Invitation to Biblical Theology: Exploring the Shape, Storyline, and Themes of Scripture

About the Book

Title: Invitation to Biblical Theology: Exploring the Shape, Storyline, and Themes of Scripture

Series: Invitation to Theological Studies Series
Authors: Ched Spellman & Jeremy Kimble
Publisher: Kregel Academic, 2020
List Price: $44.99
Binding: Hardback (amz) & digital (logos)
Pages: 528

First Sentence:

One of the goals of this book is to increase the number of people who are interested in doing biblical theology.

Last Sentence: 

We hope you accept this invitation as you serve the churches, study the Scriptures, and seek to understand what you are reading.

Endorsements:

Stephen G. Dempster: 

"A gift to the church and the academy! I feel it would make a great introduction to Biblical Theology on so many levels. It describes the differences clearly between exegesis and systematics and BT and shows the importance of BT without downplaying the others. Moreover, the plot line is excellent, and doesn’t minimize the canon at the expense of history. I like especially the idea of canon, covenants, and Christ as this seems to show both the priorities of BT and its final goal. The section on central themes fleshes out how to do BT after the study of the basics of methodology. Finally, the focus on the church and the academy is excellent because if BT isn't for the people of God it is all for nothing. This would be a wonderful book for an upper level college class on hermeneutics or a seminary class. Wonderfully written, engaging, thorough and practical." 

Kevin J. Vanhoozer: 

"It is no small thing to be asked to organize the contents of Scripture on its own terms as a coherent story. In so doing, Kimble and Spellman effectively demonstrate that the reports of biblical theology's death have been greatly exaggerated. Here is a proposal to do biblical theology in partnership with exegesis and systematic theology, with a focus on canon, covenant, and Christ, in and for both the academy and the church. I accept the invitation, as every serious reader of the Bible should."

Overview (from the back cover): 

Invitation to Biblical Theology provides a thorough overview of biblical theology that is accessible for those new to the topic but substantial enough for advanced study. Defining biblical theology as the study of the whole Bible on its own terms, Jeremy Kimble and Ched Spellman begin with a brief history of the discipline followed by a survey of contemporary approaches. They then lay out their own approach, built on the framework of the canon, the covenants, and the Christ.

Taking God's plan of redemption in Christ as the uniting theme of Scripture, Kimble and Spellman survey the grand storyline of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, showing how each division of the canon moves the overarching story forward. The following ten chapters survey central and recurring themes of Scripture including kingdom, worship, Messiah and atonement, God's glory, and mission. The authors conclude with reflections on how biblical theology can serve the church as well as the academy.

 
Table of Contents:

How You Can Get Your Hands On It:

• Preview the Preface and chapter one (http://cedarville.academia.edu/ChedSpellman)
• Order from Amazon (hardback) 
• Order it from Logos (digital edition)
• Find it in a local Christian bookstore
• Request it from your academic/public library (worldcat)
• If there is a particular section or chapter you're interested in, let me know via email. I would love to interact or help in any way that I can.