Biblical Theology and Typology, From Text to Sermon

An understanding of biblical theology and typology can be very helpful in coming to an understanding of the biblical text. Here are some resources.

Resources on Biblical Theology:

Covenant theology is really a form of biblical theology. O. Palmer Robertson has written a basic explanation of covenant theology entitled The Christ of the Covenants. A number of audio lectures by Robertson are available online at Monergism.org, including a series on covenant theology and a series entitled “On the Covenant.” You can find these audio lectures here.

A classic Reformed work on biblical theology is:

Geerhardus Vos. Biblical Theology (1948) (This book is available here and as a ebook here.)

Several other books by Vos are available online here. Other materials by Vos are available here.

Works by Graeme Goldsworthy can be helpful in understanding the history of redemption and where a given text fits into this history. Goldsworthy especially highlights the biblical theme of the kingdom of God. Goldsworthy has written a number of books, including the following:

The Goldsworthy Trilogy: Gospel & Kingdom, Wisdom and Revelation

Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture

Christ-Centered Biblical Theology

Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics

According to Plan

The Son of God and the New Creation

A book for laypersons that focuses on God’s kingdom in a similar way to Goldsworthy is:

Vaughn Roberts, God’s Big Picture

Here are some links to material by Goldsworthy that is online:

Goldsworthy – The Necessity of Biblical Theology (article)

Goldsworthy – Biblical Theology and Hermeneutics (article)

Goldsworthy – The Big Picture of Biblical Theology (video lecture)

Goldsworthy at Southern Seminary on Biblical Theology (three audio lectures)

Goldsworthy: Outline of Biblical History (webpage)

A course by Richard Pratt entitled, “Building Biblical Theology,” can be found at Third Mill: https://thirdmill.org/seminary/course.asp/vs/bbt.

James Hamilton has written a couple of books that may be helpful:

What Is Biblical Theology? (2013)

God’s Glory in Salvation through Judgment (2010)

Other works of biblical theology include:

Alexander, T. Desmond, et. al., eds., New Dictionary of Biblical Theology (2000) (This book can be borrowed online

here.)

Greg K. Beale A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New (2011)

Edmund Clowney, Preaching and Biblical Theology (1979) (This book can be borrowed online here.)

Edmund Clowney, The Unfolding Mystery , Second Edition (2013) (The first edition can be borrowed online here.)

A course by Edmund Clowney entitled, “Biblical Theology,” can be found here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biblical-theology/id430337487

Jeremy Kimble and Ched Spellman, Invitation to Biblical Theology: Exploring the Shape, Storyline, and Themes of the Bible (Invitation to Theological Studies) (2020)

Nick Roark and Robert Kline, Biblical Theology: How the Church Faithfully Teaches the Gospel (2018)

Thomas R. Schreiner, The King in His Beauty (2013)

Resources on Typology:

Patrick Fairbairn, The Typology of Scripture (1859)

Vern S. Poythress, Biblical Typology: How the Old Testament Points to Christ, His Church, and the Consummation (2024)

Three articles by James Hamilton that deal with typology are:

“Was Joseph a Type of the Messiah?”

“The Typology of David’s Rise to Power”

“The Virgin Will Conceive”

Another article that may be helpful is:

Aubrey Sequeira and Samuel C. Emadi, “Biblical-Theological Exegesis and the Nature of Typology”

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