New Biblical Theology Podcast! Putting Backgrounds Back In The Background (Part 2)

If you rely on backgrounds for Biblical interpretation, what do you do if you do not know the author or date? How much of Paul’s biography should we use to interpret Paul’s writing? Dr. Ched Spellman says, “The Bible is ontologically a theological text before it is a historical text.” In this second half of their conversation, Drs. Sam Bierig and Ched Spellman pick up where they left off to discuss the purpose of the canon of Scripture and the use of genre in interpretation.

In this episode, Ched Spellman and Sam Bierig discuss the importance of knowing the difference between text and event and how students and scholars should use Biblical backgrounds when interpreting Scripture.

Listen to other episodes on The Biblical Theology podcast.

Ched Spellman teaches courses in biblical and theological studies at Cedarville University. His research interests include theology, biblical hermeneutics, literary studies, and the discipline of biblical theology. The lion’s share of Dr. Spellman’s interest in teaching and scholarship is directed toward grappling with the textual and theological features of the biblical literature within the context of canon. He is also interested in exploring ways to connect the academic study of the Bible to the life of the churches.

Sam Bierig serves as Vice President of Undergraduate Studies, Dean of Spurgeon College, and Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Spurgeon College. Sam completed his Ph.D. in Biblical Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he wrote his dissertation on hermeneutics and the interpretation of the book of Proverbs. He has written a devotional on Jonah, a book for pastors titled No Neutral Words, and a book for student pastors titled Fulfill Your Student Ministry.