Synopsis
Michael Lawrence, in Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church, desires for every pastor, teacher, or Christian disciple to think biblically. He exhorts one’s theology to be both biblical in the sense that it is fully rooted in Scripture and biblical in the sense that it considers the entire metanarrative of Scripture. He acknowledges the tendency for every theologian (which includes every Christian) is to grasp onto either biblical theology or systematic theology and reject usefulness of the other. Lawrence tells his readers that “Biblical theology is how we read the Bible. Systematic Theology is how the story of the Bible is shown to be normative in our lives. To say you want one but not the other simply shows that you understand neither” (92). Michael Lawrence divides this book into three sections. In the first five chapters he gives his readers the tools for proper exegesis in light of biblical theology. In chapters six through ten, he demonstrates biblical theology at work as he takes his readers through the story of Scripture considering five different themes. In the final two chapters, he presents pastors and teachers with application and various “case studies” for preaching while using biblical theology.
In the first section Lawrence gives various tools that every Christian must use to understand the meaning of Scripture. He applies the grammatical historical method to the seven literary genres found in Scripture: narrative, parable, poetry, wisdom, prophecy, epistles, and apocalyptic. He continues by giving the teacher three “horizons” of scriptural meaning: the textual horizon, the epochal horizon, and the canonical horizon (55). In order for his readers to understand these horizons, he explains the covenantal structure of the Bible, epochal structure, and canonical structure. He continues to show how prophecy, typology, and continuity function in the Old Testament.
After giving a method and structure for biblical theology, Lawrence demonstrates biblical theology in light of five different themes. In the story of creation, he shows how God always “creates from nothing” (122), “creates by his word” (123), and “creates for His glory” (124). Ultimately, God will recreate everything when His Church will display the unhindered glory of God in the new heavens and new earth. In the story of the fall, Lawrence gives divine patterns of promise and fulfillment, and cause and effects. The causes are twofold. The fall “was instigated by Satan” and “freely chosen by [man]” (133). The effects are [banishment] from divine presence, total corruption of man’s nature, and sinful progression (133). In the story of love, God always demonstrates his love toward a rebellious people whether it is Adam and Eve in the garden, Noah and his family, the idolater Abram, the nation of Israel, or all Jews and Gentiles who would believe in Son of God. In the story of Sacrifice, Lawrence demonstrates the progression of sacrifices in the Old Testament which would point to the ultimate sacrifice, the lamb of God, who would effectually take away the sins of the world. And finally Lawrence guides his readers through the story of promise. In this story God is always seen as a promise making and promise keeping God. He made a promise with Adam and Eve, and fulfilled it through the cross. He made a promise with Abraham, and fulfilled it in the nation of Israel, and ultimately in the Church. He made a promise with David, and fulfilled it with Jesus as he stands at the right hand of God as King over the world.
In the final section, Lawrence reaches the purpose of his book. He desires for men and woman to know biblical theology so that it will impact preaching, teaching, counseling, and discipling. The relevance of systematic theology is for people who want to know how the biblical story relates to their life now. Therefore, Lawrence takes several case studies including the Levitical laws in Leviticus 11, the book of Joshua, Psalms 1-2, and Mark 1:14-15, and demonstrates how proper use of biblical theology and systematic theology builds theologically rich and applicatory sermons. He demonstrates how biblical theology gives a Christian framework for counseling, missions, caring for the poor, and church/state relations.
Reflections
Biblical Theology in the life of the Church is a treasured possession on my bookshelf. As a young Christian who has never had extensive seminary training, this book gave me many tools interpreting scripture that will aid me in teaching and personal Bible study. This book enlivened the stories of Scripture by putting them in the context of the grand narrative of God’s redeeming work throughout history. It gave theological weight to stories that I have considered merely moralistic. It helped me understand the continuity and discontinuity between the Old Testament and New Testament. It gave me reason to love both biblical theology and systematic theology. It helped me use the story of Scripture to discern practical issues in my life that are not explicitly addressed in Scripture.
Michael Lawrence has given a precious tool to anyone who desires to know and love God through the pages of Scripture. Throughout the pages of this book, I sensed his pastoral heart and his vision for practical theology. This work is not primarily academic, though you will need to put your brain into gear. It is primarily for our sanctification and joy. You must prepare your heart to fall in love with God in Christ through the story of Scripture.
