Those who know me know that Biblical Theology is by far my favorite theological science. Here is a list of what I consider to be the 20 best biblical theological works available:
- Geerhardus Vos Biblical Theology
- Geerhardus Vos The Pauline Eschatology
- Geerhardus Vos The Teaching of the Epistle to the Hebrews
- Geerhardus Vos The Eschatology of the Old Testament
- Jonathan Edwards A History of the Work of Redemption
- T. Desmond Alexander From Eden to the New Jerusalem
- John Fesko Last Things First
- O. Palmer Robertson The Israel of God
- O. Palmer Robertson The Christ of the Covenants
- O. Palmer Robertson God’s People in the Wilderness
- G. K. Beale The Temple and the Church’s Mission
- Theophilus Herter The Abrahamic Covenant in the Gospels
- William J. Dumbrell Covenant and Creation
- O. Palmer Robertson Christ of the Prophets
- Ray Ortland Jr. God’s Unfaithful Wife
- T. Desmond Alexander From Paradise to Promised Land
- Michael Horton Covenant and Eschatology
- Meredith G. Kline Kingdom Prologue
- Dennis Johnson Him We Proclaim
- Edmund Clowney Preaching Christ in All the Scriptures
I’ve been looking all over for a copy of Dumbrell’s Covenant and Creation, but it appears to be out of print (or you can buy it used off Amazon for $40-60! yikes!). Have you found any places that sells it for an actually reasonable price?
So I guess you are soemthing of a Vos fan?
LOL.
Danny,
I noticed that as well. I suppose someone will reprint it again soon. It is a very helpful book. I also appreciated Dumbrell’s work The End from the Beginning. It is available at a better price!
Matt,
Vos is ok, I guess. LOL
I don’t think Michael Horton Covenant and Eschatology is Biblical Theology. Matter of fact I’d say that only 50% of these even fit into Biblical Theology…
He does say biblical-theological. Certainly many of these books have a more immediate focus other than biblical theology, but they are each very much driven by BT and one can learn quite a bit about BT by reading them.
Covenant Theology is biblical theology, so even though Horton’s work may more properly fall into the category of systematic theology it is also a biblico-theological exercise. I would also argue that eschatology is a subset of biblical theology. It is the culmination of the progress of revelation in Christ. Finally, the two volumes on preaching teach principles of how to incorporating a robust biblical theology into your sermons. This is key for any minister of the Gospel.
yes biblical-theological. My bad!!! i miss read it as “biblical theology”
no goldsworthy here huh? i’ll have to get you reading him when you visit.
For my part these are all legitimately labeled “biblical-theological”. Horton is doing ST but it is informed by, if not actually driven by, BT.
I do agree with Michael that there should be some representation here of Graeme Goldsworthy. In my opinion, Dennis Johnson’s “Him We Proclaim” comes closest to the work of Goldsworthy. There will be differences between Goldsworthy and Vos, for instance, but Goldsworthy is especially good for making BT understandable for the layperson.
Michael, I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read from Goldsworthy.
I noticed that you left out Graeme Goldsworthy here, and then I see Michael beat me to the punch. Do you not care for his works or have you just not read them? and hey, I’m from Pittsburgh and I think Goldsworthy rocks. You don’t have to be an aussie to appreciate a good biblical theological teacher who happens to come from down under.
Though I do think it is interesting how Australia has produced so many excellent biblical-theological preachers. Maybe it’s something in the water, but I think Moore theological college and some of the other good colleges in Australia have alot to do with it.
James,
Goldworthy has produced some very helpful volumes. I do not think they are of the caliber of the other volumes I have listed above. That is always a subjective thing, but I have benefited from these works more than any of the works Goldsworthy has written. This is not to say they are not helpful. Thanks for commenting.
Nick
Here’s a christmas gift for you, Nick. I am an audio aficionado, with over 600 gig & growing of excellent reformed talks from all over the world. Here is a link to some Desi (T. Desmond) Alexander talks, free and for purchase. (All of the free listen-only files can easily be downloaded if you know the right tricks).
http://ict.union.ac.uk/handbooks.html
Christ in the OT, Exodus, and several others are free to listen to.
Also there is an audio sermon of his at this church -
http://www.fitzroy.org.uk/Groups/83725/Fitzroy_Presbyterian_Church/Worship/Sermons/Sermon_archives/Sermon_archives.aspx
Bless you my brother! This is a great Christmas gift.