Systematic Theology and Biblical Theology—Part One

Abstract

Abstract Debates about the definitions of and relationship between systematic theology and biblical theology have become commonplace. Institutional and intellectual programs have taken sides and stood over against each other. Even within the relatively small world of confessional Reformed theology, the matter has garnered a good bit of attention and controversy. Matters have only grown more complex with the rise, more recently, of theological interpretation of scripture or theological exegesis, which may or may not overlap with both systematics and biblical theology. This essay seeks to reflect on perhaps the most influential proposals thus far and then to suggest a way forward. To that end, proposals by Geerhardus Vos, John Murray, and Richard Gaffin will be examined at length. In each case, their argument will be traced patiently, with observations and questions raised in a preliminary manner. Deeper analysis and a counterproposal will appear in a second essay.