A Screed on the Relationship Between the Biblical Exegete and Theologian

When people say that theology isn’t really biblical studies, they fail to understand what theology is doing. Good theology is engaging with the inner theo-logic of the text of Holy Scripture and its reality in Jesus Christ. It’s engaging with the underlying notions that allow the Scripture writers to write and assert what they do about God. It’s identifying the theological ontological ground that sees Scripture in its taxis or order vis a vis as an instrument of the living and triune God. Good theologians are engaging with the Holy, as such, they unswervingly trust that God is a good communicator precisely because God became human in Jesus Christ. The theologian understands that the Bible is living and active because its reality in Jesus Christ is such. The theologian, like Jesus, understands Scripture is all about Him; every jot and tittle. So, when someone says that they are into biblical studies, and yet only engage with the surface presented by the grammar, syntax, literary designs, history, so on and so forth, they have actually failed to engage with the Scriptures more accurately. Biblical studies folks, because of the suppositions typically funding their respective discipline, aren’t ever making contact with the substantial reality of Holy Scripture; they aren’t touching the Holy, only the profane. Good theologians are really the best of biblical exegetes. But of course many theologians aren’t good. Many theologians get caught in the same web that their counterparts in biblical studies do; they get reduced to the content of their own fanciful imaginations and speculations, never touching down in the reality of the Text. These are bad theologians. The theologian doesn’t want to be an Apollos, they want to be a Priscilla and Aquila, who understands the reality of Scripture more accurately. An actual biblical studies person, who is a Christian, would never attempt to enter the holiness of Scripture without being in constant prayer and confession of their sins; they would never think they could read the Bible critically without the reality of Scripture first reading them critically. This necessarily entails that a good biblical studies person is ultimately a good theologian who is grounded in the confession that Jesus is Lord. It is from this holy ground that the Christian can more accurately engage with Scripture. Don’t be an Apollos, be a Priscilla and Aquila.

2 thoughts on “A Screed on the Relationship Between the Biblical Exegete and Theologian

  1. “Good theology is engaging with the inner theo-logic of the text of Holy Scripture and its reality in Jesus Christ.” Amen!… and emet.

    My own experience in reading the Bible critically has become an experience of actual conversation that is allowed by the Divine Author to be understood circumspect within the humility of (now) many years of experiencing the power of sin, many failures, and (also even now)… the love of God in Christ that surpasses all given understanding. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

    (And yes, I do indeed follow his exhortation [proclaimed through Paul] to “study” so as to “make every effort to present [my]self approved to God, a worker having no need to be ashamed, guiding the word of truth along [his] straight path.”

  2. Amen, Richard! And this is exactly what being a Christian theologian is really all about; i.e., being in conversation with the living God as we encounter Him afresh anew in His Son, the living Word, as attested to in Holy Scripture. It truly is a dialogical relationship, and one that has been eternally established by God to be with and for us in Jesus Christ. That is a profound well that can never be fully drained; an eternal wellspring gushing up with life eternal.

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