Can a Unified “All-Biblical Theology” Be Written Today?
1. Introduction
The question of whether a unified “all-biblical theology” can be written today is not new. From the earliest centuries of the church, believers have sought to articulate the message of the Bible as a whole, discerning God’s unfolding plan from Genesis to Revelation. The challenge lies in balancing unity with diversity—honoring the unique voices and contexts of individual books while recognizing that all Scripture testifies to Christ (Luke 24:27).
In recent decades, scholars have debated whether such a unified theology is even possible. The diversity of biblical authors, the complexity of historical settings, and the proliferation of academic methods make the task daunting. Yet for the believing community, biblical theology is not merely an academic exercise—it is part of the church’s calling to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom, a Gospel that reveals the reign of Christ over all creation and calls people into covenant fellowship with Him.
This article will explore the historical roots of the idea, the challenges posed by modern scholarship, and the theological reasons why the church should still pursue a unified biblical theology.
2. Historical Pursuit of a Unified Biblical Theology
The desire to understand the Bible as a coherent whole stretches back to the early church. Writers like Irenaeus defended the unity of the Old and New Testaments, arguing that the God who spoke through Moses and the prophets is the same God revealed in Jesus Christ (John 5:39). Medieval interpreters, though often employing allegory, still assumed an underlying unity.
The Reformation renewed the focus on the literal and historical meaning of Scripture, with Reformers such as Luther and Calvin grounding doctrine in the whole counsel of God. Calvin especially modeled an approach that integrated all parts of the Bible under the supreme authority of God’s Word, showing Christ as the center of both Testaments.
Key Historical Markers
Early Church Fathers – Defended unity against heresies that rejected parts of Scripture.
Medieval Period – Allegorical readings prevailed but assumed theological unity.
Reformation Era – Emphasis on Scripture alone (sola Scriptura) and Christ-centered interpretation.
3. Modern Crisis in Biblical Theology
By the 19th and early 20th centuries, the rise of the historical-critical method shifted the focus from theological unity to historical diversity. Old Testament and New Testament theologies were often treated as separate disciplines, with some scholars doubting that a unified theology was even possible.
This fragmentation was intensified by the history-of-religions school, which compared biblical faith to other ancient religions without affirming its theological uniqueness. The result was a deep divide between academic study and the life of the church, leading some to declare the death of “biblical theology” altogether.
Features of the Crisis
Separation of Old and New Testament studies.
Emphasis on diversity over unity.
Marginalization of theology in favor of historical analysis.
4. Canonical Approach and Thematic Integration
In the late 20th century, scholars such as Brevard Childs sought to recover unity by focusing on the final canonical form of Scripture. This approach recognized that the church receives the Bible as a whole, not as a collection of historical fragments.
Thematic integration has also proven fruitful. By tracing key themes—such as covenant, kingdom, divine presence, and salvation—through both Testaments, biblical theology can integrate diverse voices into a single redemptive-historical framework.
Example Themes for Integration
Covenant – God’s promises and faithfulness through time.
Kingdom – God’s reign over creation and nations.
Presence – God dwelling with His people.
Salvation – Redemption through the Messiah.
5. Theological Unity of the Bible in the Gospel
The Gospel itself provides the strongest case for a unified biblical theology. Jesus declared that “the Scriptures…bear witness about me” (John 5:39) and that “everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44).
The apostles preached Christ from the Old Testament, presenting Him as the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel (Acts 13:32–39). This unity flows from the divine authorship of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16) and the progressive unfolding of God’s redemptive plan.
Unity and the Bigger Gospel
A truly unified biblical theology will be Christ-centered, tracing creation, covenant, law, promise, prophecy, and kingdom as they converge in Him and point toward the new creation.
6. Diversity in the Biblical Witness
While the unity of the Bible is real, so is its diversity. Proverbs is not Revelation, and Paul’s letters differ from the Gospels in tone and structure.
Rather than a threat, this diversity reflects the richness of God’s wisdom (Ephesians 3:10). The different genres, voices, and contexts all contribute to a fuller picture of God’s character and work.
Ways Diversity Serves Unity
Multiple witnesses to the truth of Christ.
Varied expressions of God’s will for different contexts.
Complementary theological emphases that enrich understanding.
7. Mission of God as the Unifying Thread
The mission of God—from creation to new creation—is one continuous story. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20) assumes the unity of God’s Word, calling the church to teach “all” that Christ has commanded.
A unified biblical theology supports this mission by enabling the church to:
Proclaim the full scope of God’s redemptive work.
Avoid fragmenting the message into disconnected parts.
Equip believers to see their place in God’s story.
8. Conclusion
A unified “all-biblical theology” can be written today if it is rooted in the canon of Scripture, shaped by the church’s confession, and centered on Christ. It must honor the diversity of biblical books while interpreting them in light of God’s overarching redemptive purpose.
Such a theology is not merely a scholarly ambition but a service to the church, enabling it to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom faithfully. Until Christ returns, our understanding will remain partial (1 Corinthians 13:12), but the pursuit itself testifies to the unity of God’s Word.
