Biblical Theology Course

Lesson 1 • Key Methodological Approaches

Surveys the major methods used to do biblical theology, including diachronic and synchronic approaches. Students evaluate strengths and limitations of each.

Lesson 2 • History of the Discipline

Traces the development of biblical theology from early church interpretation to modern scholarship. Contextualises current methodological debates.

Lesson 3 • The Role of the Two Testaments

Examines how the Old and New Testaments relate as a unified yet progressive revelation. Introduces the concept of canonical wholeness.

Lesson 1 • Exile, Return, and Eschatological Hope

Examines the theological meaning of exile and the prophetic vision of restoration. Establishes the forward-looking hope that the New Testament addresses.

Lesson 2 • Monarchy, Prophets, and Davidic Covenant

Traces the rise of kingship and the Davidic covenant's messianic implications. Shows how prophets interpret and apply covenant faithfulness.

Lesson 3 • Creation and the Primeval History

Examines Genesis 1–11 as the theological foundation for all that follows. Establishes themes of image, mandate, sin, and grace.

Lesson 4 • Exodus, Law, and Sinai Covenant

Explores the exodus event and Mosaic covenant as central to Israel's identity and worship. Introduces law as relational rather than merely legal.

Lesson 1 • The Gospels and the Kingdom of God

Analyses how the four Gospels present Jesus as inaugurating God's kingdom. Connects kingdom proclamation to Old Testament expectation.

Lesson 2 • The Life and Ministry of Jesus

Examines Jesus's identity, teachings, and actions as the climax of Israel's story. Highlights how he embodies covenant faithfulness.

Lesson 3 • Epistles and Theological Reflection

Surveys how Paul and other epistle writers apply the gospel story to community life. Demonstrates theological reasoning grounded in narrative.

Lesson 4 • The Cross and Resurrection

Explores the atonement and resurrection as the pivotal events of biblical theology. Connects these events to Old Testament sacrificial and new-creation themes.

Lesson 1 • Covenant as Organising Theme

Demonstrates how successive covenants structure the biblical narrative and relate to one another. Builds on covenant knowledge from earlier chapters.

Lesson 2 • People of God Across the Testaments

Traces the identity and boundaries of God's covenant people from Israel to the church. Addresses continuity and discontinuity questions.

Lesson 3 • Temple and Divine Presence

Follows the theme of God's dwelling with humanity from Eden to the new Jerusalem. Connects tabernacle, temple, incarnation, and eschatology.

Lesson 4 • Redemption and Salvation History

Examines how God's saving acts accumulate into a coherent redemptive plan. Introduces the concept of salvation history as a theological framework.

Lesson 1 • Intertextuality and Allusion

Introduces methods for detecting quotations, allusions, and echoes of earlier Scripture in later texts. Builds interpretive precision.

Lesson 2 • Understanding Biblical Typology

Defines typology and distinguishes it from allegory and prophecy. Establishes criteria for identifying legitimate types in Scripture.

Lesson 3 • New Testament Use of the Old Testament

Examines how New Testament authors cite and apply Old Testament texts. Evaluates interpretive methods used by apostolic writers.

Lesson 4 • Major Typological Patterns

Surveys the most significant types in Scripture, including persons, events, and institutions. Students trace each type to its New Testament fulfilment.

Lesson 1 • Exaltation and Cosmic Lordship

Traces the ascension and session of Christ as the enthronement of the Davidic king. Connects exaltation to mission and eschatology.

Lesson 2 • The Cross as Christological Centre

Positions the crucifixion as the interpretive key to understanding Jesus's identity and mission. Integrates atonement with Christology.

Lesson 3 • Titles and Identity of Jesus

Examines the major Christological titles in their Old Testament and Second Temple context. Reveals the depth of New Testament Christological claims.

Lesson 4 • Jesus as Fulfilment of Israel's Story

Demonstrates how Jesus recapitulates and fulfils Israel's vocation as the obedient Son. Builds on typology and intertextuality skills.

Lesson 1 • Eschatology as Canonical Category

Establishes that eschatology pervades the entire canon rather than appearing only in apocalyptic texts. Reframes eschatology as teleological narrative.

Lesson 2 • The Day of the Lord Motif

Examines the Day of the Lord as a recurring prophetic theme of divine judgment and salvation. Traces its development into New Testament eschatology.

Lesson 3 • New Creation Theology

Traces the new creation theme from Isaiah through Revelation as the goal of redemption. Connects resurrection to cosmic renewal.

Lesson 4 • Inaugurated Eschatology in the New Testament

Demonstrates how the New Testament presents the end times as already begun in Christ. Applies the already-not-yet tension to Christian life.

Lesson 1 • Building a Biblical-Theological Method

Consolidates the tools and approaches studied throughout the course into a personal interpretive method. Emphasises reproducibility and rigor.

Lesson 2 • Biblical Theology and Teaching

Equips students to design Bible studies and curricula that reflect the canon's narrative unity. Applies pedagogical principles to theological content.

Lesson 3 • Engaging Theological Controversies

Uses biblical-theological method to address disputed questions such as law and gospel, Israel and church, and continuity debates. Develops critical thinking.

Lesson 4 • Capstone: Original Biblical-Theological Study

Students select a theme or text and produce an original biblical-theological analysis applying all course methods. Demonstrates full competency.