Blurb

In this book, Michael Lawrence, strives eagerly to answer the age-old question, "What is the Bible?" He asserts, "What we need is a better understanding of what the Bible is, one that doesn't reduce it to life's little answer book, but keeps the focus on God, where it belongs." He then labors well to demonstrate how biblical theology aides the church in understanding not only what the Bible is but how it should be used within the everyday covenantal care context of the local church. In exploring the relevance of Biblical Theology for the local church, Lawrence skillfully integrates Biblical Theology with traditional Biblical Studies and Systematic Theology.

CONTENTS

Introduction: The Text to Be Examined

SECTION ONE: THE TOOLS THAT ARE NEEDED

1. Exegetical Tools: Grammatical-Historical Method

2. Biblical Theology Tools 1: Covenant, Epochs, and Canon

3. Biblical Theology 2: Prophecy, Typology, and Continuity

4. Biblical Theology and Systematic Theology: Do We Really Need Both?

5. Systematic Theology Tools: How and Why to Think Theologically

SECTION TWO: THE STORIES TO BE TOLD

 6. The Story of Creation

7. The Story of the Fall

8. The Story of Love

9. The Story of Sacrifice

10. The Story of Promise

SECTION THREE: PUTTING IT TOGETHER FOR THE CHURCH

11. Preaching and Teaching (Case Studies)

12. Biblical Theology and the Local Church

Epilogue

For Further Reading