The Bible is one of the most famous classical texts that are read by many people, especially Christians who rely on it for spiritual nourishment. However, not many people can read the Bible faithfully and be able to interpret and understand the scripture. Christians or any other person needs the proper tool or guideline to be able to read and understand the Bible faithfully. Biblical theology is one of the tools that a significant number of people rely on to read, understand, and interpret various biblical contexts and phrases. The term "biblical theology" refers to the interpretative perspective of the Bible. Specifically, it is a tool or framework that people, especially Christians used to have an in-depth understanding of the assumptions, associations, symbols, and truths that are contained in the Bible. The Bible is a book and biblical theology assist Christians to understand how various authors presented their thoughts and understanding of various contexts and concepts of the scripture. Biblical theology is not only useful to pastors but also all Christians who are determined to have a deeper understanding of the scripture.
Importance of Biblical Theology
According to Lawrence in his book focusing on biblical theology and how it affects the life of the church, the most important tool that both pastors and Christians need is biblical theology. 1 Lawrence emphasizes that pastors or church leaders need biblical theology to interpret the Bible accurately. Thus, the main importance of biblical theology is that it shapes pastors’ preaching, as well as their counseling. At the same time, biblical theology helps pastors or religious leaders in evangelizing while engaging the society at large. 2 Pastors cannot be effective in their role as theologian if they do not understand biblical theology and how to use it in the ministries. In order to understand the Bible and preach, pastors need to systematically apply various concepts of the text, which is only possible when they are good in biblical theology. Also, Lawrence argues that every pastor should be a theologian and biblical theology is the best framework or principle that helps in making better theologians, resulting in better ministers of God. 3 Therefore, biblical theology is essential in Christianity because it enhances the effectiveness of pastoral works and activities in various Christian denominations.
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Also, according to Lawrence, biblical theology is important as it assists in formulating, developing, and presenting a word-centered framework of ministry. 4 The Word of God is a powerful tool that can change lives significantly and, therefore, it should not be misinterpreted or wrongfully presented to the people or Christians. As a result, Christians, especially religious leaders, have a role in making sure that they correctly interpret and apply the Word of God, primarily through the use of knowledge of biblical theology. Unlike any other Christian, pastors and church leaders should relate biblical contexts and real-world situations or circumstances to make sure that they make senses to ordinary people who may not have in-depth knowledge in theology. 5 Bible should not be read like any other book or classical text. On the contrary, it should be read systematically to have an accurate understanding of the Word. As a result, apart from ensuring effective pastoral work or ministries, biblical theology ensured a word-centered ministry that accurately relates to the scripture.
Besides, according to James Hamilton, biblical theology is necessary because it helps in understanding the perspective of the worldview of people who authored the Bible. 6 The Bible has about sixty authors who had different perspectives. Thus, it is through biblical theology is necessary among Christians and pastors, particularly when it comes to accurate interpretations of the views of people who wrote various books in the Bible. Moreover, Lawrence argues that Christian theology is essential because it enhances uniformity and consistency in the application and interpretation of the Bible. 7 Like any other book or literature, contradictions and conflicting interpretations are likely to emerge when people are reading the Bible. Various people can have a different interpretation of the same verse of the Bible due to many reasons such as the understanding of the Bible, which may result in some conflicts or divisions in the church. Nonetheless, with enough knowledge of biblical theology, Christians can find both unity and coherence in the knowledge of God, primarily concerning various concepts contained in the Bible. Consistent interpretation of the Bible across pastors and Christians is essential to the unity and sustainability of the church.
At the same time, according to Hamilton, Biblical theology assists in defending Christianity and any other argument or the school of thought that is raised against Christianity or the knowledge of God. Anti-Christian sentiments and arguments have become common right from the Enlightenment era, and it continues in modern times as religion is gradually losing meaning or importance among some groups of people. However, with enough knowledge of biblical theology, any Christian can successfully challenge any argument or perspective that negatively targets Christians or Christianity. Biblical theology, therefore, can be used to defend the knowledge of God against anti-Christians.
Lawrence further argues that biblical theology is inevitable in Christianity because it makes the Bible a dynamic clinical text, which can remain relevant regardless of the time. 8 The Bible was written by people who lived thousands of years ago that were characterized by various situations, challenges, and opportunities, which are different from what Christians are experiencing currently. Nonetheless, with biblical theology, Christians, majorly pastors, or church leaders can relate historical events to current happenings or situations. To make the Bible relevant and helpful to Christians, its concepts and examples should reflect the culture and socio-economic issues facing the target audience or congregation. 9 Hence, biblical theology improves the relevancy of the Bible, making it one of the best reference books for many Christians across the globe. Biblical theology makes the Bible a dynamic and flexible book.
Therefore, effective and accurate interpretation of the Bible largely relied on biblical theology. Apart from written by many scholars, the Bible is based on historical narrative, and it has many themes that can best be understood by biblical theologians. 10 As a result, biblical theory, a practical framework or tool that all Christians, including pastors and church leaders, can use to interpret and understand the Bible accurately. Also, to reduce conflicts in the church, especially concerning the interpretation of various verses of the Bible, pastors and church leaders need sufficient knowledge in biblical theology. Thus, the unity and survival of the church or Christian community, people need to have a comprehensive knowledge of God and His Word, which is only possible through biblical theology. Biblical theology is essential to Christianity and the church.
How Biblical Theology Strengthens the Christians Ability to Articulate Key Doctrinal Beliefs
Doctrinal beliefs are essential in the life of every Christian because they influence their faith and religious practices significantly. Doctrinal beliefs play a role in shaping the spiritual life of Christians. 11 The doctrine of the Trinity, for instance, shapes the spiritual life of believers, especially concerning how they perceive the love of God. At the same time, Christians cannot understand the world they live in if they do not understand the key doctrinal beliefs in the Bible. As a result, biblical theology is one of the main tools that Christians need to articulate various doctrinal beliefs. An in-depth understanding of the scripture, including historical events in the Bible, is essential to the articulation of major doctrinal beliefs. Biblical theology enhances the ability of Christians to articulate key doctrinal beliefs in different ways.
First, one of the main ways in which biblical theology helps in strengthening the ability of Christians to articulate the main doctrinal beliefs is through clarifying the main purpose of the Bible. A significant number of people view the Bible as a collection of different historical stories. 12 At the same time, some people see the Bible as a guideline for advice and counsel or a universal framework for good life, especially among Christians. However, such an approach to the Bible is not useful to Christians because it does not reveal the main purposed of the Bible, which is essential in understanding the key doctrinal beliefs. Nevertheless, with the help of biblical theology, Christians can understand the major purpose of the Bible by taking a holistic view of every passage of the scripture by relating various biblical verses. Consequently, the wholesome or holistic approach of the Bible strengthens the ability of Christians to articulate key doctrinal beliefs by appreciating that every part of the scriptures is linked to God or Jesus. Biblical theology ensures that Christians do not read various sections of the Bible independently without relating them with one another.
Secondly, biblical theology enhances the ability of Christians to articulate various doctrinal beliefs by guarding and guiding the church. It is through the faithful reading of the Bible that Christians can know and understand where each doctrinal belief fits. 13 Besides, by understanding the overarching narrative through biblical theology, Christians can accurately articulate different biblical beliefs by understanding events, scenario, and characters that are present in the Bible. Importantly, biblical religion helps Christians to explore who Jesus Christ is and how teachings and actions are essential to Christianity. For instance, to understand the doctrinal belief of the role of Christians in relations to the teaching of Jesus, followers of Christ should have enough knowledge and understanding of the concepts of forgiveness and repentance. Biblical theology is also necessary for enhancing the ability of Christians to articulate various doctrinal beliefs by ensuring the church keeps the proclamation of the true gospel. 14 At the same time, biblical theology protects Christians against the false gospel that can adversely affect the articulation of doctrinal beliefs.
Biblical theology is equally essential because it enhances the understanding of Christian worldview or perspective, which is necessary to grasp the meaning of key doctrinal beliefs. Specifically, it enables Christians to understand and appreciate the biblical history that helps in exploring events that occurred many years ago and documented in the Bible. It is not until Christians understand historical events in the Bible, as well as their contexts that they can articulate doctrinal beliefs that are explained in the scripture accurately. Therefore, one of the significant ways in which biblical theology strengthens the ability of Christians to articulate doctrinal beliefs is by tracing the storyline of the Bible. To understand main the doctrinal beliefs that guide the behaviors and actions of Christians, individuals should be able to follow the unfolding stories or events that are captured in the scripture. The doctrinal belief related to the coming of Jesus Christ is a controversial issue among Christians because many people do not understand the chronology of events in the Bible. 15
Thus, historical events can best be understood through biblical theology. A significant number of Christians have misinterpreted the key doctrinal beliefs because they do not have in-depth knowledge and understanding of the history of events that are captured in the Bible. 16 Therefore, biblical theology improves the ability of Christians to articulate different doctrinal beliefs accurately. Furthermore, even though various sections of the Bible should be read interdependently, biblical theology enables Christians to appreciate and value the contribution of every author of the Bible. The Bible is comprised of different Gospel accounts that should first be understood and interpreted independently before they are connected to the wholesome approach to the understanding of the scripture. 17 Pastors or theologians can only recognize the value and contribution of every verse or section of the scripture if they rely on Biblical theology, which results in proper and relevant articulation of doctrinal beliefs.
The understanding of Jesus Christ as the son of God has elicited a contentious debate among Christians and non-Christians, as well as scholars and theologians. According to some theologians and scholars, Jesus does not exist as depicted in the New Testament. The argument has been facilitated or enhanced by various media platforms. 18 To counter the assumption and to counter the negative argument of people against various doctrinal beliefs, Christians need the knowledge of biblical theology. The history of Jesus is well captured in the Bible, and it only needs the utilization of biblical theology to acknowledge the fact that Jesus was indeed the son of God. Conflicting issues that may interfere with the understanding of doctrinal beliefs can be clarified through the use of biblical theology as a tool for interpreting the Bible.
Conclusion
Understanding and interpreting the Bible is a complex process that requires sufficient knowledge of the scripture. However, to avoid confusion and conflict in the church, pastors, religious leaders, and Christian fraternity should accurately interpret and understand the Bible. Thus, biblical theology plays a critical role in Christianity because it assists in understanding the Bible, especially concerning interpreting and articulation various sections of the scripture. Christians need to articulate various doctrinal beliefs to live a spiritual life as captured and documented in the Bible, which can be improved by biblical theology. Therefore, pastors and church leaders must recognize the importance of biblical theology in the church, as Christians largely depend on them for spiritual guidance. Biblical theology can enhance the effeteness, consistency, and unity of the church.
Bibliography
Goldsworthy, Graeme. According to plan: The unfolding revelation of God in the Bible . WORDserch, 2014.
Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology: An introduction to biblical doctrine . Zondervan Academic, 2009.
Hamilton, James M . What is Biblical Theology? A Guide to the Bible Story. W. Publishing Group, Nashville, Tennessee , 2014.
Lawrence, Michael. Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church: A Guide for Ministry . Crossway: Wheaton, Illinois, 2010.
Rendtorff, Rolff. The Canonical Hebrew Bible: A Theology of the Old Testament . Brill, 2019.
