Biblical Theology
Many
Christians think that all theologies are called Biblical Theology rather than
seeing it as a separate discipline like Systematic Theology, Practical
Theology. This is basically because we all want our theology to be biblical and
at the same time we do not really know there is a branch called Biblical
Theology. Although there are many definitions
of Biblical theology, it is argued that there is no perfect definition of
Biblical theology and yet it is an old issue.[1]
For
Robert C. Dentan, Biblical Theology is a theological system which is totally
based on the Bible without using human reasons or speculative philosophy.[2]
This could be a fundamental definition of the Old Testament Theology. Many
Christians will also agree with this statement because Christians generally
accept that Christian faith is totally based on the Bible. And yet, no human
can study the Bible without his own reason or presuppositions. This means that it
seems to be impossible to do biblical theology without human reason or
philosophy. On the other hand, some theologians neglect the Bible in their
theology, mainly based on other theologians, traditions and human reason. It is
essential to read the Bible in doing theology.
For
Brevard S. Childs, the entire modern history of biblical Theology was focused
on distinguishing between normative and descriptive nature of the Biblical
Theology.[3]
This means that Biblical Theology can be normative or descriptive depends on
our own definition. Philip J. Spener (1635-1706), the leader of Pietism, fought
against scholarsticism and encouraged people to read the Bible by their own skills
rather than interpreting the Bible in the light of traditions. Johann Philipp
Gabler’s lecture was considered as the first thought on distinguishing Biblical
Theology from Systematic Theology. Gabler argued that the Bible was mishandled
in the church and proposed “to distinguish sharply between biblical theology
and dogmatic theology.”[4]
Since then, many scholars followed Gabler’s idea of Biblical Theology.
Along
with the rise of rationalism, Biblical Theology became an “independent
discipline.”[5]
Biblical scholars used rational and critical skills to study the Bible
skeptically and dealt the Bible like any other human writings. It is true that
God communicated human beings through human language and we can study the Bible
like any other books. We also need to know that the Bible is God’s Word. Semler
and Ernesti made a huge shift in Biblical study because they argued that the
Bible must be studied in “a purely historical and grammatical sense.”[6]
K. Stendahl also argues that Biblical theologians are more concern about the
present meaning, descriptive nature of theology.[7]
Descriptive Biblical theology studies the Bible as a unity rather than seeing
it as separate parts putting together.[8]
Biblical
theology could be a critical study on orthodox doctrines of the church in the
light of the Bible. Biblical Theology is “that branch of biblical
interpretation which deals with the revelation of God to men in the light of
the revealing activity of God, the spiritual experiences of men to whom he
spoke, and the character of the written word.”[9]
For Hermann Schultz, Biblical Theology is “that branch of the theological
science which gives a historical presentation of revealed religion during the
period of its growth.”[10]
In other words, Biblical Theology is studying the relationship between the Old
and the New Testament. Although scholars argue that there is a central theme in
the Old Testament, there are several themes for scholars depend on their own
approaches.[11] For
Hasel, God is the beginning, the center and the end of the Old Testament.[12]
It is very clear that the Old Testament must be studied together with the New
Testament. If we study the Bible by focusing on a single idea or concept, we
will miss the whole message of the Bible.
Schneiders
argues that there is not only an urgent need for the laity and clergy to read
Scripture that is spiritually fruitful, but also an increasing need of church
leadership and theologians for a way to ground theological and moral teaching
in Scripture.[13]
This is significant statement for Asia today because there is a huge need of
biblical theologians in Asian churches because churches are challenged to meet
the needs of people. At the same time, it is also challenged to interpret the
Bible in Asian way that the Bible will be applicable in the light of the issues
that Asians are struggling.
The
question is how the Bible can be the guide for Christians in the world. Therefore,
the aim of Biblical Theology is “to develop a fully adequate hermeneutical
theory of biblical interpretation.”[14]
Biblical Theology is seeing the Word of God as it is. It is said that the Bible
was misinterpreted or distorted in history and it is still going on in
churches. Biblical Theology always reminds God’s people to come back to the
Word of God. Biblical theology is the fruit of exegesis. Biblical theology is
not a way of reading the Bible. Bible study is incomplete without doing
biblical theology.
Bibliography
Childs, Brevard S. Biblical Theology: A Proposal.
Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2002.
Dentan, Robert C. Preface
to Old Testament Theology, rev ed., New York: The Seabury Press, 1963.
Hasel, Gerhard F. Old
Testament Theology: Basic Issues in the Current Debate. Grand Rapids, MI:
William B. Eerdmans, 1995.
Lehman, Chester K. Biblical
Theology, vol. I, Old Testament. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1971.
Schneiders, Sandra M. “Biblical Interpretation – the
Soul of Theology” Australian Biblical
Review 58 (2010): 72-82.
Stendahl, K. “Biblical Theology, Contemporary,” The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible:
An Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York: Abingdon Press, 1962.
[1]
Hasel, ix.
[2]
Robert C. Dentan, Preface to Old
Testament Theology, rev ed., (New York: The Seabury Press, 1963), 16.
[3]
Brevard S. Childs, Biblical Theology: A Proposal (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress
Press, 2002), 1.
[4]
Dentan, 22.
[5]
Ibid., 19.
[6]
Ibid.
[7]
K. Stendahl, The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible: An Illustrated
Encyclopedia (New York: Abingdon Press, 1962), 421.
[8]
Ibid., 424.
[9]
Chester K. Lehman, Biblical Theology, vol. I, Old Testament (Scottdale, PA:
Herald Press, 1971), 26.
[10]
Ibid.
[11]
Hasel, 77-85. Hasel gives a survey of different themes of scholars.
[12]
Hasel, 100.
[13]
Sandra M. Schneiders, “Biblical Interpretation – the Soul of Theology” Australian Biblical Review 58 (2010):
72-82.
[14]
Ibid., 80.
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