Mountains That Bind Biblical Revelation Together

Biblical Theology is almost a new study to me.  The impact of key proponents over the last year has brought it's relevance to light.  What is Biblical Theology?  

Steve Wellum says that biblical theology “contends that to read the Bible as unified Scripture is not just one interpretive option among others, but that which best corresponds to the nature of the text itself, given its divine inspiration. As such, [biblical theology], as a discipline, not only provides the basis for understanding how texts in one part of Scripture relate to all other texts, but it also serves as the basis and underpinning for all theologizing. . . . ” [1]

Tom Schreiner has summarized, biblical theology “asks what themes are central to the biblical writers in their historical context, and attempts to discern the coherence of such themes.”[2]

In a recent read, I came across another example of the tapestry of Scripture woven together in a theme.  This theme is mountains.

“If you read the Bible carefully, you will quickly note that mountains play an important role in God’s revelation. It is often the case that crucial redemptive events occur at mountains. For example, in the Old Testament, the garden of Eden is described as a mountain (Ezek. 28:13–15) and Abraham’s effort to sacrifice Isaac and God’s provision of a sacrifice occurred at a mountain (Gen. 22:1–14). The New Testament continues to exhibit this “mountain motif” as Jesus resisted Satan’s temptation on a mountain (Matt. 4:8; Luke 4:5), delivered his great sermon on a mountain (Matt. 5:1; Mark 3:13), pronounced his Great Commission from a mountain (Matt. 28:16), and later, after his death and resurrection, ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:10–12). Mountains play a significant role in God’s revelation of himself and the unfolding plan of redemption.” [3]

 

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1.  https://www.crossway.org/articles/3-ways-to-define-biblical-theology/

2. https://www.crossway.org/articles/3-ways-to-define-biblical-theology/

3. The Gospel According to Moses, Anthony T. Selvaggio, Page 28

From the series: 

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE OLD TESTAMENT

A series of studies on the lives of Old Testament characters, written for laypeople and pastors, and designed to encourage Christ-centered reading, teaching, and preaching of the Old Testament

IAIN M. DUGUID

Series Editor