Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes

Introduction to Theology Series

This begins a 5-part theology section (5th floor of the tower).

Theology = discourse about God (θεος + λογος); broadly any Christian belief/doctrine.

Preliminaries before doing theology

Pray for help/illumination from the Spirit.

Be willing to change beliefs if Bible evidence is strong.

Truth has nothing to fear; hold beliefs loosely.

Never force Bible to fit your theology (example: never alter 1 John 5:7).

Better to live with uncertainty than adopt a flawed position.

Defining Biblical Theology

Bible is not flat/one-time revelation (unlike Koran or single-lifetime texts).

Written over ~2,000 years; God progressively revealed Himself and His story.

Biblical theology studies both what Bible teaches and how teaching develops over time.

Key quote (Michael Lawrence): Bible reveals progressively; biblical theology traces developments in redemptive history.

Highlights diversity among authors (different focuses, emphases, vocabularies).

Two main ways to do it:

Study theology of one book/author.

Trace major themes across whole Bible (e.g., kingdom, covenant, sin, redemption).

Progressive Revelation Explained

God reveals more and more over time (e.g., OT shadows → NT fulfillment in Christ).

Not contradiction, but development and maturity.

Must read earlier texts in light of later revelation (final form matters).

Major Example: Kingdom of God

Begins in Eden (perfect rule).

Lost through sin.

Abrahamic promise: land, descendants, blessing.

Mosaic covenant: Israel as kingdom of priests.

Davidic covenant: eternal king.

Prophets: future restoration.

Jesus announces kingdom arrived (Mark 1:15); demonstrates it with miracles.

Cross/resurrection: victory over sin/death.

Church: partial presence now.

Future: full consummation in renewed world

Major Example: Abrahamic Covenant

Promises: land, many descendants, blessing to nations (Gen 12, 15, 17).

Initial fulfillment: Joshua conquers Canaan.

Exile disrupts; return partial.

NT: Jesus as Abraham’s seed; Gentiles blessed/grafted in (Gal 3, Rom 4).

Land promise expands to whole world (Rom 4:13).

Future: immense multitude inherits earth forever.

Purpose of Biblical Theology

Understand Bible on its own terms before systematizing.

Topical/thematic grouping stays close to biblical language and history.

Quote (Köstenberger & Goswell): Synthesize within original settings; systematic theology goes broader/conceptual.

Conclusion: Biblical theology respects development and diversity within unity.