How Did the Reformers Shape the Practice of Biblical Theology?
The Protestant Reformation of the 16th century was not only a theological revolution but also a turning point in the way the Bible was studied, preached, and applied. The Reformers insisted on the primacy of Scripture over church tradition, championing the principle of sola Scriptura—that the Bible alone is the final authority for faith and practice.
This commitment to Scripture as the living Word of God shaped the practice of biblical theology for centuries to come. The Reformers developed interpretive methods, theological priorities, and pastoral applications that recovered the unity of the biblical story, placed Christ at the center, and emphasized the covenantal framework of redemption. These contributions remain essential for proclaiming the bigger Gospel today: the message of Christ’s reign, His fulfillment of God’s promises, and the hope of new creation.
1. Commitment to Scripture as the Final Authority
One of the most significant contributions of the Reformers was their unwavering commitment to the authority of Scripture. In contrast to the medieval reliance on church tradition and ecclesiastical hierarchy, they asserted that the Bible was the sole infallible rule for faith and life.
This conviction had direct implications for biblical theology:
It encouraged the study of the entire canon, Old and New Testaments, as the unified Word of God.
It required interpreters to submit their theological conclusions to the text of Scripture, not to external authorities.
It fostered confidence that God speaks clearly and sufficiently in His Word for the life of His people.
2. Recovery of the Original Languages
The Reformers recognized that a sound understanding of Scripture required careful study of the original Hebrew and Greek texts. Figures like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and William Tyndale worked to translate the Bible into the vernacular while also emphasizing rigorous scholarship in the biblical languages.
By returning to the original sources:
They corrected errors that had crept into theology through reliance on the Latin Vulgate.
They equipped pastors to interpret the Bible with greater precision.
They reinforced the principle that theology must flow from exegesis, not the other way around.
3. Christ-Centered Interpretation of the Whole Bible
For the Reformers, the entire Bible testified to Christ and His work. They read the Old Testament in light of its fulfillment in Jesus, seeing Him as the promised seed of Abraham, the true Son of David, and the suffering Servant of Isaiah.
This Christ-centered reading of Scripture reflected the conviction that:
The covenants form a unified story culminating in the Gospel.
The promises given to Israel are fulfilled in Christ and extended to His people, the church.
The kingdom of God, announced by Jesus, is the fulfillment of the entire biblical narrative.
In this way, the Reformers preserved the unity of the Bible while honoring the diversity of its parts.
4. Emphasis on the Clarity and Accessibility of Scripture
The Reformers taught that Scripture is clear in its essential teachings, even if not every passage is equally easy to interpret. This doctrine of perspicuity was a cornerstone of their biblical theology, ensuring that the Bible could be read, understood, and applied by ordinary believers.
The result was a shift in the practice of theology:
Preaching became central to worship, with sermons grounded in careful exposition of Scripture.
Laypeople were encouraged to read and meditate on the Bible for themselves.
Theological education prioritized biblical literacy and doctrinal clarity.
5. Covenant as a Framework for Understanding the Bible
Reformation biblical theology often organized the storyline of Scripture around the covenants God made with His people. From the covenant with Abraham to the new covenant in Christ’s blood, the Reformers saw God’s promises as binding together the whole biblical narrative.
This covenantal framework:
Showed the continuity between Old and New Testaments.
Highlighted God’s faithfulness to His promises through the unfolding plan of redemption.
Connected the believer’s life today to God’s overarching mission to redeem a people for Himself.
6. Influence on Preaching and Pastoral Theology
The Reformers’ biblical theology was not merely academic; it was profoundly pastoral. They believed the task of the preacher was to proclaim the whole counsel of God in a way that nourished faith, called for repentance, and directed believers toward Christ.
Key pastoral practices shaped by Reformation biblical theology included:
Preaching through books of the Bible in sequence (lectio continua).
Using biblical theology to connect individual passages to the grand narrative of redemption.
Applying Scripture to the daily lives of believers with an emphasis on holiness, perseverance, and hope.
Conclusion
The Reformers shaped the practice of biblical theology by restoring the Bible to its rightful place as the supreme authority, recovering the original languages, centering interpretation on Christ, affirming the clarity of Scripture, and framing the biblical story through God’s covenants. These contributions preserved the unity of Scripture and ensured its relevance for the church’s life and mission.
For today’s church, their legacy is a call to proclaim the bigger Gospel—a Gospel that is rooted in the whole biblical narrative, reveals Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promises, and directs God’s people to live in light of His present reign and coming kingdom.
