Further Study

Review Questions

These questions are designed to help you review important material covered in the lecture.

1. Explain what is meant by historical analysis.
2. What does the Bible teach about the acts of God in history?
3. How do the theological reflection tendencies of factual historical analysis and theological historical analysis go hand in hand and how are their main concerns different?
4. What cultural changes took place in the 17th century that led to the formal discipline of biblical theology?
5. In what way does critical biblical theology use the Scriptures for contemporary theology?
6. Why have modern Christians come to approach the Scriptures through biblical theology?
7. How do evangelical biblical theologians understand the relationship between history and revelation?
8. Define and describe act revelation. Defend it using the scriptures.
9. Define and describe word revelation. Why is word revelation essential?
10. In what ways are act and word revelation associated with each other in biblical theology?
11. Why do we speak of biblical history as the process by which God will be ultimaely glorified by extending his kingdom to the ends of the earth?
12. How are the different stages of history connected to each other and why does biblical theology stress the organic nature of history in Scripture?

Application Questions

Application questions are appropriate for written assignments or as topics for group discussions. For written assignments, it is recommended that answers not exceed one page in length.

1. How can understanding biblical theology help us write a sermon or teach a Bible study?
2. What type of analysis (historical, literary, or thematic) do you do most often?
3. How can your study of Scripture improve if you develop abilities in other types of analysis?
4. This lesson argues that Scripture does not just report God’s acts in history but gives theological significance to those acts. To what extent can we give theological significance to events that happen in everyday lives?
5. What challenges to the reliability of biblical history do you face in your own ministry? How can you respond to those challenges?
6. How can understanding the difference between act and word revelation help us interpret the Bible better?
7. How should the ultimate goal of “bringing God immeasurable glory” by “establishing God’s kingdom on earth” affect the way we live our lives and do ministry?
8. How can we learn from the low points and high points of biblical history?
9. How can understanding the organic growth of revelation help us in applying the Bible to our own ministries?
10. What is the most significant insight you have learned from this study?

Discussion Video

Additional information concerning the lesson topic is provided in a video presentation of a question and answer session. If you are struggling to understand any portion of the lesson or if you would simply like to deepen your understanding of the subject, this video will be helpful.