What Is the Difference Between Biblical Theology and Historical Theology?
Biblical theology and historical theology are two related but distinct disciplines within Christian theological study. Both are concerned with understanding God’s truth, yet they approach that task from different angles. Biblical theology focuses on the unfolding message of the Bible within its own historical and literary context, while historical theology examines how the church has understood and expressed that message throughout its history.
Understanding the difference between these disciplines helps believers engage with the whole counsel of God, appreciate the development of doctrine, and see how the Gospel unites both Scripture and church history into one coherent witness to Christ.
1. Definition and Focus of Biblical Theology
Biblical theology studies the theology of the Bible as it is presented in Scripture itself. It traces themes and teachings through the progressive revelation of God’s Word, beginning in Genesis and culminating in Christ (Luke 24:27). This approach works inductively, drawing meaning from the biblical text in its own terms rather than imposing later theological systems onto it.
The focus of biblical theology is to follow the Bible’s storyline, paying attention to its historical development, literary structure, and theological unity. For example, the theme of God dwelling with His people begins in Eden (Genesis 3:8), is seen in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8), fulfilled in Christ’s incarnation (John 1:14), and will be completed in the new creation (Revelation 21:3).
2. Definition and Focus of Historical Theology
Historical theology examines how Christians through the centuries have interpreted, understood, and applied the teachings of Scripture. It studies the development of doctrine in various periods—patristic, medieval, Reformation, modern—showing how theological ideas have been shaped by cultural contexts, debates, and controversies.
For example, historical theology explores how the early church fathers articulated the doctrine of the Trinity in response to heresies, or how the Reformers recovered the biblical teaching of justification by faith. It draws from creeds, confessions, sermons, and theological works to understand the church’s historical witness.
3. Key Difference in Scope
The most basic difference between biblical theology and historical theology is their scope.
Biblical Theology is limited to the biblical canon, interpreting God’s revelation as it unfolds in Scripture.
Historical Theology extends beyond the biblical era, covering two thousand years of church history and theological reflection.
While biblical theology is concerned with what the inspired authors wrote and meant, historical theology examines how later believers understood, preserved, and applied that teaching in their own contexts.
4. Relationship to Historical Context
Both disciplines value historical context but apply it differently.
In biblical theology, historical context means understanding a passage in light of its time, culture, and covenantal setting—how Moses’ audience would have understood the law, or how first-century Jews would have interpreted messianic prophecies.
In historical theology, historical context means understanding how church leaders and theologians addressed the challenges of their own time—whether defending Christ’s divinity at Nicaea (A.D. 325) or responding to modernism in the 19th and 20th centuries.
5. Relationship to the Gospel
Biblical theology directly traces the Gospel’s unfolding through redemptive history, showing how each part of Scripture leads to and flows from Christ’s life, death, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
Historical theology demonstrates how the church has proclaimed, defended, and clarified that same Gospel across the centuries. From Athanasius’ defense of Christ’s deity to the Reformation emphasis on salvation by grace alone, historical theology shows how the Gospel has remained the church’s foundation despite changing cultural and intellectual climates.
6. Difference in Methodology
Biblical theology moves along the storyline of Scripture, following themes chronologically and canonically. It asks questions like: “How does the promise of Abraham develop through the Bible?” or “How do the prophets’ visions find fulfillment in Christ?”
Historical theology moves through the timeline of church history, asking questions like: “How did the church come to define the Trinity?” or “How did Christians in different eras address the authority of Scripture?”
7. Complementary Nature of the Disciplines
Though distinct, biblical theology and historical theology complement one another. Biblical theology provides the foundation—what God has revealed in His Word. Historical theology shows how that revelation has been understood and lived out in different times and places.
Without biblical theology, historical theology risks drifting from the inspired text. Without historical theology, biblical theology risks ignoring the wisdom and warnings of the church’s past. Together, they enrich the believer’s grasp of the faith “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).
8. Role in Doctrinal Formation
Doctrines are formed by drawing truth from Scripture and confirming its faithful transmission through church history. Biblical theology supplies the raw material by tracing God’s revelation through the Bible. Historical theology helps discern whether our interpretations align with the historic faith of the church.
For example, the doctrine of the resurrection is rooted in the Bible’s testimony (1 Corinthians 15) and confirmed by the church’s consistent witness from the earliest creeds to today.
9. Guarding Against Error
Biblical theology guards against error by keeping interpretation anchored in the inspired text, ensuring that doctrines are drawn from the whole counsel of God. Historical theology guards against error by reminding us of past controversies, heresies, and corrections, showing how the church has tested and refined its understanding of Scripture.
The Bereans in Acts 17:11 examined the Scriptures to test Paul’s teaching—a biblical theology approach. Likewise, Paul instructed Timothy to “guard the good deposit” (2 Timothy 1:14), which reflects the concern of historical theology.
10. Implications for Christian Living and Mission
For the believer, both disciplines strengthen faith and mission. Biblical theology deepens our understanding of God’s plan and our place in His story, equipping us to proclaim the Gospel with biblical clarity. Historical theology humbles us by connecting us to the “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) and encourages perseverance in the faith that spans generations.
When applied together, they help us live and minister in the present with the wisdom of the past and the authority of God’s Word, anticipating the final fulfillment of God’s promises in Christ.
Bible Verses on the Role of Scripture and Doctrine
2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
Jude 3 – “Contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”
Acts 17:11 – “They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 – “These words… shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children.”
Psalm 119:160 – “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”
Romans 15:4 – “Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction…”
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 – “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures… he was raised on the third day.”
2 Thessalonians 2:15 – “Stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us…”
Hebrews 12:1 – “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
2 Timothy 1:14 – “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”
