Defining Biblical Theology

How would you define Biblical Theology? This is a sticky question with many answers that diverge quickly from each other. Sam Bierig and Mitchell Chase establish a helpful definition and argue for a maximal approach. Biblical Theology happens when we are attentively reading and understanding a biblical passage in light of the progressive revelation, trajectory, and canonical context of Scripture. Engaging in the the geist of Biblical Theology is to consider the various levels of meaning of the Scripture.

In this episode Mitchell Chase and Sam Bierig discuss Dr. Chase’s definition of Biblical Theology, the history of Biblical Theology, and work through a Venn Diagram encompassing Biblical Theology, exegesis, the canonical approach and theological interpretation of Scripture.

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Mitchell L. Chase serves as an Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at The Southern Baptist Seminary and serves as the Preaching Pastor at Kosmosdale Baptist Church, where he has been since 2012. His publications include Short of Glory: A Biblical and Theological Exploration of the Fall, Resurrection Hope and the Death of Death, and 40 Questions About Typology and Allegory.

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.