Biblical Theology
Essential Tools In Ministry
Lawrence Builds a Bridge
In Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church, Lawrence likens the minister’s everyday theology to a workman’s belt.
By using the comparison, the author shows an array of tools comprising biblical theology that are within the minister’s reach.[1]
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The author’s metaphor pictorializes church preachers and teachers using theology tools they carry with them, like a carpenter uses his hammer, tape measure, or pencil.
These biblical theology tools are essential to church ministry.
How Lawrence Does It
Lawrence organizes the ministry toolbox into three groups. He cites Packer’s quote of Owen to highlight the grammatical-historical method used by exegetes when gleaning the original autograph writer’s intent.[2]
The author divides biblical theology tools into two parts. The first part contains the Bible’s covenants, epochs and cannon; these tools help the exegete know who God is through the LORD’s self-revelation.
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Local church ministers who do not know God cannot preach or teach His unfolding story.
In the second part of biblical theology tools, prophecy, typology, and continuity, he aims to help the local church return to apostolic preaching and teaching (i.e., the gospel in the law and prophets).[3]
Systematic theology is the third category of tools Lawrence views essential to ministry in the local church.
The author demystifies organizing the Bible’s teaching by topic, for the local minister, through his explanation of systematic theology’s basic tenets; knowledge of God, self, and the world.
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He shows how to use systematic theology’s tools to reintroduce the long-standing practice of theological thinking in the church.[4]
Lawrence emphasizes applying gospel truth reveals itself only in the church community.
The Bible’s gospel is the framework of all truth, good deeds, and personal relationship with our “Great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 ESV).[5]
What Lawrence Teaches Us
Lawrence’s explanation of ministry tools, and how to use them in everyday preaching and teaching, teaches us knowing the big-picture story includes knowing God, ourselves, and the world we live in.
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This is essential knowledge in local ministry. There is more to biblical theology than one’s interpretation of the Bible’s gospel metanarrative.
We learn biblical theology helps us get the story right, while systematic theology helps us apply that story in the church and our local ministry.
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[1] Michael Lawrence and Thomas R. Schreiner, Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church: A Guide for Ministry (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010). 184.
[2] Ibid., 46-47.
[3] Ibid., 77-78.
[4] Ibid., 110-12.
[5] Ibid., 116-17.