Journal: Journal of the Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies
Volume: JIRBS 05:1 (NA 2018)
Article: Methodology and Hermeneutics: The Importance and Relationship of Biblical Theology, Systematic Theology, and Typology in Covenant Theology
Author: Samuel D. Renihan

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Methodology and Hermeneutics: The Importance and Relationship of Biblical Theology, Systematic Theology, and Typology in Covenant Theology

Samuel Renihan*

* Samuel Renihan, Ph.D., is a pastor at Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in La Mirada, CA. He is the author of God without Passions: A Reader (Palmdale, CA: RBAP, 2015), God without Passions: A Primer (Palmdale, CA: RBAP, 2015), and From Shadow to Substance: The Federal Theology of the English Particular Baptists (1642–1704) (Oxford, UK: Centre for Baptist History and Heritage, 2018).

Covenant theology is not an easy subject to study. It is even more difficult to teach or write about it because covenant theology seeks to understand and explain the united purpose of God in all history past, present, and future. This is no small task.

The apostle Paul tells us that the riches of God’s wisdom, knowledge, judgments, and ways are unsearchably and inscrutably deep (Rom. 11:33). And when confronted by the thought of swimming in such a sea of infinity, or even of leading others by the hand through it, our reaction ought to be humble silence broken only by the very doxology Paul proclaimed when confronted by the same: “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (Rom. 11:36 ESV).

As students of covenant theology, therefore, we must be both humble and diligent. We must be humble enough not to pry and peer into what is not ours to know. We must be diligent in studying that which God has made known for our good and his own glory. And every tentative conclusion must be tested by that certain, sufficient, and infallible rule of faith, the Word of God. In an effort to be as faithful as possible in this purpose, a theology of the covenants must involve a discussion of methodology. A subject of such size requires appropriate preparation, methods, and tools. “Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house” (Prov. 24:27 ESV). Part of this preparation is being aware of key methodological challenges inherent to covenant

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theology. In particular, we will discuss the challenge of the relationship of biblical theology and systematic theology as it pertains to the study of covenant theology. After that, we will discuss hermeneutical foundations in typology.

Biblical Theology and Systematic Theology in Covenant Theology

In his excellent volume on theology proper, James E. Dolezal notes that “Biblical theology, with its unique focus on historical development and progres...