Best books to Understand Bible theology better (in order)

[@YepTriedToTellYou]

I had a Pentateuch professor from Dallas Theological Seminary teach the class in an interesting way. We read the Pentateuch in order and read certain New Testament books just after each book in the following combinations: Genesis-John’s Gospel, Exodus- Acts, Leviticus-Galatians, Numbers-Romans, Deuteronomy-Revelation. It was unusual and it had a lasting impact on me to this day.

[@philtheo]

I love John Frame. He's my favorite living theologian! 😊 1. One of things I reallly like about Frame is how astute and erudite he is on philosophical theology, which is (perhaps surprisingly) exceedingly rare among modern systematic theologians (Frame was a philosophy major at Princeton University; he was a PhD candidate but ended up ABD at Yale University in philosophy). Most systematic theologians today are really historical systematic theologians rather than systematic theologians. This is fine as far as it goes since it's necessary for the church to have people who know what past theologians have taught, who are conversant at an expert level with the theological fundamentals as taught in historic creeds and confessions, and who can themselves teach and communicate it well to others. To be clear that's no knock against historical systematic theologians at all. For example, men I utterly love and respect like R.C. Sproul, J.I. Packer, Robert Letham, and Carl Trueman could be classified as such. By contrast, Frame is a bona fide creative mind and arguably a genius, of which creativity and genius are consistent with biblical orthodoxy. That is to say Frame advances the state of theology while remaining clearly within the bounds of orthodoxy. However, I think sometimes Frame is too smart for his own good and as such gets himself into more trouble than he should (e.g. he was more or less pressured to leave Westminster Seminary California by certain influential groups at the seminary, though he thankfully landed at Reformed Theological Seminary). 2. That said, I don't know of a single modern work of systematic philosophical theology in my Reformed camp. I know William Lane Craig is working on his systematic philosophical theology, but he's a Molinist, not Reformed. I think Frame comes the closest, but Frame's lodestone has never been in philosophy of religion (e.g. Alvin Plantinga, Peter van Inwagen, Rob Koons, Alexander Pruss, Joshua Rasmussen) so there's still something significant missing even in Frame. I'd love to see someone like Bill Davis, Greg Welty, and/or James Anderson who stand on the shoulders of giants like Frame write a systematic philosophical theology someday, but I have no idea if that's even likely. 3. I really like that Frame is so biblically focused. It's as if every other sentence in his systematic theology as well as his more detailed Lordship series (4 vols.) and much else he writes seems to prooftext the Bible but in the best sense possible. Cf. Frame's paper "In Defense of Something Close to Biblicism". 4. If Frame's Systematic Theology is too daunting to read, Frame published his Concise Systematic Theology only a few months ago. It was formerly called Salvation Belongs to the Lord, but it has been revised and updated and is now called Concise Systematic Theology. It's not exactly concise (like Concise Theology by J.I. Packer is truly concise), it's still several hundred pages in length, but it's significantly shorter than his Systematic Theology.

[@philtheo]

1. I think The King in His Beauty by Tom Schreiner is a solid biblical theological overview of the Bible. It's maybe an intermediate work of biblical theology. More advanced than (say) God's Big Picture by Vaughn Roberts, The God Who Is There by Don Carson, and From Eden to the New Jerusalem by Desi Alexander, but not as advanced as (say) Dominion and Dynasty by Stephen Dempster, The Temple and the Church's Mission by Greg Beale, several of the works of Graeme Goldsworthy, or even some of Schreiner's own works (e.g. New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ). Maybe somewhere on par with God's Glory in Salvation through Judgment by Jim Hamilton in terms of technical difficulty level. 2. I also really like 40 Questions about Biblical Theology by Andy Naselli, Jason DeRouchie, and Oren Martin as well as The Story Retold by Greg Beale and Benjamin Gladd. These might be great books at the beginner/intermediate level. The second has such a beautiful look and feel. The Unfolding Mystery by Ed Clowney is old, but a deserved classic. And I recently read The Surprising Genius of Jesus by Peter Williams, which is centrally about the parable of the prodigal son (which Williams dubs the story of the two sons), but it includes some wonderful biblical theology as well. Same goes for The Lord of Psalm 23 by David Gibson which was a super edifying read too. If I could only own a single work on biblical theology, I think I might opt for the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology, which is somewhat dated, but it's still a wonderful resource. 3. As many others have said, I think we live in the golden age of biblical theology. So many excellent series at all sorts of levels - beginner, intermediate, advanced. For beginners, I've read several volumes in the Crossway's Short Studies in Biblical Theology and IVP's Essential Studies in Biblical Theology. For advanced, IVP's New Studies in Biblical Theology is stellar. These are each excellent series and well worth reading; even if one disagrees, they're at least quite thought-provoking! 4. Overlapping somewhere with biblical theology is the work of the Theopolis Institute (e.g. James Jordan, Peter Leithart, Alistair Roberts). They're intelligent and thought-provoking scholars, but they seem to flirt a bit too much for my liking with some controversial ideas (e.g. FV, patriarchalism). That said, they can be quite insightful in various ways including with biblical theological themes (e.g. Echoes of Exodus: Tracing Themes of Redemption through Scripture).

[@andrewmckenzie2442]

I’ve spoken with John Frame, great guy to chat with, takes a genuine interest in you as a person. I know his shorter Systematic Theology was recently updated but have the older one - Salvation belongs to the Lord which I am planning to read this year and you also reminded me to read MacArthur’d as well.

[@zacksportsman352]

Andreas Kostenberger's Biblical Theology: A Canonical, Thematic and Ethical Approach is a very good Introduction and Overview of Biblical Theology as well.

[@shawnbrewer7]

IMO, An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith by St. John of Damascus, written in the 8th century, is the best place to start. A compliment to it is Byzantine Theology by John Meyendorff. Those two books encapsulate everything from Trinitarian theology (Capodocian theology) to baptism and the significant differences between some Latin and Greek manuscripts. However, Michael Pomazansky’s Orthodox Dogmatic Theology is ALSO a good starting place. They teach the same thing, obviously, but dive deeper into different topics as each saw fit.

[@ElonMuskrat-my8jy]

Another good recommendation is Fr. Dumitru Staniloae's six volume Orthodox Dogmatic Theology.

[@andrewclarke3044]

@@ElonMuskrat-my8jyif you want a concise version I think Fr. Michael Pomazansky Orthodox Dogmatic Theology is good too

[@andrewmorgensen326]

Great video! Good resources! For other non-reformed resources see: Mere Christianity : C.S. Lewis Classic Christianity (systematic): Thomas Oden Anything by NT. Wright (historical) Practicing the Way (basic/practical):John Mark Comer

[@bettrinatruitt1648]

The Great Controversy is amazing for understanding church history and the prophetic books of Daniel and Revelation.

[@BiblicalStudiesandReviews]

Darryl, I finished Grudem’s theology last year. I think he is actually historic premill if I’m not mistaken. Love the video! Thanks for all you do!

[@JosiahTheSiah]

You are correct, I believe 👍 unless he's changed his views since writing!

[@vusumzingceke6518]

I love how Louis Berkhof wrote his - I have it and I absolutely love it. John Frame and Wayne Grudem are great too.

[@bma]

I also like Berkhoff!

[@davidanfinrud3438]

Thank you for the listing of books like you did. I use logos. Discovered I had most of the books you talked about have not read more than a small portion in a couple of those books. It is sometimes hard to sit down and read Theology. Terms used not familar to a non Pastor. Logos makes it easy to look up the words when you have a good dictionary available to explain what is being said and the correct definitions of the words used.

[@MrBazinthenow]

What happened to me is that I did all what you are saying in this video over the years, only to find I had to undo most of it and get back to scripture.

[@drmmtatom]

Very thankful that I several of the Theological books in Logos.

[@stevew4079]

Ben Witherington wrote ‘biblical theology…convergence of the canon’ in 2019. haven’t read it yet, on the list, but thought I’d mention it

[@RuachEden]

If you did this video afresh, would you consider Tim Mackie's work based on his podcasts and The Bible app?

[@Suanlal_Zou]

Thank you. Looking forward to the Exegetical Theology recommendations.

[@bma]

Here are some starting points: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6q6YYimepKqZ68, but you might also like this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqrPf5WuiN-Vp80

[@ashleygovender4104]

Great video. Excellent information. Thank you.

[@apostlerfabian]

I have read many books by non-spirit filled theologians. They are superb on many doctrines of scripture. But, I notice they come up short on revelation and power because they are not baptized in the Holy Spirit. I notice they can never cross the spiritual Jordan and enter the promised land.

[@kassd4169]

Thank you so much, I'm looking for books to buy for theology and this is very helpful!

[@kinusganyani8694]

Unless you have already, could you recommend more non-Calvinist systematic theologies please?

[@ElonMuskrat-my8jy]

St. John Damascene's Fount of Knowledge.

[@bma]

Have you looked at Norman Geisler's Systematic Theology? FWIW, the disagreement between something like Geisler and other's recommended here is on the whole not that great. You'd benefit from these even if you disagree on some point. I find that there are two types of people who call themselves arminian. a) those who are mostly calvinistic but want to preserve the freedom of man and b) those who are pelagian, or semi-pelagian. I have no problem with the first group. The second group are more problematic. If you're not sure of the difference, I'd suggest a book (like Needham's that I recommended) who discusses Pelagianism quite well from a historical perspective. I hope that helps!

[@andrewclarke3044]

Summa Theologiae By St Thomas Aquinas Orthodox Dogmatic Theology: The Experience of God by Dimitru Staniloae Truth is a Synthesis by Mauro Gagliardi Anglician Dogmatics by Francis Hall Systematic Theology by Norman Geisler Theology for the people of God Contours of Christian theology ESV Systematic Theology Study Bible

[@jayy1231]

Thanks for the very helpful videos! I enjoy your content and really appreciate your advice on these subjects.

[@bma]

Thank you so much!

[@CCiPencil]

I like Adam harwood’s systematic

[@elikittim7971]

Very informative!

[@bma]

Glad it was helpful!

[@myselfpoker88]

the problem with all your recommendations is it's all coming from a calvinist/reformed perspective. Christianity is much bigger than one Christian tradition. It would be better if you had a broader theological recommendation than just one perspective. When studying theology one must read from all orthodox Christian traditions. God bless

[@bma]

I am reformed, that is true. But I didn’t choose these using that as the criteria. Even in the case of an Arminian ST like Geisler’s there is a lot that we would agree on and I would have no reason not to use it (I have used Geisler). I would expect these would be helpful to anyone. I hope you don’t look at all of Christianity through this one lens and judge everything by it. That would be a contradiction to your comment here.

[@bma]

See my other comment to @kinusganyani8694. :)

[@Jondoe_04]

Is John MacArthur's Biblical theology book, well, a Biblical theology book, not a systematic? Also, what about John Calvin's institutes of the Christian religion? You can literally place it in any of those categories but Biblical theology. It's also one of the most extensive works we have on an overview of these topics.

[@bma]

Good questions! Yes, despite it's name Biblical Doctrine is a systematic theology, not a biblical theology. The institutes are great, but I wouldn't call it a systematic theology - not that it isn't systematic, but it approaches theology from a different angle. It's its own thing - excellent, valuable, and helpful, but also different.

[@Jondoe_04]

@@bma thank you for your response! I thought the introduction of the Biblical theology explained the difference that's why I assumed that, but thank you for the clarification.

[@TshoksOlam]

Good list. Why do you not make the distinction between historical theology and church history?

[@bma]

The line is blurry. For example, though Needham is technical church history, there is quite a lot of theological discussion. On the other hand the Allison book is primarily historical theology but there is history in it. So choosing one or the other doesn't isolate theology from history. Even in biography, which I said is often less theological, can still be deeply theological as biographers sometimes will focus the entire biography around a theological debate. So the whole field is often hard to untangle, and I tend to think of them together.

[@TshoksOlam]

True, and helpful. I agree. In my collection, I have Needham which I like very much. I also have "Historical Theology: an introduction to the history of Christian thought" by Alister McGrath. I also have "The story of Christian theology: twenty Centuries of tradition & reform" by Roger Olson (I find him charitable when addressing Calvinistic and Lutheran things since he is Arminian). Since you are in New Zealand, I wonder if you have some church history covering your country? I found very little written on my country of South Africa, but "Zion City RSA: the story of the church in South Africa" by Kevin Roy was helpful, and I got to meet him in person so he had a lot to share. Anyways, I'd also like to find out how Kiwis made it to New Zealand from Mount Ararat😀 @@bma

[@wiseyoutube2078]

I prefer to get a stronger foundation in children's storybooks. Namely because that fiction and make-believe can help connect with my kids someday. Yet the make-believe of the Bible ... unimportant.

[@Post-Trib]

All one really needs is the Spirit of Truth to be led into all truth. If you're reading books and comments by others, then you run the risk of being lied to and deceived

[@RAdmJoe]

You mean the deeper you go the darker it gets? No wonder so many denominations and contradictions among the Christian faith.

[@Post-Trib]

@@RAdmJoe that's why Jesus gave the parable of the eye, light and darkness.

[@RAdmJoe]

@@Post-Trib certainly is the reason why Jesus was born and raised among the poorest and the poor and he even stated in the beatitudes “blessed are the poor in spirit”. Because when we are poor in spirit there are still a lot of room for us to accept the “Spirit of Truth”. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. We come to the Father except through Jesus, that’s why we’ll have eternal life in Gods heavenly Kingdom. How can we be poor in spirit?

[@Post-Trib]

@@RAdmJoe like admitting or acknowledging our poverty in spirit. It's being humble

[@RAdmJoe]

@@Post-Trib Humbleness, forgiveness and being slow to anger are the most difficult to instill in a persons character or being specially in our lives today where there are just so much false information that can go viral in a minute.

[@philiptaylor1762]

“Average people” rofl…MDiv, ThM, and PhD …nothing average there, my friend

[@auadisian]

You Dr. Burling are 'average people'?!

[@bma]

I’m nothing special…

[@haroldensle6656]

Everything you ever wanted to know about theology is in one simple book: The Science Behind the Christ. Everything else is just fluff.

[@DavidXI0IX]

If doesn’t batter how many books you read if you don’t have the Holy Spirit. That’s all you need to know anything and everything…

[@davidchilds9590]

Yes, but knowledge is good and useful in preventing the believer from being misled and blown by the 'wind', rather than the Spirit. The New Testament does not suggest that the 'know nothing' approach is commendable, even if it is equally true that we should not unduly prize 'Knowledge'.

[@bma]

Thanks for your comment! I created a video on this a while ago which you can watch here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2TIlal8oJqlobs

[@Ignis.lex.ignis.gratia]

Without the Holy Spirit what is the purpose of anything? But what do you say about good Theology with the Holy Spirit? Or rather good doctrine with the Holy Spirit. There is no relationship with God without a type of Theology. It is unbiblical to promote an idea of having the Holy Spirit without good doctrine. Acts 8:18-20. Good doctrine leads to salvation 1 Timothy 4:16. True sanctification is good Theology.

[@andrewclarke3044]

“Theology is FAITH seeks UNDERSTANDING” - St Anselm

[@thomasioslo]

Some are so filled of the spirit that they dont need the bible, at least not in Greek 🎃

[@superbrownsful]

Not even a million books could make the trinity sound monotheistic

[@remorselesscuckslayer2318]

That is laughable. The JW cult

[@stevenswitzer5154]

If you cant understand the bible bybreading the bible.... Reading another book is not going to help...