Christ-Centered Biblical Theology: Hermeneutical Foundations and Principles

by Graeme Goldsworthy

Publisher:

Apollos

, 2012

Overview

The appeal of biblical theology is that it provides a "big picture" that makes sense of the diversity of biblical literature. Through the lens of biblical theology the Bible ceases to be a mass of unconnected texts, but takes shape as a unified metanarrative connecting the story of Israel with that of Jesus. It presents the whole scene of God's revelation as one mighty plan of salvation. For fifty years Graeme Goldsworthy has been refining his understanding of biblical theology through his experiences as a student, pastor and teacher. In this valuable complement to his Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics, Goldsworthy defends and refines the rationale for his approach, drawing especially on the work of Australian biblical scholar Donald Robinson.

Contents

Top Highlights

“I followed their lead and began with the basic biblical timeline from creation to the new creation and marked it with the three main stages of revelation: biblical history from creation, and especially from Abraham, to Solomon; the eschatology of the writing prophets; and the fulfilment of all things in Christ.” (Page 25)

“Thus I stand by my initial suggestion that the central theme of Scripture is the kingdom of God defined simply as God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule.” (Page 77)

“At the heart of the gospel is the person of Jesus Christ; he is the word of God come in the flesh. The nature of the gospel is such that it establishes Jesus Christ at the centre of the biblical message. Biblical theology, then, is the study of how every text in the Bible relates to Jesus and his gospel. Thus we start with Christ so that we may end with Christ; he is the Alpha and Omega (Rev. 22:13). Biblical theology is Christological, for its subject matter is the whole Bible as God’s testimony to Christ. It is therefore, from start to finish, a study of Christ. But, since Christ is the mediator who makes the Father known, biblical theology is also theological and not solely Christological.” (Page 41)

“It should be clear from these comments that I conceive of biblical theology as the study of the Bible done in such a way as to take account of the unity of its message within its diversity. Such a study recognizes a historical time line running through the Scriptures so that we can speak of its storyline as both explicit in the narrative sections, and implicit in the non-narrative material. The quest for an evangelical biblical theology begins with the presupposition that the biblical literature and its historical storyline together provide the vehicle for God’s revelation of himself and his purposes for creation.” (Pages 28–29)

Product Details

• Title: Christ-Centred Biblical Theology: Hermeneutical Foundations and Principles
• Author: Graeme Goldsworthy
• Publisher: Apollos
• Print Publication Date: 2012
• Logos Release Date: 2020
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subject: Bible › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9781844745623, 1844745627
• Resource ID: LLS:WS_35A0B40FD74E429499237A602739BA43
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T04:06:06Z

About Graeme Goldsworthy

Graeme Goldsworthy is an Australian Anglican and Old Testament scholar. He was formerly lecturer in Old Testament, biblical theology and hermeneutics at Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia and continues to teach there part time. Goldsworthy is the author of According to Plan, Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture, Gospel Kingdom,The Gospel in Revelation and The Gospel and Wisdom. He has an MA from Cambridge University and a ThM and PhD from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia.