Rethinking Biblical and Systematic Theology

Ben Witherington III

• Publisher: Cascade Books
• Year: 2026
• Print ISBN:
  9798385260782
  9798385260799
• eBook ISBN:
  9798385260805
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Studies

In this volume Ben Witherington seeks to clarify the differences between biblical and systematic theology and deal with the many factors that have to be taken into account to do either of these forms of theology well. He points out the problems with abstracting ideas or concepts from the narrative thought world that exists in the Bible, which results in ignoring or distorting the original historical, rhetorical, ethical, and linguistic contexts, not to mention the way God’s revelation is progressively revealed. Furthermore, systematic theology cannot just be biblical theology summarized with a passing glance at theological developments in later historical, Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant theologies. It needs to take into account engagements of the Bible with science, with philosophy (particularly epistemology), with apologetics, and with theories of meaning. Very few scholars have enough breadth of knowledge to even undertake systematic theology on these terms. In this landmark work, Witherington makes clear the pitfalls to avoid in doing theology that is properly grounded in the Bible, while providing a précis of how biblical and systematic theology can be done well and with insight.

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Prologue: A Text Without a Context . . .
• Part One: What Have They Done to Biblical
• Part Two: Toward a Proper Approach
• Appendix One: Is God Quixotic, and Changing His Mind About Sexual Ethics?
• Appendix Two: Toward a More Historical Method to Do Socio-Rhetorical Criticism
• Bibliography