Developments in My Field of Study — Biblical Studies & Theology Are Talking Again!

When in seminary I liked to describe the difference between biblical studies and theological studies in this tongue-in-cheek way:

Biblical studies is about studying what the Text says and how to figure out what it says through a variety of means; theological studies is about studying what other people have said about the Text, and sometimes why they said what they said given their historical context.

Unfortunately such a distinction has often engendered unnecessary division and splits among these two important facets of the academy and the Church.

Darian Lockett, professor of New Testament at Biola University and author of Understanding Biblical Theology, is excited about marked developments in his field of study that have sought to integrate biblical studies and theology once again.

He notes that for church going people this is assumed—of course studying the Bible and theology go together! But as Lockett explains, "in the academy for the last couple of hundred years with the rise of historical criticism you couldn't take that for granted."

Which is why he is excited to see two important developments of biblical scholars over the past decade that is shifting this status quo. Watch the video below to better understand these twin developments and where biblical and theological studies are trending.

-Jeremy Bouma, Th.M. (@bouma)

Do you agree with Lockett's perspective on developments in biblical and theological studies? What's trending in this wing of scholarship that excites you?

(Can't see the video? Watch it here.)

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"Developments in My Field of Study" exposes developments and trends within various fields of biblical studies by showcasing leading evangelical voices who have a pulse on its direction. Our goal is to help students and pastors, teachers and interested Christians alike to understand where various fields are moving for the sake of gospel ministry and teaching.