Why we love the Bible (and read it with the Great Tradition): Join Robert Yarbrough & Matthew Barrett for a Credo Colloquy

Welcome back to the Credo Colloquy, where leading theologians delve into the pressing issues of theology in today’s church. In this ongoing series, Credo Editor-in-Chief Matthew Barrett sits down with with Dr. Robert W. Yarbrough, exploring the vital relationship between biblical interpretation and theology. 

In their conversation, Barrett and Yarbrough discuss the essential need for Christians to be thoughtful disciples, intertwining their Bible reading with theological contemplation. They assert that the greatest biblical interpreters throughout history have also been formidable theologians, demonstrating that the practice of theology and scriptural study should be inseparable.

Yarbrough highlights how creeds and confessions can profoundly shape our understanding of Scripture. He warns against the arrogance of dismissing the wisdom of the church’s historical tradition and urges a humble approach that learns from the theological insights developed across centuries and cultures. By this Great Tradition, Christians can deepen their grasp of the Christian faith without reinventing the wheel, thereby participating in the ongoing theological journey of the church.

They also touch on the unique challenges posed by modern biblical scholarship, particularly the historical-critical method, which often excludes divine transcendence from its interpretation. Yarbrough critiques methodological atheism, reminding us of God’s providential oversight of the human authors and his divine authorial intent in the text itself, all of which is crucial to properly interpreting Scripture.

Barrett and Yarbrough conclude by affirming the value of classical Christian theology, especially as articulated in the creeds and confessions, for grounding believers in a robust, doctrinally sound faith. They encourage Christians to reclaim these doxological treasures as they seek to faithfully interpret Scripture in light of the whole counsel of God.

Robert Yarbrough is professor of New Testament at Covenant Theological Seminary. He is author of 1, 2, and 3 John in the Baker Exegetical Commentary Series, which he co-edits. Other books include The Salvation-Historical Fallacy? Reassessing the History of New Testament Theology; and The Gospel of John. With Walter Elwell he authored the widely used textbook Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey, which has been translated into numerous languages. At the popular level Dr. Yarbrough is author of The Kregel Pictorial Guide to the New Testament. Dr. Yarbrough and his wife, Bernadine, have two sons.

Matthew Barrett is the editor-in-chief of Credo Magazine and host of the Credo podcast. He is associate professor of Christian theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Director of the Center for Classical Theology. He is the author of the award-winning Simply Trinity and his new book is called, The Reformation as Renewal. He is currently writing a Systematic Theology (Baker Academic).