Biblical Theology

Old & New Testaments

Author

Geerhardus Vos

Category Theology Books

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Weight	1.32 lbs
Dimensions	8.5 × 5.6 × 1.1 in
ISBN	9781848714328
Binding	Cloth-bound, eBook (ePub & Kindle), Cloth-bound & eBook (ePub & Kindle)
Topic	Biblical Theology
Original Pub Date	1948
Banner Pub Date	Mar 1, 1975
Page Count	440
Scripture	Whole Bible
Format	Book

EndorsementsRead More ↓

‘Quite unique. A thorough study of this volume will abundantly repay the student of Scripture. We recommend it most heartily.’ — EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN

‘While Vos’s primary vocation was as a theological professor, his writings are characterized by an evident orthodoxy and devout faith which breath a spirit of reverence and adoration into all his publications and explain why they are still highly prized among readers interested in a Reformed approach to biblical theology.’ — JAMES M. GARRETSON

Book Description

In the book Biblical Theology, Geerhardus Vos’ aim is no less than to provide an account of the unfolding of the mind of God in history, through the successive agents of his special revelation. Vos handles this under three main divisions: the Mosaic epoch of revelation, the prophetic epoch of revelation, and the New Testament.

Such an historical approach is not meant to supplant the work of the systematic theologian; nevertheless, the Christian gospel is inextricably bound up with history, and the biblical theologian thus seeks to highlight the uniqueness of each biblical document in that succession. The rich variety of Scripture is discovered anew as the progressive development of biblical themes is explicated.

To read these pages – the fruit of Vos’s 39 years of teaching biblical theology at Princeton – is to appreciate the late John Murray’s suggestion that Geerhardus Vos was the most incisive exegete in the English-speaking world of the twentieth century.

Table of Contents Expand ↓

		Page
	The Old Testament
	PART ONE
	THE MOSAIC EPOCH OF REVELATION
1	INTRODUCTION: THE NATURE AND METHOD OF BIBLICAL THEOLOGY	3
	Division of Theology into four great departments – definition of Biblical Theology – the various things successively designated by the name of Biblical Theology – guiding principles – objections to the name ‘Biblical Theology’ – the relation of Biblical Theology to other disciplines – the method of Biblical Theology – practical uses of the study of Biblical Theology
2	THE MAPPING OUT OF THE FIELD OF REDEMPTION	19
	Pre-redemptive and Redemptive Special Revelation – the division of Redemptive Special Revelation – ‘Diatheke’
3	THE CONTENT OF PRE-REDEMPTIVE SPECIAL REVELATION	27
	Four principles: life, probation, temptation, death – mortality and immortality
4	THE CONTENT OF THE FIRST REDEMPTIVE SPECIAL REVELATION	41
	The three curses – ‘seed’ – human suffering
5	THE NOACHIAN REVELATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT LEADING UP TO IT	45
	Cainites and Sethites – Revelation after the Flood
6	THE PERIOD BETWEEN NOAH AND THE GREAT PATRIARCHS	56
	The prophetic deliverances of Noah – the table of the nations – the division of tongues – the election of the Shemites to furnish the bearers of redemption and revelation
7	REVELATION IN THE PATRIARCHAL PERIOD	66
	Critical views – the historicity of the patriarchs – theophanies – the Angel of Jehovah – the Patriarch Abraham – the principle of election – the objectivity of the gifts bestowed – the promises fulfilled supernaturally – the divine name ‘El-Shaddai’ – faith as found in patriarchal religion – ethical elements – the Patriarch Isaac – the Patriarch Jacob – election – the Bethel dream-vision – the wrestling at Peniel
8	REVELATION IN THE PERIOD OF MOSES	100
	[A] The Place of Moses in the Organism of Old Testament Revelation	100
	The prominence of Moses
	[B] The Form of Revelation in the Mosaic Period	105
	The pillar of cloud and fire – the Angel of Jehovah – the name and the face of Jehovah
	[C] The Content of the Mosaic Revelation	109
	[1] The factual basis. Deliverance from foreign bondage – deliverance from sin – a display of divine omnipotence – a demonstration of sovereign grace – the name ‘Jehovah’ – the Passover	109
	[2] The Berith made between Jehovah and Israel	121
	[3] The organization of Israel: the theocracy. The function of law	124
	[4] The Decalogue. Of world-wide application – religious in character – the Ten Words – the First Word – the Second Word – the Third Word – the Fourth Word	129
	[5] The Ritual (ceremonial) Law. Symbol and Type – the Tabernacle – the majesty and holiness of God – the place of worship – Christ is the anti-typical Tabernacle – the sacrificial system of the law – offerings, gifts, sacrifices – the relation between the offerer and his sacrifice – the stages of the sacrificial ritual – vicariousness defined – the meaning of ‘covering’ – the variety of offerings – uncleanness and purification – totemism – ancestor-worship – the animistic theory	143
	PART TWO
	THE PROPHETIC EPOCH OF REVELATION
1	THE PLACE OF PROPHETISM IN OLD TESTAMENT REVELATION	185
	A kingdom-producing movement – the word as the instrument of prophetism – a factor of continuity – two main periods of prophetism
2	THE CONCEPTION OF A PROPHET: NAMES AND ETYMOLOGIES	191
	The Hebrew term nabhi – the Greek term prophetes – the terms ro’eh and chozeh
3	THE HISTORY OF PROPHETISM: CRITICAL THEORIES	198
	The History of prophetism – the origin of ‘nabhi’-ism’ in Israel, arguments and counter-arguments – did the later prophets create ethical monotheism?
4	THE MODE OF RECEPTION OF THE PROPHETIC REVELATION	212
	The views of Kuenen explained – ‘kernel-revelation’ – the ‘divination’ theory – revelation through speech and hearing – revelation through showing and seeing – revelation through rapture – bodily effects – the intra-mental state – extreme critical views answered
5	THE MODE OF COMMUNICATION OF THE PROPHECY	230
	Speech – miracles
6	THE CONTENT OF THE PROPHETIC REVELATION	234
	[A] The Nature and Attributes of Jehovah	234
	Monotheism – the nature and attributes of Jehovah – omnipotence – ‘Jehovah of hosts’ – Jehovah’s relation to time and space – omniscience – holiness – righteousness – emotions and affections
	[B] The Bond between Jehovah and Israel	256
	[C] The Rupture of the Bond: The Sin of Israel	263
	Collective national sin – the corruption of ritual worship – Amos 5.25 – Isaiah 1.10-17 – Hosea 6.6 – Micah 6.6-9 – Amos 4.4 – Jeremiah 7.21-23 – social sin – Hosea’s doctrine of sin – Isaiah’s doctrine of sin – Israel’s sin as viewed by the prophets historically
	[D] The Judgment and the Restoration: Prophetic Eschatology	286
	The views of the Wellhausen school of criticism – the eschatological teaching of the prophets – Hosea – Isaiah – the ‘latter days’ in Hosea – the ‘future glory’ in Isaiah
	The New Testament
1	THE STRUCTURE OF NEW TESTAMENT REVELATION	299
	[1] From indications in the Old Testament
	[2] From the teachings of Jesus
	[3] From the teachings of Paul and the other apostles
	The new dispensation is final – is a further revelation to be expected?
2	REVELATION CONNECTED WITH THE NATIVITY	305
	Aspects of the Nativity
3	REVELATION CONNECTED WITH JOHN THE BAPTIST	311
	Matthew 11.2-19 – John the Baptist and Elijah – John the Baptist’s testimony to Jesus – John’s baptism – the baptism of Jesus by John – the descent of the Spirit on Jesus – the post-baptismal testimony of the Baptist to Jesus – John 1.15, 30 – John 1.29, 36 – John 1.34 – John 3.27-36
4	REVELATION IN THE PROBATION OF JESUS	330
	The temptation in the wilderness – the Lord’s temptation and our own – the specific form assumed by our Lord’s temptation – the Lord’s temptations interpreted – Deuteronomy 8.3 – Deuteronomy 6.16 – Deuteronomy 6.13 – temptability and peccability
5	THE REVELATION OF JESUS’ PUBLIC MINISTRY	343
	[A] The Various Aspects of Christ’s Revealing Function	343
	Four divisions of revelation by Christ – Jesus’ revealing work in the Gospels
	[B] The Question of Development	348
	[C] The Method of Jesus’ Teaching	350
	Similitudes – parables proper – specialization-parables – the ‘allegorical’ method – the philosophy of the parabolic teaching – ‘time’ and ‘truth’ in the Fourth Gospel
	[D] Jesus’ Attitude Toward the Scriptures of the Old Testament	357
	A ‘religion of the Book’ – certain critical claims disproved
	[E] Jesus’ Doctrine of God	363
	Jesus’ teaching on the divine Fatherhood – Jesus’ stress on the divine majesty and greatness – the retributive righteousness of God
	[F] Jesus’ Teaching on the Kingdom of God	372
	[1] The formal questions. The kingdom in the Old Testament – the kingdom in the Gospels – ‘the kingdom of Heaven’ – modern theories of ‘the kingdom’ – the two-sided conception of the kingdom	372
	[2] The essence of the kingdom. Divine supremacy in the sphere of power – faith as related to the kingdom’s power – ‘faith’ as used in John – divine supremacy in the sphere of righteousness – our Lord’s critique of Jewish ethics – repentance – divine supremacy in the sphere of blessedness – kingdom and church	385
	INDEX: SUBJECTS AND NAMES	403
	SCRIPTURE REFERENCES	417

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Vaclav Vasil – September 25, 2018

This book was my first introduction to Biblical Theology when I entered Toronto Baptist Seminary. I learned a lot about how God promises the redemption in Christ in OT and fulfills it in the NT. It’s well written and will be a rewarding read for anyone who takes the time with this not so short book. I have good memories of learning from it under the wise teaching of the late Dr. Geof Adams.
Stephen Otto – August 20, 2023

A challenging volume for the layperson, but this obstacle can now be ameliorated significantly by reading along with Vos Group hosted by Reformed Forum. This work will help to “fill in the gaps” of any prior theological training previously received by the typical layperson, will feed an interest and appetite in God’s Word, and will ultimately aid in maturing the lay reader to productivity in the church.