The Concept of Biblical Theology: An Old Testament Perspective
Biblical theology is contested territory: Is it legitimate to reflect theologically on such a diverse collection as the Bible, or even on one testament? Do theologians inevitably "christianize" the Hebrew bible? Does such an enterprise ride roughly over painstaking exegetical and historical work? And how can it relate to theological themes, such as creation and revelation, and to church life?In this clearest and most comprehensive analysis of biblical theology to date, James Barr, an esteemed Oid Testament scholar and for thirty years a central figure in these debates, assesses the possibility, problems, and prospects of this oft-endangered discipline. He not only sketches the origins of modern biblical theology and its major types, he addresses fairly its relation to doctinal theology, religious studies, natural theology, and proclamation. Of special concern to Barr is how Jewish theologians use the bible and how well newer efforts, since 1970---especially story theology and canonical approaches---meet the test of an authentic and much-needed appropriation of the biblical text.