Biblical Integration
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Developing a Model
Critique the following “theological” statements from my
kids: (taken from actual statements from when my kids
were young children)
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McKenzie (2 yrs), “I help me.”
Jackson (then 3 yrs), “Did God make our house?”
Graham (then 3 yrs), [My wife asks, “Why did Jesus die on the
cross?”] “For His own glory.”
McKayla (then 4 yrs), [My wife stays, “the Bible says…”] “How do
we know that the Bible is right?”
Hayden (then 6 yrs), (upon hearing that his grandfather died),
[smiling] “So, he is with Jesus right now?”
A Biblical-Theology Warm-up
Separated Faith View
 Faith and Personal Knowledge View
 Intertwined Faith View
 Biblical Foundation View
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Models for Biblical Integration
2 Cor 10:1-7- a spiritual battle; the knowledge of God and destroying speculations;
capturing every thought; gospel
10:3-6
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,
4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely
powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying
speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of
God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience
is complete.
4:3-4
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the
unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory
of Christ, who is the image of God. (NASB)
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 & 4:3-4
Scientific Enquiry
or the “Meaning”
of Art
Religious Faith
Models for Bib. Int.- Separated Faith View
This model resists meaningful integration. (secular view)
Religious
Faith
Interpreting
the Arts
Personal
Knowledge
(Experiential)
Scientific
Enquiry
Models for Bib. Int.- Faith and Personal Knowledge View
Personal knowledge draws on experiential sources such as
faith, science, or the arts. (liberal view)
Religious
Sciences
Faith
Arts
Biblical Integration
Models for Bib. Int.- Intertwined Faith View
The truth claims of the Bible are co-mingled with the truths from
other sources. (critical view; can be more or less conservative)
All Academic Disciplines
Theology
Bible
Models for Bib. Int.- Biblical Foundation View
Biblical revelation provides the material for theological consideration. This
biblical theology serves as catalyst and axis point for all forms of knowledge.
All Academic Disciplines
Theology
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Bible
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Biblical Foundation view should not be over simplified to a “The
Bible contains all knowledge” perspective (by critics or advocates)
Biblical Foundation view requires biblical investigation and
interpretation, but also requires theological synthesis.
It is the “Theology” (drawn from text savvy biblical
interpretation) that becomes the means for engaging all disciplines
and fields.
Viewing all quests for knowledge through this biblical theological
lens sets the appropriate path, primary source, goal, and
significance of the quest. (Basic example from business: Mt 16:26)
Biblical Foundation View of Integration
Predominant for much of Christian history; fits with a “high view” of Scripture
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Starting with a biblical- theological foundation means that the
student (or scholar) will rule some pursuits out of bounds or
draw on certain axioms throughout any research.
Theology can provide the appropriate mental construct to ask
“why” questions along with “how” questions.
Theology can engender the humility that makes enquiry about
serving others and exalting God.
Theology as Guide
Discuss: What is a big “why” question for your field that theology might help answer?
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Erasmus (16th Dutch humanist): a return to the sources
Theology is always about exploring the sources.
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Biblical theology uses the biblical texts to understand the thinking
of the biblical authors, the grand story of the biblical narrative or the
biblical message in light of its original readers.
Historical theology engages the corpus of biblical interpretation or
other theological writings throughout the church’s history. It can be
thematic or chronological.
Systematic theology uses biblical texts, historical discussions and
the contemporary context to synthesize an orderly way to speak of
God, humanity and the scope of world history.
Theology as Source
Discuss: With which of three theological methods above do you feel most comfortable?
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For a Christian-oriented, liberal arts education (even within a
comprehensive university), “theology” or the place of God in the
world is a prevailing question.
God’s presence, power, and speech provide an order, meaning, and
appropriate end to all earthly existence. (Ecclesiastes)
To speak with clarity and accuracy about God, His work and His
purposes is a distinctively Christian task, a biblical-theological one.
To misunderstand God is to include a fundamental flaw in any
system of thought (philosophical, scientific, historical, or
religious).
Theology as Goal
Discuss: What is an area of your field that someone’s understanding of God could affect
their approach?
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Theology (biblical) is not just the “source” (or foundation) or just
the “goal” (or culmination/ recapitulation) of Christian thinking,
theology is the “secret to life”.
No passion is as hot without God. No accomplishment lasts
without God. No joy satisfies without God.
Music dances in the heart that is already filled with God. Labor
accomplishes as it is done with hands already clinging to God.
Other fields of knowledge finds a receptive home in the mind
already filled with God.
Theology as Life
Good Bible Reading
• Fast Reading- observes textual features
• Slow Reading- gathers textual clues
Ask Textual Questions
• What is the Bible about?
• What is the biblical book about?
• What is this passage about?
Tips:
 Re-reading the Bible is the best
path to understanding its
meaning.
 A biblical-theological framework
starts with the “Big Picture”. (i.e.
What is the Bible about?)
Determine Theological Significance of
Textual Meaning
• Authors (divine & human) are revealing God.
Nothing could be more “significant” for our lives.
Building a biblical-theological base