Turmoil in Greece

Greece has been in the news a bit lately—to say the least.  Economic woes there have caused ripple effects throughout the Euro Zone and in markets around the world.  Economic crisis, of course, means hardship for many, including the weak and vulnerable.  Pray that Greek leaders would act wisely and with courage and compassion.  Pray for God’s direction in the upcoming general election on June 17.  And pray for the advance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the midst of the turmoil there and beyond.  FYI, here’s a glance at the demographic and religious profile of Greece provided by Operation World, including info on how to pray for Greece.

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So what is biblical theology?

The course I'll be teaching in Greece June 6-17 is called "Biblical Theology."

That's a curious expression.  From a Christian point of view, we might respond by asking, "Okay, but what other kind of theology is there?"  Would we teach a theology that's "unbiblical"?  Hopefully not.  But biblical theology (BT) isn't just theology that draws on the Bible or is in harmony with the Bible.  It's something more precise than that.

BT is not the same as systematic theology (ST).  ST raises logical and philosophical questions (about the nature of reality, and about God and humans and sin and salvation...) and then goes to the Bible to compile overarching, timeless truths on those topics.  BT begins with and proceeds through the story of the whole Bible--Genesis to Revelation--and it seeks to uncover the plot line and progressively unfolding truths of God as they play out in the epic historical tale of Scripture.

And, from another angle, BT is not the same as Bible study.  We may launch into an up-close analysis of a Bible passage (for the purpose of teaching or preaching or personal enrichment), but such study, if it is restricted to the analysis of what our passage says and nothing more, stops short of BT.  By contrast, if in our Bible study we focus on a given text but also open the lens wider to its "inter-textual" dynamics (e.g., how a NT passage recalls OT events or texts; or how an OT passage anticipates a greater fulfillment that is yet to come), we've jumped into the waters of BT.

Case in point:  we're reading in Genesis 12 and subsequent chapters about God's covenant with Abraham; later we see how the law of God revealed to Moses at Sinai spells out the terms of a covenant; then we come to Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 36 and read a prophecy of a future "new covenant" that will involve heart surgery (so to speak); and then we come to Jesus in the upper room speaking with the disciples about "the new covenant in my blood"; and then we venture in Hebrews and find that ch. 8 quotes the new covenant promise from Jeremiah 31 and applies it to Jesus--how Jesus mediates this superior covenant between God and his people.

BT grapples with the themes and plot-lines of the Bible to tease out Scripture's continuity (e.g., a divinely initiated biblical pattern of covenant promises to bless God's people) and discontinuity (e.g., God's adjusting of some of the terms of his covenant arrangements such that the new covenant is "better" and the old is "obsolete" (Heb 8:6-7, 13)) as the whole story of the Bible unfolds.

Here's a short video clip of Ray Ortlund and Sam Storms talking about what BT is.  And here's another helpful interview, this one with T. Desmond Alexander.
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Teaching Assignment

I'll be meeting with a group of Albanian pastors and church leaders for the class on biblical theology.  This is one of several language / nationality groups that will be gathering in Athens to participate in the TLI course.

Here's a glance at Albania from the Operation World prayer guide and from Joshua Project (go to the drop-down menu at the upper right and select Albania).

Please pray for me (and the interpreter who will help me--whom I have not yet met).  Pray for vital spiritual growth for teacher, interpreter and students alike.  Thanks!!
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Joshua Project

In case you're not familiar with Joshua Project, let me recommend a visit to their site (and be prepared to spend some time perusing the data on this world's people groups and the progress of the Gospel).  Ask the Lord to show you how this information about his world should be translated into prayer, your prayers for the completion of his great mission.

See also the other "Missions Resources" posted at the GBC website.
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Teaching Trip

I'll be participating with Training Leaders International June 6-17, teaching a course on "Biblical Theology" to a group of pastors and church leaders in Athens.

To learn more about our TLI team of teachers, click here.

I'm thanking the Lord for my church family at Goshen Baptist Church--the GBC congregation has provided the funds to send me on this mission trip.

I plan to post info and photos throughout the trip.  So check back here as the days pass!

Lord willing, I'll be preaching back at Goshen on June 24, and the message from God's Word will be centered around his heart for the world and the experience I will have had on this ministry trip.

Please do PRAY for me:  for good rest and needed strength (jet-lag and all); for insight on how best to work with and through my interpreter; for discernment to target the teaching material to the right level; for sustained concentration while teaching 4 hours a day; for valuable learning by both teacher and students through this class--learning from God's Word and about how to apply his truth in practical, faithful ways; for spiritual encouragement for all involved--that we would love and honor Jesus Christ more and more.  Thanks for praying!

~Peter

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