Central Themes in Biblical Theology: Mapping Unity in Diversity [Paperback]

Scott Hafemann (Editor), Paul House (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 080103423X | ISBN-13: 978-0801034237 | Publication Date: May 1, 2007

A common approach to biblical theology is to examine the theology found in specific biblical books or authors, or in the individual Testaments. While this approach has value, the unity of the biblical message is sometimes missed. Since God is a unified being, we can expect his Word to have a unified message, though expressed in different ways at different times through history. This approach--a "Whole Bible Biblical Theology"--is taken in this collection of studies on seven key theological themes found in Scripture. Each essay, written by a respected evangelical scholar, seeks to discover the unified message of the whole Bible on a given topic. Here is profitable reading for pastors, teachers, and students.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Building on the gains of the historical-critical project and sensitized by its postmodern critique, scholars are now more willing to talk about the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, as a book from and for communities of believers. Against this backdrop, editors Scott Hafemann and Paul House bring together a team of scholars willing to work together on "whole Bible biblical theology." Fully aware of historical-critical matters of diversity, they nonetheless trace the Bible's unified teaching on key themes across the biblical canon. They define biblical theology as "that approach to Scripture which attempts to see biblical material holistically and to describe this wholeness or synthesis in biblical categories." Biblical theology investigates the themes presented in Scripture, seeking to demonstrate the essential unity and coherence of the Old and New Testaments across the great diversity of their contents.

Fully committed to such an understanding of biblical theology, this volume's contributors focus on selected central themes: their use and reuse by the biblical writers, their integration into the whole fabric of the Bible, and their development across the canon. These stimulating essays map significant aspects of God's self-revelation to human beings through the literary record in its historical context.

Contributors include:
Scott J. Hafemann on the covenant relationship
Thomas R. Schreiner on the commands of God
Frank S. Thielman on the atonement
Stephen G. Dempster on the servant of the Lord
Paul R. House on the day of the Lord
Elmer A. Martens on the people of God
Roy E. Ciampa on the history of redemption

About the Author

Scott J. Hafemann (DrTheol, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen) 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. Paul R. House (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is associate dean and professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School. He is author of Old Testament Theology, Old Testament Survey, The Unity of the Twelve, and commentaries on Lamentations and 1-2 Kings.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080103423X
• ISBN-13: 978-0801034237
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #245,517 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable., October 16, 2011

By 

E. J. Boston (Southern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Central Themes in Biblical Theology: Mapping Unity in Diversity (Paperback)

"The purpose of theology is doxology." -- Scott J. Hafemann

This is one of the most helpful books I have read in a long while. Precise in meaning, broadening in vision, provoking in thought. How are we to view the 66 books contained in the Bible as one continuous flow of thought from the revelatory God? Sure... redemptive history seems the most obvious answer, but isn't there more to it than that? Is that the only thing that unifies the Word of God? Hafemann and House think not--they've edited this book compiling two essays of their own with essays from other leading scholars:

Hafemann on the covenant relationship
Schreiner on the commands of God
Thielman on the atonement
Dempster on the servant of the Lord
House on the day of the Lord
Martens on the people of God
Ciampa on the history of redemption

Readers will not agree with every assertion made in the book (when is that ever not the case), but the evidence contained therein will force such a reader to substantiate their own claims. Very helpful read, and necessary for an engaging theological mind.