Bible in bits and pieces and not see the whole Bible as one big story. Very helpful and useful.

[John Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent summary of Goldsworthy. Great reading with college students

[Davis Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of the Bible that shows major themes that point to Jesus.

[Graham Yarnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The hope in reading this was to get a better mental grasp on the big picture of the Bible. I also wanted to see themes that I might have just not made connections. The theme of the Temple really opened up for me. The Spirit revealed more of the Father and the Son, so that was worth it all.

[Adrie Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it!

[Carol J. Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great little book. Roberts makes the Bible come together as one complete big picture of God’s unfolding plan to save the world. All believers should read it!

[Robin Primm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great easy read to understand and guide you through the Bible. I recommend it to anyone who is trying to make sense of the old and new testament

[Gareth Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just re-read God's Big Picture for the first time in twelve years. I'm really glad I did.

In this short little book, Vaughan Roberts gives a wonderful overview of the Bible that helps you to take in the over-arching story of the Bible. What I really like about the book is its clarity and warmth. This is not a technical book, this is a book written to help the ordinary Christian to understand how Exodus fits with Matthew, what on earth is going on in the book of Amos, and how Revelation should give them hope for the future.

Reading it again after twelve years, I'm struck by how foundational this book has been in my own life. Though I had forgotten its pages, God's Big Picture helped me to understand the Bible for myself something I'll be forever grateful for.

I'll certainly continue to recommend this slim volume to every Christian who wants to know the Bible and the God who speaks though it better, and I hope to read it again within the next twelve years.

[Darren Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introductory level book which is based on kingdom theology framework for beginners to understand how the bible unfolds as one unified story. This is a book that I will recommend to anybody, especially in an environment where I'm required to be much more "neutral" in my theological stance. This is a book where most denominations will be able to find common ground to stand on.

As someone who holds to Covenant Theology framework, unfortunately I couldn't give 5 stars because there are some disagreements in this book with Covenant Theology, especially with regards to the Holy Spirit. The author of this book probably has not considered the following questions which were considered by the Reformers a long time ago

1. Can one enter the kingdom of God without the water and Spirit as mentioned by Jesus to Nicodemus? (John 3:5)

2. Does TULIP applies to the Old Testament believers? Are Old Testament believers saved through the "Arminian" way or the "Calvinist" way?

3. If union of Christ through the Spirit is necessary to receive all the spiritual blessings such as justification by faith, regeneration to overcome total depravity, and perseverance of the saints, then are these necessary for the Old Testament believers too? Can one under the OT have faith and repentance without the indwelling of the HS? Are the Ordo Salutis of the OT believers different from NT believers?

4. When did the invisible church, the body of Christ begins? At the New Testament Pentecost or during Adam's time after the fall? If it was the latter, how can the OT believers be incorporated to the body of Christ without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit?

I'm still looking for a beginner biblical theology book similar to God's Big Picture but written from a covenant theology perspective. Seems like Covenants Made Simple: Understanding God's Unfolding Promises to His People written by Jonty Rhodes might be what I'm looking for, but I have yet to read it so I'm unable to comment on this book at the moment.

Meanwhile, here are some statements from the Westminster Confession of Faith to show the understanding of Covenant Theology with regards to the Reformed doctrine of sin and salvation clashes with the Vaughan Robert's understanding of the Holy Spirit.

WCF 3.6
As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath He, by the eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto. Wherefore they who are elected being fallen in Adam are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ by His Spirit working in due season; are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by His power through faith unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.

WCF 7.3
Man by his fall having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second, commonly called the covenant of grace: wherein He freely offered unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in Him, that they may be saved, and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life, His Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe.

WCF 7.5
This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law, and in the time of the gospel: under the law it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews, all fore-signifying Christ to come, which were for that time sufficient and efficacious, through the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah, by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation, and is called the Old Testament.

WCF 11.4
God did, from all eternity, decree to justify the elect; and Christ did, in the fullness of time, die for their sins and rise again for their justification; nevertheless they are not justified until the Holy Spirit doth, in due time, actually apply Christ unto them.

WCF 17.2
This perseverance of the saints depends, not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ; the abiding of the Spirit and of the seed of God within them; and the nature of the covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.

In addition, it also appears to be incompatible with the Anglicanism 39 Articles, particularly article 17 because it stated that all whom God hath chosen in Christ (which I believe this implies OT believers too) received the same benefit of everlasting salvation (perseverance), effectual calling, justification, adoption and transformation into the image of Christ through the Spirit of Christ.

Article 17: Predestination to Life is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby (before the foundations of the world were laid) he hath constantly decreed by his counsel secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation, as vessels made to honour. Wherefore, they which be endued with so excellent a benefit of God, be called according to God's purpose by his Spirit working in due season: they through Grace obey the calling: they be justified freely: they be made sons of God by adoption: they be made like the image of his only-begotten Son Jesus Christ: they walk religiously in good works, and at length, by God's mercy, they attain to everlasting felicity. As the godly consideration of Predestination, and our Election in Christ, is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly persons, and such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ, mortifying the works of the flesh, and their earthly members, and drawing up their mind to high and heavenly things, as well because it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal Salvation to be enjoyed through Christ as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God...

[Lee Gerrietts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid entry level biblical theology. The author is heavily relying on Graeme Goldworthy which is commendable. Some things could have been elaborated on, but the intention of the book was broad in its scope.

For an entry level book on biblical theology and understanding how the bible relates as a whole to God's redemptive history, I highly recommend to the new Christian, new member, youth, or anyone new to understanding the bible as a whole.

I think most of my church should read this as a starter.

For a quick introduction this book is highly recommended. If you have some familiarity with the Bible as a whole, then I recommend a more in-depth treatment of biblical theology by Graeme Goldworthy: According to Plan.