A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New

In this comprehensive exposition, a leading New Testament scholar explores the unfolding theological unity of the entire Bible from the vantage point of the New Testament. G. K. Beale, coeditor of the award-winning Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, examines how the New Testament storyline relates to and develops the Old Testament storyline. Beale argues that every major concept of the New Testament is a development of a concept from the Old and is to be understood as a facet of the inauguration of the latter-day new creation and kingdom.

Offering extensive interaction between the two testaments, this volume helps readers see the unifying conceptual threads of the Old Testament and how those threads are woven together in Christ. This major work will be valued by students of the New Testament and pastors alike.

Endorsements

"A magnificent achievement! Rarely does a volume in biblical studies come along with such breadth, depth, insight, and specificity. It is a brilliant reconstruction of themes that are central to Christian faith. This is a landmark accomplishment."
—David F. Wells, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

"Reflecting thirty years of research, this volume is unique in our time and in fact without close parallel in a discipline (biblical theology) that split the Old Testament off from the New over two hundred years ago. Beale has brought them back together in a creative and methodical way."
—Robert W. Yarbrough, Covenant Theological Seminary

"Drawing on decades of exegetical research and teaching, A New Testament Biblical Theology exists at the intersection of biblical studies and theology. Carrying on the tradition of Geerhardus Vos, Beale has raised the bar for biblical theology in our day. We will be digesting this volume for many years to come."
—Michael Horton, Westminster Seminary California

"A stimulating read. Readers will find the emphasis on the already-not yet end-time new creation and kingdom very enriching and insightful. What we have in this new biblical theology is an appreciation for the biblical story as a whole, an appreciation that provides a much-needed counterweight to the atomistic tendencies in much of our exegetical and theological work. Beale's book will make an important contribution."
—Craig A. Evans, Acadia Divinity College

"Beale demonstrates new creation as an umbrella category covering all of the other major motifs not only in the New Testament but also in the relevant Old Testament and Second Temple Jewish background material. Along the way, readers are treated to outstanding up-to-date discussions of most of the main topics they have come to expect and some new ones. Throughout, Beale is thoroughly evangelical and thoroughly scholarly. This work is a true tour de force."
—Craig L. Blomberg, Denver Seminary

Contents

1. Introduction

Part 1: The Biblical-Theological Storyline of Scripture

2. The Redemptive-Historical Storyline of the Old Testament
3. The Eschatological Storyline of the Old Testament: The Old Testament Focus on the Latter Days
4. The Eschatological Storyline of the Old Testament in Relation to Judaism: The Jewish Focus on the Latter Days
5. The Eschatological Storyline of the Old Testament in Relation to the New Testament: The Testament Focus on the Latter Days
6. Further Reflections on the Nature of the Eschatological New Testament Storyline

Part 2: The Story of the Inaugurated End-Time Tribulation

7. The Eschatological Great Tribulation Commencing in Jesus and the Church

Part 3: The Story of the Inaugurated End-Time Resurrection and New-Creational Kingdom as a Framework for New Testament Theology

8. The Old Testament-Jewish View of Resurrection and Resurrection as Inaugurated End-Time New Creation and Kingdom in the Gospels and Acts
9. Resurrection as Inaugurated End-Time New Creation and Kingdom in Paul’s Writings
10. More-Explicit Pauline Expressions of Resurrection as Inaugurated End-Time New Creation and Kingdom
11. Resurrection as Inaugurated End-Time New Creation and Kingdom in the General Epistles and Revelation

Part 4: The Story of Idolatry and Restoration of God’s Image in the Inaugurated End-Time New Creation

12. Sin as Idolatry – Resembling the Image That Is Revered Either for Ruin or for Restoration
13. The Inaugurated End-Time Restoration of God’s Image in Humanity: The Old Testament and the Synoptic Gospels
14. The Inaugurated End-Time Restoration of God’s Image in Humanity: Paul, Hebrews, and Revelation

Part 5: The Story of Salvation as Inaugurated End-Time New Creation

15. The Inaugurated Latter-Day Justification
16. Inaugurated Latter-Day Reconciliation as New Creation and Restoration from Exile

Part 6: The Story of the Work of the Spirit in the Inaugurated End-Time New Creation

17. The Spirit as the Transforming Agent of the Inaugurated Eschatological New Creation
18. The Commencement of the Spirit’s Building of Believers into the Transformed Temple of the End-Time New Creation
19. The Story of the Eden Sanctuary, Israel’s Temple, and Christ and the Church as the Ongoing Transformed Eschatological Temple of the Spirit in the New-Creational Kingdom

Part 7: The Story of the Church as End-Time Israel in the Inaugurated New Creation

20. The Church as the Transformed and Restored Eschatological Israel
21. The Church as the Transformed and Restored Eschatological Israel (Continued)
22. The Relationship of Israel’s Land Promises to the Fulfillment of Israel’s Restoration and New Creation Prophecies in Christ and the Church

Part 8: The Distinguishing Marks of the Church as storyline Facets of the End-Time Inaugurated New Creation

23. The Church’s New Creational Transformation of Israel’s Distinguishing Marks: The Sunday Sabbath Observance of the Church as an “Already and Not Yet” New-Creational End-Time Reality
24. The Church’s New-Creational Transformation of Israel’s Distinguishing Marks: Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, the Church Office, and New Testament Canon

Part 9: The Story of Christian Living as Inaugurated End-Time New-Creational Life

25. Christian Living as the Beginning of Transformed New-Creational Life: The End-Time Indicative-Imperative Pattern and Ongoing Return from Exile
26. Christian Living as the Beginning of Transformed New-Creational Life: The Role of the Law and Marriage

Part 10: Conclusion

27. The Relationship of Inaugurated and Consummated Eschatological Realities to the Parallel Realities Experienced by Old Testament Saints
28. The Purpose of the Redemptive-Historical Story and Implications for Christian Living in the ‘Already and Not Yet’ Eschatological Age of the New Creation