Can Historical Study Alone Sustain the Discipline of Biblical Theology?
Biblical theology as a discipline often carries the tension of being both a historical and a theological enterprise. Some have argued that its true task is to describe the religious ideas of the biblical authors within their historical context, leaving questions of theological coherence or application to other disciplines. This historical focus, championed especially since Johann Philipp Gabler in the late 18th century, has shaped much of modern scholarship.
But can historical study alone sustain biblical theology? While historical work is essential for understanding the Bible’s message in its own terms, biblical theology by nature must also address the unity of God’s revelation and its relevance for the church’s life and mission. Without that theological dimension, the discipline risks becoming an antiquarian exercise, cut off from the living voice of Scripture and the proclamation of the bigger Gospel.
1. Definition of Historical Study in Biblical Theology
Historical study in biblical theology refers to the investigation of the beliefs, contexts, and writings of the biblical authors as they were originally expressed. It focuses on:
The cultural, political, and religious background of the text.
The meaning of words and concepts in their historical setting.
The development of ideas across the biblical timeline.
This approach treats the Bible as an ancient collection of writings that must first be understood on their own historical terms before drawing theological conclusions.
2. Importance of the Historical Approach
Historical research is indispensable for biblical theology. It:
Clarifies what the original authors intended to communicate.
Guards against reading later theological systems back into earlier texts.
Honors the progressive nature of God’s revelation.
For example, understanding the covenant with Abraham in its ancient Near Eastern context illuminates its later fulfillment in Christ (Galatians 3:8, 16). Without this historical work, biblical theology risks distorting the storyline.
3. Limitations of a Purely Historical Method
If biblical theology remains purely historical, it faces several limitations:
Loss of Canonical Unity – Treating each book in isolation may obscure the overarching narrative that binds Scripture together.
Disconnection from the Church’s Faith – The Bible is not just an ancient artifact but the living Word of God for His people.
Inability to Address Doctrinal Coherence – Without synthesizing the Bible’s diverse voices, the discipline cannot speak to the theological unity of God’s plan.
This limitation has led some to say that historical study alone produces a series of “biblical theologies” rather than one biblical theology.
4. The Need for Theological Integration
Biblical theology must be more than historical description; it must also interpret the Bible as a unified whole. This involves:
Reading each part of Scripture in light of the whole canon.
Recognizing Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Connecting the Bible’s teaching to the life and mission of the church.
Without theological integration, biblical theology cannot adequately serve the proclamation of the bigger Gospel—the story of God’s kingdom from creation to new creation.
5. Relationship Between History and Theology in Scripture
The Bible itself models the integration of history and theology. Biblical authors interpret earlier acts of God in light of later revelation:
The prophets interpret the Exodus to call Israel back to covenant faithfulness.
The apostles interpret the Old Testament in light of Christ’s death and resurrection.
The book of Revelation interprets history in light of the ultimate consummation of God’s plan.
This pattern shows that historical events are never presented in Scripture as bare facts; they are always theologically interpreted.
6. Implications for the Discipline of Biblical Theology
A historical approach is necessary but not sufficient for sustaining biblical theology. The discipline must:
Maintain rigorous historical research to honor the diversity of the biblical witnesses.
Embrace theological synthesis to proclaim the unity of God’s plan.
Serve the church’s mission by making the bigger Gospel clear and compelling.
Without both dimensions, biblical theology either loses its scholarly credibility (if it ignores history) or its theological vitality (if it ignores unity and application).
Conclusion
Historical study is a vital foundation for biblical theology, but it cannot bear the weight of the discipline on its own. To sustain biblical theology, history must be joined with theology, description with proclamation, diversity with unity. The Bible’s message is not merely an artifact of the past—it is the living word that tells the one story of God’s redeeming work, fulfilled in Christ and extended to the nations.
For the sake of the bigger Gospel, biblical theology must remain both rigorously historical and deeply theological, enabling the church to proclaim with confidence that “the word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Peter 1:25).
