THE IMPORTANCE OF OLD TESTAMENT THEOLOGY
The basis of all of the teaching of Jesus, Paul and all of the other apostles was the Old Testament Scriptures. The reason that a great deal of the church is immature in its development is because of a weak understanding of the Old Testament.
PROCEDURE FOR BIBLICAL THEOLOGY
1. The Use of the Context.
a. The example of Isaac.
Isaac is seen digging wells. This does not seem very significant. But then you look at the larger context and see Abraham digging wells. The still larger context takes in the curse that was put upon man so that wells are necessary. And further still, we see that there is coming a day when the curse will be overthrown in a new heaven and a new earth.
b. The example of Jonah.
Most people see the book of Jonah as a big fish story and the "one that got away." When we read the entire book of Jonah and not how it ends, we see that it is a book about evangelism and how God views the pagan.
2. Use of the Hebrew Text.
3. Check Historical Background.
4. See Biblical Context.
If you are reading from Isaiah, be sure to check the other prophets who wrote during the 8th century.
5. Correlate with the New Testament.
a. Literary connection.
There are as many as 4000 allusions in the New Testament to the Old Testament. See the historical references in the New Testament. Note how the language of the Old Testament is used in the New Testament. The Septuagint is valuable because it tells us how the Jews of the 2nd century understood the Hebrew text.
b. Theological connection.
The words may be totally different, but many of the concepts of the Old and New Testaments may be connected.
6. Systematic Theology.
Ask how this passage impacts with the realm of Systematic Theology.
7. A Final Question.
At the end of your study, always be sure to ask how Christ is being presented in the passage. Remember that Christ is ALWAYS being presented in the Old Testament.
THE NATURE & METHOD OF OLD TESTAMENT BIBLICAL THEOLOGY
The first recognized Biblical Theology in modern times was introduced in 1787 by Dr. J.P. Gaebler. The basic question in Biblical Theology is the relation of the two Testaments.
Old Testament passage | 2 | New Testament fulfillment. |
Example: Cain kills his brother. Why? 1 John 3:12 says that is because he was of the evil one. Thus, the story of Cain and Abel is seen theologically as a Satanic attack upon the seed of the woman.
Walter Kaiser teaches that we should not go beyond that which had been revealed up to that point.
Old Testament passage | Go no further than what has been revealed. | NewTestament explanation is ignored. |
1. It is a Historical Discipline.
- Systematic Theology deals with the sum total of the Biblical teaching.
- Biblical Theology deals with the stages of manifestation of the Biblical revelation.
- Biblical Theology without Systematics often leads to heresy.
2. The place of Exegesis in Biblical Theology.
Exegesis | 2 | Biblical Theology | 2 | Systematic Theology |
3. The Distinctiveness of Biblical History.
By not seeing Biblical History as distinctive, people have thought that they ought to see God doing exactly the same actions which He was doing in the Old Testament.
For example, if Joshua went into Canaan and killed the Canaanites to take the land, why should not modern-day Israel go into the land and kill all of the Palestinians?
The Crusades were fought along the same lines of thinking.
a. Biblical History is Redemptive.
God in a unique sense acts in history to redeem men. For example, when Israel was being delivered out of Egypt, the passover lamb was a redemption from sin as well as a deliverance from the Egyptians. All of the firstborn were under the sentence of death. The reason for this is because of SIN.
When God set up the Kingship in Israel under David, there was a merger of David's Throne with God's Throne. I Chronicles says that Solomon sat on the seat of Yahweh. This passage could be taken to prove the Divine Right of Kings. Instead, we ought to see it fulfilled in Christ who sits today at the right hand of the Father and reigns from heaven.
One writer described the British evacuation of Dunkerque in World War II as a modern day Exodus event. But such a view puts Winston Churchill in the place of God as savior. There is no forgiveness of sin and no sacrifice.
b. Biblical history is Revelational.
History involves revelation about the way that man is to be redeemed from his sins. History today does not show men how they are to be redeemed. I cannot look at the Battle of the Alamo and see a picture of redemption.
But I CAN look at the Passover and see redemption pictured. This revelational history has a prophetic dimension to it. It is not only what happened historically in Egypt that is important.
It was not the lamb that was slain on Passover night that had the power to deliver men from sins. It was the Lamb of God who is Christ, our Passover, who is central to the Passover event.
- The same principle is seen in the story of Tamar. She commits adultery with her father-in-law, Judah. How is this redemptive history? It is the picture of God's determination to provide a saving seed despite the sinful plans of men. Tamar is later seen in the genealogy of Christ.
There is a principle of redemptive history at work here. It is that God will overcome all opposition to His Son.
- When David brings the ark to Jerusalem, this is not merely an act of religious desire, but a desire to join God's throne to David's throne. This predicts and anticipates the time when Christ, the son of David, will sit at the right hand of God.
4. Biblical Theology is Organic in Nature.
a. Germination.
In the early stages of revelation, you have in seed form all of the elements which will eventually follow. For example, in Genesis 3:15 you have in seed form all of the essential elements of the victory of Christ over Satan.
- Genesis 14 introduces Melchizedek as a priest-king who both rules and represents God.
- In Psalm 110 these is an enactment of this principle in the person of King David.
- Zechariah 6 pictures a priest being crowned.
- Hebrews 7 presents Jesus as the final fulfillment of the Melchizedek principle.
b. Growth. This organic principle includes the idea of a GROWTH factor.
- Genesis 3:15 includes...
- Joshua vs. the Canaanites.
- David vs. Goliath.
- Jesus vs. Satan.
c. Coherence.
There is no contradiction inherent in the work of God across the ages. You must always look for how the Old Testament principle carries over to its consummation in the New Testament.
- How does the command to Joshua to kill all of the Canaanites carry over to the New Testament? It is a picture of God's eventual judgment against sin.
- The dietary laws are no longer in effect today, but the principle of holiness which they teach continues.
5. Biblical Theology is Consummative in Character.
There is no one point that can be completely understood apart from its final fulfillment and eventual germination. As you see the truth in seed form, it is sometimes difficult to determine what kind of "tree" is going to grow into. The further along you get in its development, the clearer its final form becomes.
Seedling | 2 | Sappling | 2 | Tree |
It is for this reason that when you read the work of a Jewish Rabbi, you will come away with a limited (and sometimes erroneous) understanding of the Scriptures.
When you look at Abraham offering up Isaac on the altar, it is good to look at that event through the eyes of Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness. But you should not stop there. You need to also see it through the eyes of Isaiah 53 and through the eyes of the New Testament so that you see the cross.
A DEFINITION OF OLD TESTAMENT BIBLICAL THEOLOGY
The study of the progressive unfolding of the redemptive revelation of God in terms of its consummation in the New Covenant.
THE METHOD OF OLD TESTAMENT BIBLICAL THEOLOGY
1. Mark out the Epochs.
How do you choose among these epochs? We should not divide Scripture arbitrarily or according to our own mindset. We should let the divisions arise out of Scripture itself. What is the most basic division that you find in Scripture?
- Old Testament.
- New Testament.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 makes an obvious reference to the promise of a New Covenant as opposed to the Old Covenant which was in effect in that day (II Corinthians 3 speaks of a veiled and an unveiled covenant; Hebrews describes it as the good and the better).
There can be further divisions made by noting how God had formed covenants with men at various times.
" Noah.
" Abrahamic.
" Mosaic.
" Davidic.
Although there is only one New Covenant, there are also divisions within the epoch of the New Covenant.
" Period of John the Baptist.
" Period of Jesus.
" Apostolic age.
" Post-apostolic age.
" The age to come.
Dispensationalism (as presently taught by Dallas Theological Seminary) teaches a system of Dispensations which are "not to be intermingled or confused as they are chronologically successive."
2. Do Exegesis of the Period.
At this point, you must ask the question, "What would this have meant to the writer and also to the original reader?"
3. Let the Scripture's own Emphasis Predominate.
Let the progression of the revelation itself be the controlling factor in determining the nature of the epoch. As you read the Patriarchal Period, what is Moses emphasizing?
" A strict supernaturalism. The Lord insists on bringing the promised seed, not through Abraham's servant or handmaiden, but by God's own supernatural miracle of opening Sarah's womb.
" The Kingdom does not begin to be an emphasis until the Davidic Covenant.
4. Characterize the Ages.
- The Noahaic covenant is characterized by PRESERVATION.
- The Abrahamic Covenant is characterized by PROMISE.
Abraham is given a threefold promise.
It involves a promise of...
- A seed.
- A land.
- A blessing.
Everything that you see in the life of Abraham can be interpreted in the light of one of these three promises.
- The Davidic Covenant is characterized by KINGDOM.
ESSENTIAL PRESUPPOSITIONS
1. Infallible Revelation.
This is in contradiction to Karl Barth and his view of the Scriptures (He writes his theology and entitles it, "The Christian Faith." He does not think of it as Biblical reality).
2. Objective Reality of the Revelation.
People have affirmed the Bible as true in matters of "faith and practice." What they are saying is that it is not based upon objective reality.
3. Inspired Inscripturation of the Revelation.
God could have revealed Himself to Abraham, but if that revelation was not accurately recorded, then it is useless to us.
4. Consummation for the Revelation.
The revelation of the New Covenant has a consummation which focuses upon Christ.
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