Biblical Theology

Anyone who has thought about how to write a biblical theology will agree that it is a daunting task. There is no one obvious methodology that can begin to do justice to the complex unity and variegated diversity of all sixty-six books of the Bible. There are a host of difficult questions about how to relate the two testaments or the various parts of each testament to each other. It is no wonder that very few biblical scholars have either the competence or the audacity to attempt such a task. Ben Witherington has plenty of both. His whole career as a teacher and writer, wide-ranging in both activities, has prepared him for it, and he relishes the work of moving back and forth between detailed exegesis and big ideas. Rather than trying to sum up how he tackles the task, let me say just that the book is full of refreshing surprises. Who would expect to find in such a book (and I give just three examples), an extended reflection on the story of Samson, a transcription of a dialogue with another scholar, or a chapter called Where the Reformation went wrong ? Highly Recommended! Richard Bauckham, St. Andrews University, Scotland Biblical Theology is a magisterial work, the sort of book that could only have been written by a first-class scholar after decades of reading and reflection, of inquiry and scholarship. In turn, it will stand for decades more as a benchmark in its field. Philip Jenkins, Baylor University Biblical Theology argues that to undertake a real biblical theology we must let each Testament speak on its own terms and keep track of the progress and newness of how God revealed his program. Examining texts in context and showing both their message and the distinctions in how themes merge, there is a compelling argument that the two Testaments do converge. This study will suggest the myriad of ways this can be seen while interacting with a host of other key OT and NT studies. This is solid resource worth careful study and reflection. Darrell L. Bock, Dallas Theological Seminary Biblical theology, an expression used by many in irresponsible and careless ways, needs to be defined: Biblical Theology does that. Biblical theology needs to be demonstrated theme after theme in passage after passage in a manner that respects the Bible's big narrative; Convergence does this, too. And biblical theology, if it is responsible to the deep traditions of the church, must square with classic Christian creeds, and this book does that too. Ben Witherington's Convergence will become a standard text for decades, not only for its content but its responsible respect for Bible and Creed. Scot McKnight, Northern Seminary In Biblical Theology, Ben Witherington shares with us the fruits of his many decades of deep reflection on the Bible's symbolic universe, its narrative thought world, and its theologizing proper. Writing a biblical theology is a daunting task to be undertaken only by those who have been engaged in the study of the Bible both on the macro and the micro level, and Witherington fits the bill having writing many important monographs and commentaries that in-form his present work. I found myself challenged, informed and enriched by his thinking and recommend this book to all who want to grow in their knowledge of Scripture. Tremper Longman III, Westmont College