The Witness of Jesus, Paul and John: An Exploration in Biblical Theology [Hardcover]

Larry R. Helyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2008

In this practical textbook Larry Helyer introduces you to the goals and practice of biblical theology and the problem of the unity of the Bible. He then explains two evangelical approaches to biblical theology--dispensational and covenant theology. In the heart of the book Helyer turns to three major witnesses of the New Testament: Jesus, Paul and John. In these three witnesses he finds the climax of the biblical message and the key to unlocking the message of the Bible. Here is a book that introduces students to the big questions in evangelical biblical theology and then takes them into the heart of the New Testament. Students will gain an appreciation for biblical and New Testament theology, and how the New Testament unlocks the central message of Scripture. This clearly written survey will equip students for a lifetime of studying Scripture.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this excellent volume, Larry Helyer provides a clear and compelling description of the heart of the message of the New Testament. Larry does an outstanding job of synthesizing and interpreting the testimony of Jesus, Paul and John in a way that is understandable and helpful to readers. The volume is well rooted in good scholarship, shows appropriate sensitivity to the first-century historical context and reflects careful exegetical analysis of the important texts. This book should be given top consideration for any course on New Testament theology." (Clinton E. Arnold, professor and chairman, Department of New Testament, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University )

"A delightfully useful textbook! Helyer read my mind, covering the topics that I want a New Testament theology textbook to discuss. In an engaging style, Helyer introduces, for example, the kingdom of God, balancing just the right amount of history, like Schweitzer and Dodd, with solid exegesis. Today's student hears about love from both Leon Morris and Harry Potter. Written from an unapologetically evangelical viewpoint, students are introduced to both covenantal and dispensational approaches in a fair, balanced manner, providing a textbook for both traditions." (E. Randolph Richards, dean, School of Ministry, Palm Beach Atlantic University )

"Few scholars would take on the task that Dr. Larry Helyer has chosen in this formidable textbook: to locate the center of biblical theology and find its unifying themes in the chief witnesses in the New Testament. Following a 120-page review of the problems and proposals traditionally associated with the task, Helyer studies Jesus, Paul and John to locate a common theological thread--which he does with care and discernment. He claims that the New Testament does indeed have a unifying motif and he defends this successfully. This is an enormously helpful book that will give needed guidance to evangelical students for many years to come." (Gary M. Burge, professor of New Testament, Wheaton College & Graduate School )

"In this midlevel biblical theology, Helyer displays the fruit of a quarter-century of study and college teaching. The distilled wisdom found here is enormous. Helyer interacts extensively with biblical scholarship of recent generations. But he doesn't neglect the light shed on his subject by patristic and Reformation figures. He explains the differing hermeneutics informing Reformed and dispensational systems. Most of all he unpacks Scripture's message in a rich and orderly way. Undergraduates hearing Helyer teach this material were privileged. Now a much wider audience can profit from this work of unusual clarity, integrity, breadth and energy." (Robert W. Yarbrough, associate professor of New Testament and New Testament department chair, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School )

Review

"In this midlevel biblical theology, Helyer displays the fruit of a quarter-century of study and college teaching. The distilled wisdom found here is enormous. Helyer interacts extensively with biblical scholarship of recent generations. But he doesn't neglect the light shed on his subject by patristic and Reformation figures. He explains the differing hermeneutics informing Reformed and dispensational systems. Most of all he unpacks Scripture's message in a rich and orderly way. Undergraduates hearing Helyer teach this material were privileged. Now a much wider audience can profit from this work of unusual clarity, integrity, breadth and energy."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (September 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830828885
• ISBN-13: 978-0830828883
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #646,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book on a Biblical Theology of the NT, August 6, 2009

By 

R. Hayton "Bob the book-nut" (St. Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Witness of Jesus, Paul and John: An Exploration in Biblical Theology (Hardcover)

When I received "The Witness of Jesus, Paul and John: An Exploration in Biblical Theology" by Larry Helyer, I noticed the book looked like a college or seminary text book. After reading it, I feel like I have earned some college credits!

The book is eminently suited for a text book, because it is really a course on a Biblical Theology of the New Testament. Helyer opens the book with a question that looms large in New Testament studies today: Is the New Testament unified in its message? It is common for liberal or modern NT scholars to claim Paul's theology is opposed to Christ's, and John's concerns were opposed to Matthew's. In response to this problem, Larry Helyer sets out to trace the theology of Jesus, Paul and John as found in the New Testament. Then he compares each of their emphases and puts the question to rest, in my opinion. There are different emphases but the basic message of these three primary movers in the NT remains largely the same.

Along the way, Helyer explains exactly what Biblical Theology (BT) is, and he describes the problem of the overall unity of the Bible by tracing a history of theology from the time of the Apostles to today. He then moves on to discuss the two basic evangelical systems of BT, Covenant Theology (CT) and Dispensationalism. His chapter defining BT helpfully discusses how the canon shapes our BT, and provides a helpful method for doing BT. His historical sketch of how the Christian church has dealt with the unity of the Bible opened my eyes to some of the big players in Biblical scholarship of the last couple hundred years. He explained the influence of Bultman, Von Rad, Robinson and others, with particular stress on the development of BT. In his discussion of CT and dispensationalism, I was helped by his comparison of the growth and development within CT with the rise of progressive dispensationalism. He doesn't come and spell out his overall conviction in the matter, but takes care to follow the clear theological teaching of Scripture. From what I can tell he ends up more in line with the progressive dispensational or revised CT perspective.

The bulk of the book is his examination of the theology of Jesus (as seen in the Synoptic Gospels), Paul and John. This examination is strengthened by Helyer's familiarity with 2nd temple Judaism and the similarities and differences such Jewish thought has with the New Testament. Helyer also explains the theological development of various key terms as he goes along. He is abreast of the points of controversy, and he navigates them with care.

In his section on the Gospels, I found his discussion of the Kingdom extremely helpful, especially with regard to working out how the Testaments are unified. He compares the different phrases "kingdom of God", "kingdom of Heaven", etc. and convincingly demonstrates they are synonymous. The kingdom is explained in terms of inaugurated eschatology, and Jesus' use of the kingdom is shown as both similar and different from the Judaism of his day.

Helyer's discussion of Paul begins by explaining that we only have insights into Pauline theology extracted from his overall thought. Paul's letters are occasional documents, addressed to a specific church in a specific situation. After discussing the question of a center of Pauline theology, he handles the matter of justification and the new Pauline perspective quite well. He is careful to appreciate the new insights into Pauline thought, yet with his familiarity with 2nd temple Judaism he explains why he thinks the NPP goes to far in overturning Reformation thought. His discussion of Paul's view of the Law was masterful, even though he took just a couple short pages to survey Paul's view of the relationship of the believer and the law of Moses. He explains that while Jews are "under the law", the Christian is "not under law". The law has run its course in redemptive history. The Spirit, now, is the "moral governor of the Christian life". "For Paul, the new covenant operates under a new law, the law of Christ, the law of love, which, while embodying underlying moral principles of the old Mosaic legislation, should not be strictly identified with it." (pg. 266-268).

In detailing John's portrayal of Christ's person and work, Helyer takes pains to explain John is countering a proto-Gnostic error. There is a polemical thrust behind John's presentation of Christ. On the question of John's use of the term "Logos", Helyer explains that the term has as much of an OT and 2nd temple Judaistic background as it has roots in Greek thought. In examining John's writings, the emphasis on eschatology goes up a notch, of course. Yet an already, but not yet view of the kingdom is still inherent in John's thought. Helyer's treatment of Revelation was excellent. I especially liked his chiastic outline of the book (from pg. 353):

A. The Inaugural Vision: The Risen and Reigning Christ (ch. 1)
B. Messages to the Seven Churches: The Church Militant (chs. 2-3): What is the
present prospect and promise for the church?
C. Vision of the Throne Room (chs. 4-5): Who is in charge?
D. Visions of the War for the Throne (chs. 6-16): The Wrath of the Lamb
1. Seven Seals
2. Seven Trumpets
3. Seven Bowls
C'. Vision of Babylon the Great (chs. 17-18): Who will lose charge?
B'. Vision of the King and His Kingdom: The Church Triumphant (chs. 19-21):
What is the future prospect and fulfillment for the church?
A'. The Final Vision: The Returning and Rewarding Christ (ch. 22)

His discussion of Rev. 20, also almost pushed me back into historic premillennialism. His exegetical treatment was clear and forceful. It forces me to go back and study that passage again in more depth.

At the end of the book, Helyer ties up the various strands of theology that Jesus (the Synoptics), John and Paul have been developing. Within the overarching and unifying theme of the Kingdom, Helyer finds a great degree of unity in this NT witness. Helyer is right to conclude by the end of his book that "enough... has been said to counteract the lopsided insistence that diversity and contradiction drown out any meaningful sense of unity and harmony."

After sitting through Helyer's "class", I have a greater understanding of NT theology, and biblical theology in general. If you pick up the book, you will be glad you entered his course as well.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by InterVarsity Press for review. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

5.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly yet approachable, September 2, 2011

By 

Franklin L. Blosser "lynnard02" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Witness of Jesus, Paul and John: An Exploration in Biblical Theology (Hardcover)

Professor Helyer has done a remarkable work here. Written for the seminary classroom, "The Witness of Jesus, Paul and John - an Exploration in Biblical Theology" sets and keeps a pace and uses language which even an interested layman can understand and follow. The subject considers several Christian mainline evangelical positions and perspectives with balance and grace; diverse philosophical currents, historical and current, are laid out for their uniqueness - and those holding onto each are then called by Helyer into dynamic action to seize what is common among them, and work at having a sum be greater than their parts.