Biblical Theology at ETS

Remember, remember, the fifth of November

Doom Scrolling & the Return of the Kingdom

In a world captivated by the 24-hour news cycle and the latest political drama, it’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of power plays. We place our hopes in elections, pin our dreams on political leaders, and participate in endless debates about proper policies and competing visions of Christian cultural engagement. Too often we lose sight of the King and his coming kingdom.

This is how I began a recent reflection on Stephen Dempster’s new book, Return of the Kingdom, a biblical theology of God’s reign across the biblical canon. In this book, Dempster explores the grand narrative of God’s sovereign rule over a kingdom that has been unfolding since the beginning of time and that will continue long after the political landscapes of our age have faded. Dempster offers a biblical-theological antidote to a culture that oscillates between alarmism and cold-hearted indifference. That antidote requires focusing on the biblical narrative, which tells how “the world awaits the return of the kingdom of God, and its rightful heirs—human beings crowned with glory and honor” (4).

The review was posted at TGC on Nov 5 and was probably the most momentous thing that happened last Tuesday, as people across the nation stayed up into the night reading the review and considering the implications of biblical theology. This sounds right?

At any rate, I really like the way that Dempster develops the theme of the kingdom in obvious and more subtle canonical locations and also the way he applies it to our contemporary mindset. My conclusion for the review focuses on this applied aspect of biblical theology:

 In a world dominated by doom scrolling and information overload, Jesus gives us access to “the newsfeed of the kingdom” (200). This kingdom newsfeed is full of “upside-down headlines” (200). People are oppressed, but there is someone feeding the poor. Leaders are corrupt, but there is someone ministering gospel truth to the lost. Fake news is everywhere, but someone is speaking truth to power and wisdom to the saints. Because Christ is king, the church can be a royal priesthood of believers who are not beholden to the lies of counterfeit kingdoms. 

In the end, biblical theology can ignite and sustain the fire of biblical worship. If this story of God’s kingdom is true, Dempster insists, we can live in peace even as we navigate the weariness of this world. Dempster’s work is a reliable guide that can help us see the greatness of God, the bigness of the Bible’s story, and the life-giving hope that comes from focusing our gaze on the king of glory and his comprehensive kingdom. 

BT at ETS

My brief TGC reflection is also a preview of sorts to what I’m up to at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society in a few weeks. As the chair for the Biblical Theology study group, I’m moderating two sessions. In the second session, we will interact with Dempster himself and discuss his recent work from a variety of angles (OT, NT, & BT).

My presentation will focus on the value of Dempster’s work for teachers and practitioners of biblical theology. First, I will sketch some of the main contours of the discipline of biblical theology and then seek to show how Return of the Kingdom illustrates and participates in the discipline. Another way of articulating my approach is that I’m asking, “What makes Return of the Kingdom a work of biblical theology versus something else?” What are the features of method, assumption, and results that make the characterization of biblical theology fitting for a work like this?

I’m looking forward to this session as our session also intends to celebrate Dempster’s work and honor his wonderful contribution to the discipline of biblical theology (in this work and across his own corpus).

Digital Giveaway of One Grand Story
(via Goodreads)

If you have a Goodreads account, there is currently a giveaway for an opportunity to secure a digital kindle copy of my most recent book, One Grand Story: How the Bible Tells its Story and Why it Matters (Codex Books, 2024).

It doesn’t require much to enter (I believe all that happens when you enter is that the book is listed on your “to read” shelf), it ends Dec 10, and there are 100 copies that will be given away on that ending date (Goodreads will automatically select & deliver a copy to the Kindle accounts of those that are randomly selected).

Thanks for reading!