Journal: Puritan Reformed Journal
Volume: PRJ 01:2 (Jul 2009)
Article: Theology Of The Old Testament
Author: Pieter DeVries

PRJ 1:2 (July 2009) p. 259

Theology Of The Old Testament

Pieter DeVries

Scripture is both the source and norm for all true theology, and it can therefore be designated as biblical theology. However, within the parameters of theology as a science, the designation “biblical theology” is used in a more restricted sense. It refers to the discipline which gives a theological description of the contents of the Bible. As a separate discipline within the context of theology as a science, biblical theology has acquired its own position since the end of the eighteenth century. Very soon thereafter, biblical theology was sub-divided into the theology of the Old and of the New Testament. In this essay, my focus is particularly on the theology of the Old Testament.

There are two ways to describe the contents of the Old Testament: synchronistically and diachronically. When using the synchronistic approach, the developmental history is not primary. Rather, the contents of the Old as well as the New Testament are described from the vantage point of specific themes, such as creation, the exodus, the anticipation of the Messiah, the ceremonial worship, faith, repentance, etc. When using the diachronic approach, the articulation of the contents of the Bible is guided by the historical manner in which revelation emerges; that is, one begins with the oldest portions of Scripture and from there to the more recent ones. One can also use a combined approach. In addition to this, there is also the approach whereby the contents of revelation are described in conformity to the order in which the books of the Bible appear in the canon. The canonical approach partly overlaps the diachronic approach—certainly when the witness of Scripture has precedence over the witness of history.

There are also other differences. When using the diachronic approach, Hosea will be addressed prior to Isaiah. This is not the case with the canonical approach. For many of the practitioners of the biblical sciences, biblical theology was a means to escape what they

PRJ 1:2 (July 2009) p. 260

viewed as the straightjacket of systematic theology. Since systematic theology is prejudiced in its examination of Scripture, biblical theology reads the Scriptures without dogmatic presuppositions.

Such a view of systematic theology needs to be scrutinized. No one reads the Scriptures without such presuppositions. The essential question is whether such presuppositions harmonize with the witness and contents of the Scriptures. If theology wishes to be faithful to the Scriptures, it can never be satisfied with a mere description of the contents of the Scriptures; Scripture must be reflected upon in its totality. Particularly, it must be ascertained, upon the basis of the total witnes...