Biblical Theology: Retrospect Prospect

by Scott J. Hafemann (Editor)

Ever since Brevard Childs's 1970 declaration of the crisis in biblical theology, the discipline has faced rumors of its imminent demise. But the patient refuses to die. The doctors continue to argue over how to proceed with treatment and even over whether treatment is worth pursuing, but the patient hangs on. The turn of the millennium appears to be a good time for a fresh assessment of the discipline, where it has been, the status of various questions within it and its future prospects. Scott Hafemann pulls together a crack team of practitioners, scholars from the disciplines of both Old and New Testament studies, to give us a status report. After an introductory essay by Hafemann looking back on recent history, John H. Sailhammer (Southeastern Baptist), Brian G. Toews (Philadelphia College of the Bible), William J. Dumbrell (Presbyterian Theological Centre, Australia), Stephen G. Dempster (Atlantic Baptist), Richard Schults (Wheaton College), Gerald H. Wilson (Asuza Pacific) and M. Jay Wells chart the current state of Old Testament questions. James M. Scott (Trinity Western), Andreas J. KÖstenberger (Southeaster Baptist), G. K. Beale (Wheaton College) and Peter Stuhlmacher (TÜbingen) examine the state of New Testament studies. Questions surrounding the unity of the Bible are explored by Christopher R. Seitz (St. Andrew's, Scotland), Nicholas Perrin (Westminster Abbey), Stephen E. Fowl (Loyola-Baltimore), Daniel Pl Fuller (Fuller Theological Seminary) and Ted M. Dornan (Taylor University). The prognosis for biblical theology is then suggested by Paul R. House (Wheaton College) and Graeme Goldsworthy (Moore Theological College, Australia).

Genres: Biblical Studies, Theology

300 pages, Paperback

First published November 21, 2002

About the author

Scott J. Hafemann (DrTheol, Eberhard-Karls-Universitat Tubingen) is reader in New Testament studies at the University of St. Andrews. He is the author of numerous articles and of Paul, Moses, and the History of Israel; The God of Promise and the Life of Faith; Understanding the Heart of the Bible; and a commentary on 2 Corinthians. He is also the editor of Biblical Theology: Retrospect and Prospect.

Reviews

[Dmcconkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very challenging book. It is a subject that needs closer examination by all preachers & scholars. There is the tendency to preach/ teach from selected section of the Scriptures and or build doctrine on select sections & passages and ignore the rest of the Bible. This book challenges the reader to build a Biblical Theology that is consistent with all of Scripture, the flow of God's story from Genesis to Revelation. It is not a question whether one will agree with everything in this book - the question is how do you respond to this book based on the flow of Scripture to better understand and share God's will for our lives.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work admirably fulfills its goal, which is to take stock of the course of biblical theology and chart some paths toward a productive future. Most of the essays are both timely and skillful.

[Michael Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful volume on BT. Some of the contributions are better than others. Some appear more exegetically driven and others more theologically driven. Many helpful insights to studying the Bible.

[Ethan Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent resource for both method and content in biblical theology. Its strength lies not necessarily in the depth (though there most certainly is depth) but in the breadth of topics and views presented. Being a compilation of essays, this book exhibits a wide range of approaches to biblical theology that helps one understand better the different approaches taken in the field. Primarily, it was helpful to see the canonical approach to BT contrasted with a salvation historical approach. Not that these two are mutually exclusive, yet in this book, one can easily see the difference in emphases among biblical theologians. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to go deeper than surface-level into biblical theology. It is a highly enriching text that presents very intriguing proposals for the future of biblical theology.

[Jono Spear · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a collection of articles from different authors, so there’s a bit of diversity in quality. Notable contributions are Sailhamer’s Biblical Theology and the Composition of the Hebrew Bible, Dempster’s Geography and Genealogy - Dominion and Dynasty, and Goldsworthy’s Biblical Theology as the Heartbeat of Effective Ministry.