A Paradigm for Biblical Theology
I propose that we think of Biblical Theology as train running along the tracks. The tracks are Exegetical Theology and Systematic Theology. The ties to which the tracks are attached are the Story of Israel. The laying of the ties sets the direction the train will travel. The tracks attach to the ties and enable the train to move toward its destination. Exegetical theology and systematic theology have in recent history operated as monorail systems. They worked in studied ignorance of each other. What was called “Biblical Theology” was an unstable hybrid monorail system, either one-sidedly directed to the biblical material or a systematic exposition of one or both testaments according to a pattern set by systematic theology. The ties which set the direction of the tracks are the Story of Israel. This is both the form and content of Biblical Theology. Exegetical and Systematic Theology are both grounded in this Story...