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Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church: A Guide for Ministry (9Marks)

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Biblical theology is a specific type of way to study the Bible from the perspective of redemptive history. It is an attempt to look at how God revealed himself to humanity at different stages of redemption: at creation, at the fall, during the time of Noah, Abraham and the patriarchs, and on throughout the Old Testament into the New Testament.

Since Geerhardus Vos wrote his classic work Biblical Theology Biblical Theology, evangelicals have continued to realize the importance of the discipline. In fact, we have numerous books out now that are good introductions to the task of Biblical theology, and Michael Lawrence has added a helpful resource with his book Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church: A Guide for Ministry.

Lawrence means two things by biblical theology. First, he means sound theology, theology that is biblical. Second, he means what is properly called biblical theology: the whole story of the whole Bible. Usually the first definition is closer to what we call systematic theology, and for that reason, Lawrence devotes two chapters to the integration to biblical theology and systematic theology.

The book is divided into three sections. Section 1 examines the tools that are needed to interpret the Bible, which includes exegetical tools, Biblical theological tools, and systematic theological tools. Section 2 provides examples of the task of biblical theology under the title, "The Stories to be Told." Here Lawrence looks at Creation, Fall, Love, Sacrifice, and Promise. Section 3 concludes the book with "Putting It Together For the Church," examining some case studies of preaching and teaching and how it applies to the local church.

Lawrence has provided a helpful resource for those who are unfamiliar with the task of biblical theology, as well as a helpful guide to interpreting the Bible in general. For example, the first section not only introduces you to biblical theology by examining covenants, epochs, prophecy, typology, and continuity, but it also introduces you to the basic grammatical-historical method by explaining literary forms and genres.

For those who have been working at biblical theology for a while, this would be a helpful resource to have on your shelf. It provides a quick summary of some of the major points, and Lawrence provides helpful references to other important works. I think the book is most helpful for its ability to provide this summary. Lawrence is not attempting to move the discussion forward in terms of the interaction of BT & ST (from the discussions of Warfield, Vos, Murray, Gaffin, Kline, etc.), or in terms of the homiletic significance of biblical theology (as in the hermeneutic being the homiletic).

When I first saw the book, I thought Lawrence was going in this direction, but that would have been a completely different book, and I am glad he wrote this one first! His goal is to introduce BT and encourage pastors to take it seriously in the life of the church. He also seeks to defend ST from the various attacks of the postmodern-evangelical-emergent world, and he does a fine job at that. As it is, this book should be considered a significant contribution to summarizing the project of Biblical Theology. I cannot think of another book that combines all these aspects (biblical theology, systematic theology, preaching, ministry, church, etc.) into one volume in the concise way Lawrence does.

For some time, I have wanted to require my students to purchase a basic biblical theology--like Goldsworthy's "According to Plan"--that was very specific about how to apply all of this in the daily life and ministry of the the local church. This book does everything that I envisioned and more. Outstanding.

This is a down to earth book on the basis for Biblical Theology and Systematic Theology and how to use in the church congreagtion. Easy and interesting to read. Good refresher for Pastors and other trained leadership in a local church. A highlight from the book is when the author states that when people read the Bible Story they are doing Biblical theology and the process of how they sum up passages, doctrine and apply them in their life is sytematic theology. He furthers states that even if we do not recognize that is what we are doing;we still do it.
This is a must read for Pastors.

Michael Lawrence has written both a fine introduction to biblical theology and also an apologetic for its centrality in the ministry. The work is readable, has helpful reviews throughout, and an annotated bibliography, but will the evangelical church listen?
The first section defines biblical and systematic theology and explains how to do them. "Biblical theology is the attempt to tell the whole story of the Bible as Christian Scripture. It is a story, therefore, that has an authoritative and normative claim on our lives, because it's the story of God's glory in salvation through judgment" (89). "Systematic theology is the attempt to summarize in an orderly and comprehensive manner what the whole Bible has to say about any given topic" (89). Lawrence thus rightly criticizes those who pit biblical theology against systematic theology, often limiting the former to descriptive statements and characterizing the latter as imposing a philosophical system on the biblical text.
The second section demonstrates the utility and complementary nature of biblical and systematic theology. It expounds five major biblical themes (creation, fall, love, sacrifice and promise) from the perspective of both disciplines. For someone wanting to teach or preach on one of these themes this section is pure gold.
The third section shows how Lawrence's approach would influence our preaching and teaching of specific issues in the church. He develops briefly case studies in four different areas: counseling, missions, care for the poor, and church/state relations.
Why should we care? Lawrence contends, "the most practical thing we can do, the most important tool we need in ministry, is biblical theology" (15). This theologian turned pastor readily agrees but many will not. The challenge to accepting his thesis lies at the heart of a weakness in evangelicalism.
Historically evangelicalism has been a populist renewal movement within the church with successes in promoting personal spirituality, evangelism and missions that have resulted in a significant impact on cultures that were broadly Protestant. With the exception of the reformed traditions (Lawrence is strongly reformed, at times too much so even for me), evangelicalism has not been a markedly theological movement.
As contemporary American culture has largely abandoned its Christian moorings, it has become increasingly deaf to evangelicalism presentation of the gospel. Because it does not value serious theological thought, evangelicalism's populist strain tempts it to water down the gospel and leaves it open to conformity to a rapidly dechristianized culture.
Should churches when they gather concentrate on entertainment or on preaching the Word? Lawrence answers, "I suppose it depends on whether they want a ministry designed to amuse the dying or a ministry aimed at raising the dead" (124). If we believe that God's Word will not return to him void, the answer should be obvious.

Biblical Theology by Michael Lawrence is a helpful resource in learning how to apply the discipline of Biblical Theology to the office of Pastor. I am extremely grateful for this offering and can't wait to share it with fellow ministers. This is a great gift to the local church and all who labor to see her grow in maturity and faithfulness to her King, Savior, and God!

Michael Lawrence offers a great book on the connection between ministry and theology. His premise is that "our theology determines the shape and character our ministry." Our ministry gives a better reflection of our theology than our words sometimes do. He goes into detail to show that our understanding of the Bible has a direct influence on how we minister. The first five chapters offer a great refresher or introduction of some of the basic tools needed to accurately think and speak about God as we encounter at the story of the Bible. The last few chapters deal with the themes that are woven throughout God's salvation story. Lawrence does a great job in this book at introducing his premise and offering a helpful foundation of Biblical theology. This book is by no means the end of the conversation but it will get you headed in the right direction. I highly recommend this book.

I am a book reviewer for Crossway Books