Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 67:2 (Jun 2024)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

JETS 67:2 (June 2024) p. 361

Book Reviews

Biblical Theology: A Canonical, Thematic, and Ethical Approach. By Andreas J. Köstenberger and Gregory Goswell. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2023, 981 pp., $64.99.

Andreas J. Köstenberger served as research professor of New Testament at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary after serving faithfully for many years at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is co-founder of Biblical Foundations and theologian-in-residence at Fellowship Raleigh. Gregory Goswell is academic dean and lecturer in Old Testament at Christ College in Sydney, Australia.

Biblical Theology: A Canonical, Thematic, and Ethical Approach begins in chapter 1 by covering the nature and practice of biblical theology, the significance of the canonical forms of Scripture for biblical theology, biblical theology and ethics, and biblical theology as a moderated family conversation. A standout feature of this chapter lies in its distinctive integration of ethics within the realm of biblical theology. This chapter uniquely intertwines ethics with biblical theology, highlighting the NT’s resolute affirmation of the Ten Commandments, excluding the Sabbath (p. 59). It emphasizes that moral direction is not confined to the Pentateuch, but extends to the Wisdom Literature and the prophetic tradition’s societal consciousness (p. 59). Ethical principles permeate not only the Gospels and Letters, but also Acts, where the emphasis lies on “the ethics of witness, leadership, the mission and governing authorities, and possessions” (p. 60).

Part 1 of the book focuses on the OT. Chapter 2 deals with the OT framework and shows the differences between the Hebrew and Greek canons, concluding with alternative endings of the OT canon. Chapter 3 deals with the Law and begins the book-by-book treatment that follows a two-part structure: the themes of the book and the ethics of the book. For example, the main themes of Genesis are “land, blessing, offspring, covenant, and the universal scope of God’s salvation that aims to repair the created order” (p. 108). The authors suggest that the themes of land, blessing, and offspring appear back in Genesis 1 and 2. These themes “receive their initial sounding in the primeval history (chaps. 1–11) and fuller development in the ensuing chapters, such that the promises to the patriarchs are to be read as reaffirming the primal divine intentions for humanity” (pp. 108–9).

When it comes to the theme of covenant, the authors say that “it is best not to envisage a ‘covenant of works’ in 2:16–17, for a prohibition and a threat...