Invitation to Biblical Theology provides a thorough overview of biblical theology that is accessible for those new to the topic but substantial enough for advanced study. Defining biblical theology as "the study of the whole Bible on its own terms," Jeremy Kimble and Ched Spellman begin with a brief history of the discipline followed by a survey of contemporary approaches. They then lay out their own approach, built on the framework of the canon, the covenants, and Christ. Taking God's plan of redemption in Christ as the uniting theme of Scripture, Kimble and Spellman survey the grand storyline of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, showing how each division of the canon moves the overarching story forward. The following ten chapters survey central and recurring themes of Scripture including kingdom, worship, Messiah and atonement, God's glory, and mission. The authors conclude with reflections on how biblical theology can serve the church as well as the academy.

Invitation to Biblical Theology: Exploring the Shape, Storyline, and Themes of the Bible (Invitation to Theological Studies)

Religion & Spirituality

Kimble, Jeremy

Spellman, Ched

Christian Books & Bibles

Kregel Academic

How did the Bible come to Be, and Why does it matter? This book tells the story of how the Bible came to be and makes a case for why this history matters. Beginning with the basic questions believers are often asked about the origins of the Bible, Spellman introduces strategic steps you can take to understand and explain how the biblical writings were written and then gathered together into a treasured collection of authoritative Scriptures. Examining the story of canon formation is both challenging and rewarding. The gains from this historical and theological heavy-lifting will strengthen your own grasp of the Scriptures and give you confidence to discuss canon formation with others. The book includes a discussion guide for churches and small groups as well as a series of further resources for possible research directions. These features of the book are designed for it to function well as a supplementary textbook in an academic course in biblical or theological studies.

One Holy Book: A Primer on How the Bible Came To Be & Why It Matters (Primers in Biblical and Theological Studies)

Codex Books

One Grand Story: How the Bible Tells its Story & Why it Matters (Primers in Biblical and Theological Studies)

Two distinct questions about the canon of the Bible can be raised: (1) How did the biblical canon come to be?, and (2) What effect does that canon have on its readers? The former is a historical question about the formation of the biblical canon; the latter is a hermeneutical question about the function of the biblical canon. Though these questions have often been pursued in virtual isolation from one another, Spellman argues that there are considerable gains from observing the interconnections between the two lines of inquiry. On the historical question of the origin of the canon, Spellman asks, Is the shape of this collection an accident of history or a result of intelligent design? He concludes that canon-consciousness played an important role in the formation of the canon, even impinging on the work of the biblical authors themselves. On the hermeneutical question, the communities of readers of the Bible may also be shown to have been directed by their own canon-consciousness, using it as a guide in their interpretative task. In this interdisciplinary work, Spellman marshals historical, theological and hermeneutical resources in order to paint a picture of how the concept of canon can enrich reading communities of today.

Toward a Canon-Conscious Reading of the Bible: Exploring the History and Hermeneutics of the Canon

Sheffield Phoenix Press Ltd.

Review\n"This is a magisterial discussion of how [the "canonical approach"] works and a persuasive account of why one might believe in it. It carries forward the torch lit by Brevard Childs with great learning and skill, and it must definitely be read by all who are concerned with either the historical or the hermeneutical question of the canon." -John Barton, Review of Biblical Literature\n"Spellman has provided an excellent discussion of how the Christian canon may function within the field of biblical interpretation. The structure of his book was very well thought-out. . . Distinguishing "mere contextuality" from "meant contextuality" will be an important step forward for those who are interested in the possibility of biblical contextuality." -Casey Croy, SBJT\n"Toward a Canon-Conscious Reading of the Bible is both accessible enough for the thinking layperson and nonspecialist and robust enough (through copious and detailed footnotes) for the student and scholar of canonical issues. This monograph presents a masterful interdisciplinary study that draws together scholarly insights from canon studies, historical studies, and literary studies to address both the historical issue of how the canon came to be and the hermeneutical question of what this means for readers of the canon." -Jennifer Guo, Exegetical Tools\n"Toward a Canon-Conscious Reading is a needed addition to the field of canonical studies." -Matthew Y. Emerson, Fides et Humilitas\nTwo distinct questions about the canon of the Bible can be raised: (1) How did the biblical canon come to be?, and (2) What effect does that canon have on its readers? The former is a historical question about the formation of the biblical canon; the latter is a hermeneutical question about the function of the biblical canon. Though these questions have often been pursued in virtual isolation from one another, Spellman argues that there are considerable gains from observing the interconnections between the two lines of inquiry. 
On the historical question of the origin of the canon, Spellman asks, Is the shape of this collection an accident of history or a result of intelligent design? He concludes that canon-consciousness played an important role in the formation of the canon, even impinging on the work of the biblical authors themselves. On the hermeneutical question, the communities of readers of the Bible may also be shown to have been directed by their own canon-consciousness, using it as a guide in their interpretative task. 
In this interdisciplinary work, Spellman marshals historical, theological and hermeneutical resources in order to paint a picture of how the concept of canon can enrich reading communities of today.

Toward a Canon-Conscious Reading of the Bible: Exploring the History and Hermeneutics of the Canon (Ntm)

Irenaeus

Fontes Press

One Holy Book: How the Bible Came to Be and Why It Matters

Independently published

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Books by Spellman, Ched