Invitation to Biblical Theology: Exploring the Shape, Storyline, and Themes of the Bible

Invitation to Biblical Theology provides a thorough overview of biblical theology that is accessible for those new to the topic but substantial enough for advanced study. Defining biblical theology as the study of the whole Bible on its own terms, Jeremy Kimble and Ched Spellman begin with a brief history of the discipline followed by a survey of contemporary approaches. They then lay out their own approach, built on the framework of the canon, the covenants, and Christ.

Taking God's plan of redemption in Christ as the uniting theme of Scripture, Kimble and Spellman survey the grand storyline of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, showing how each division of the canon moves the overarching story forward. The following ten chapters survey central and recurring themes of Scripture including kingdom, worship, Messiah and atonement, God's glory, and mission. The authors conclude with reflections on how biblical theology can serve the church as well as the academy.

"It is no small thing to be asked to organize the contents of Scripture on its own terms as a coherent story. In so doing, Kimble and Spellman effectively demonstrate that the reports of biblical theology's death have been greatly exaggerated. Here is a proposal to do biblical theology in partnership with exegesis and systematic theology, with a focus on canon, covenant, and Christ, in and for both the academy and the church. I accept the invitation, as every serious reader of the Bible should."
—Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

"A gift to the church and the academy! This would be a wonderful book for an upper level college class on hermeneutics or a seminary class. Well written, engaging, thorough, and practical."
—Stephen G. Dempster, Professor of Religious Studies, Crandall University