Biblical Theology According to the Apostles: How the Earliest Christians Told the Story of Israel (Volume 52)

New Studies in Biblical Theology #52

by Chris Bruno, Jared Compton, Kevin McFadden

Biblical Foundations Book Awards Runner up and Finalist How did the apostles understand the Old Testament? Although relatively few in number, the New Testament's explicit summaries of the Old Testament story of Israel give readers direct access into the way the earliest Christians told this story―that is to say, into the way they did biblical theology. This stimulating New Studies in Biblical Theology volume examines the passages in the Synoptic Gospels, Acts, Paul's letters, and Hebrews which recount the characters, events, and institutions of Israel's story in chronological order and at substantial length. The authors demonstrate just how valuable a lens these summaries provide for a clearer vision of the earliest Christians' practice of biblical theology. In doing so, they also show how contemporary readers can and should follow the apostles' example. Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies, Old Testament, New Testament

230 pages, Paperback

Published June 23, 2020

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Chris Bruno (PhD, Wheaton College) is the assistant professor of New Testament and Greek at Bethlehem College & Seminary.

He has served at Northland International University, Cedarville University, and Trinity Christian School in Kailua, HI. Before that, he was pastor of discipleship and training at Harbor Church in Honolulu, HI.

Chris and his wife Katie have been married since 2001 and have four sons who love to be outdoors playing ball or pretending to be super heroes, all while wrestling their dad.

Reviews

[Matt Pitts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid contribution to the field of biblical theology.

There are numerous ways to explore the relationship between the NT and the OT, but the path this trip takes is unaccountably less traveled than one might expect. They find in the NT several summaries of Isreal's story (which they abbreviate SIS) and explore them in detail in order to understand how the NT authors understood, interpreted, and applied Israel's story to their NT audiences.

I was interested mostly in what they would say about Matthew, Romans, and Galatians, but was pleasantly surprised by what was for me at least a fresh and insightful explanation of Hebrews 11.

The final chapter offers some conclusions based on the diverse yet unified witness of the NT regarding Israel's story. These conclusions are designed to guide our own practice of biblical theology and are perhaps the strongest part of the book.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The New Testament writers were Old Testament people. As a result, every chapter of the New Testament is saturated with Old Testament references, allusions, motifs, and quotations. But every once in a while a New Testament writer gives an explicit overview of Israel’s story at some length. The authors of this NSBT volume settle on seven such passages for in-depth study, and the result is thoroughly rewarding.

One example comes at the very beginning—Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus. From this deceptively ordinary list of names, Matthew retells the whole history of Israel. The major segments from Abraham to David, David to exile, and exile to the Messiah recall God’s promises and Israel’s failures. The authors highlight how the fidelity of Gentile women play a key role in preserving the line of the Messiah, who ends Israel’s exile.

Toward the end of his gospel, Matthew continues and concludes Israel’s story in the parable of the wicked tenants. Since Israel rejected God’s messengers, the vineyard will extend beyond Israel to others.

The authors continue with Stephen’s and Paul’s summaries in Acts 7 and 13. Stephen doesn’t defend himself by the history he recounts so much as sharpen accusations against the rulers. Rather than being merely anti-temple, Stephen focuses on God’s goal of saving his stubborn people—a pattern he continues in the Messiah. Paul likewise emphasizes how Israel’s story is continued in and its covenants fulfilled in Christ.

Paul, however, takes a different approach in Galatians 3–4. Three times in quick succession he follows the story from Abraham to Christ—arguing in turn from Scripture, history and allegory. Significantly he makes the case that the law only plays a “secondary, negative, temporary and preparatory role” for the true climax to come is in the Messiah. Thus Gentiles don’t need the law to be justified because the law was there to highlight God’s grace.

Regarding Romans 9–11, the authors make a valuable distinction. Paul says Israel never had a fundamentally ethnic identity (Israel according to the flesh) but always had a theological identify (God’s children). Why do we know this? Because many of Abraham’s descendants (through Ishmael and Esau) were not children of the promise. God still cares for all, but we become his children through faith and grace.

The authors close with a detailed and fruitful analysis of the heroes of faith found in Hebrews 11, and then draw overall conclusions both about the biblical theology of the apostles and about the methods by which they developed their biblical theology.

Christians have for too long appreciated too little how we participate in the continuation of Israel’s story. We have emphasized far too much our discontinuity with the promises of God made to Abraham and David. Yes, we have enjoyed the climax in Christ. But this book, full of careful discussion and fascinating insights, begins to open our eyes to our full identity as children of a faithful, loving God.

--

The publisher provided me with a complimentary copy of the book. My opinions are my own.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A study of the summaries of Israel’s story in the New Testament and their culmination in the person of Christ.

The co-authors of this work call attention to a form of material not often paid heed to in the New Testament: the summaries of Israel’s story (SIS for short). They focus on seven SIS in the New Testament, and for each consider its context, content, and contribution to biblical theology. The seven are, with brief summaries of their contribution to biblical theology”

Matthew 1:1-17. Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus. The build-up from Matthew to David, then the interruption of Israel’s hope in the exile, brought full circle with the birth of Jesus.

Matthew 21:33-46. The parable of the unfaithful tenants. The story of judgment upon Israel for failing to fulfill its covenant obligations and the culmination of the covenant in the rejected stone who becomes the holy mountain.

Acts 7. Stephens speech. Traces God’s vindication of his rejected servants climaxing in Christ whom the religious leaders had rejected.

Acts 13:16-41. Paul’s sermon in Pisidian Antioch. Traces the unfolding covenant from Abraham to Moses focusing on David and Christ, David’s greater son.

Galatians 3-4. Paul’s three versions of Abraham’s (and Israel’s) story in relation to the law and his offspring, Christ, and those who by faith are also his offspring, heirs by faith and promise, not law.

Romans 9-11. Israel’s identity. Israel by descent and by faith and the salvation of all Israel, on which the authors do not agree as to interpretation.

Hebrews 11. Israel’s heroes of faith. The authors observe the twin themes of social alienation and death and their heavenly hope fulfilled in the resurrection of Jesus.

The authors note a number of threads running through these stories, most notably how they climax in Christ who resolves the tension of the seemingly failed land promises and exile. They highlight Abraham and David, who prefigure Christ, and Moses, more complex both as a figure of faith and the bringer of the Law. All told, the authors show how these summaries of Israel’s story contribute to the larger compositions in which they are embedded, focusing on Christ as covenant fulfillment and the example of persisting faith as an encouragement to an often-suffering church.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Philip Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a ripper. The authors go through every NT passage that recounts the story of the Old Testament (particularly from Abraham onwards) to carefully look at what the NT authors are getting at. In-so-doing, they take note of how the NT author is interacting with the OT passage, what he understands it to be saying, how it fits with other OT texts and ideas, and what this means for our understanding of Jesus and his church. They look at the genealogy of Matthew 1, the parable of the Vineyard in Matthew 21, Stephen's speech in Acts 7, Paul's speech in Acts 13, Paul's discussion of Israel in Romans 9-11, Paul's discussion of the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants in Galatians 3-4, and the cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 11. Really solid.

It's made me aware that I do need to go away and tighten up my thinking around Galatians and how the Mosaic and Abrahamic covenants relate (Paul does seem to contrast them and I wonder if there's a little too much continuity in my thinking).

[Micah Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but somewhat of a disappointment. Often felt like good exegesis of NT use of OT than Biblical Theology as I expect it to be. Not enough showing how NT and OT read OT in the same way. Section on Matthew’s genealogy was nearly in depth enough for me. Chapters on Hebrews 11 and reflections on Biblical Theology were easily the most insightful.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruno, et al., explore SIS or summaries of Israel's story in the NT. They cover Matthew, Acts, Galatians, Romans and Hebrews, with concluding chapter that discusses ways that we can learn from the interaction of NT authors with the OT. There is much food for thought and exegetical insight found in its pages. A welcome contribution to biblical theology. Highly recommended.

[Collin Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very solid!

[Edwin David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Generally, sometime in the spring, I start a book review with the words, this may just be the best book that I read all year. This is that point for 2020. IVP has provided me with a pre-publication pdf of Biblical Theology According to the Apostles: How The Earliest Christians Told The Story Of Israel and I have to say that it is brilliant. Go away now and order yourself a copy and then return and read this review.

This is a medium format paperback of around 250 pages, the last twenty of which are a bibliography. The book is unashamedly academic, with slews of footnotes. That being said, it’s not a difficult read and there are one or two witticisms thrown in (I particularly enjoyed the Star Wars analogy), which lighten the touch. Currently it will set you back around £15 or a tenner for the Kindle book. On a personal note, I would say that I’d always prefer to read a book like this on my Kindle, as the facility to highlight passages and then retrieve and file the highlights is a huge help. Other opinions are available.

The title of the book basically gives away what its subject matter is. Essentially, the authors look at a variety of passages in the New Testament which give summaries of Israel’s story (abbreviated to SIS) and examine the context in which they occur, the content of the summary and their contribution to the NT author’s argument. Some of these summaries, such as Stephen’s recap of Israel’s history in Acts 7, are obvious, whereas others, such as the parable of the tenants in Matthew 21 are less so. That being said, the authors give perfectly adequate justifications for the passages they have included.

After an initial chapter which sets out their methods, the authors plunge into the biblical text. The pattern of the chapters in the main body of the work is similar, they give the context of the passage that they are looking at, they then examine the passage in some detail before looking at the contribution that the summary of Israel’s story makes to the argument. The exceptions to this rule are the first two chapters, each of which look at two summaries, in these cases, the contribution of the summaries are drawn together at the end of the chapter. There is a degree of helpful repetition and recapitulation in each chapter which helps keep you tracking with the discussion; but this is definitely a book to read with an open Bible in front of you (unless you have memorised the whole NT).

Chapter 2 covers Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus and the parable of the tenants. I particularly appreciated the detailed breakdown of the three sections of the genealogy, while the following quote about the presence of Tamar, Rahab and Ruth in the list, was always going to grab my attention:

These three Gentile women are not only the ancestors of the Messiah, but also point forward to him in their work of preserving God’s covenant line and rescuing his people from imminent destruction. In other words, they are themselves saviours of Israel. While interpreters who see the Gentile women in the genealogy foreshadowing the commission to the Gentiles in Matthew 28 are correct, this foreshadowing is found not only in their Gentile identity, but also in their direct actions that preserve the line of promise.

p. 21-22
It is impossible to rehears all of the arguments of the first chapter, but I found this summary sentence very helpful:

Moreover, the shaping of the Gospel of Matthew implies that Jesus not only is the culmination of Israel’s history and covenants, but also repeats Israel’s history in his own life, death and resurrection.

p. 42
Moreover, the shaping of the Gospel of Matthew implies that Jesus not only is the culmination of Israel’s history and covenants, but also repeats Israel’s history in his own life, death and resurrection. CLICK TO TWEET
Chapter 3 looks at the summaries of Israel’s story in Acts 7 (Stephen’s defence before the council) and Acts 13 (Paul at Pisidian Antioch), though it takes a brief look at Luke’s Gospel in order to establish the context. Though not essential to the book, I did find this quote very helpful:

However, it is best not to think of them as a single book (‘Luke-Acts’) but rather as a two-volume series. One might say they are less Lord of the Rings and more Chronicles of Narnia.

p. 52
More pertinently, the context and purpose of Stephen’s speech is set out:

As we consider the place of the speech in the structure of Acts, it stands as an introduction to the movement of the gospel from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria, and subsequently from Judea and Samaria to the end of the earth. Thus, Stephen’s underlying emphasis on the universalistic aspects of the covenant with Abraham are unsurprising. Stephen’s speech is not only a recitation of salvation history in the past, but also of the foundation for the continued story of God’s saving acts.

p. 66
However, it is best not to think of them as a single book (‘Luke-Acts’) but rather as a two-volume series. One might say they are less Lord of the Rings and more Chronicles of Narnia. CLICK TO TWEET
Chapter 4 examines passages that I have always found difficult; the Sarah/Hagar and Isaac/Ishmael narratives in Galatians 3 and 4. While I was reading this chapter, I found it the most helpful in the book, however, it is also the most dense and I will need to return to it in the near future to get the best out of it. I have always struggled with these passages, partly because of the way in which typology and allegory seem to be intertwined; the authors very helpfully untwined these aspects, but I will need to revisit what they said.

Chapter 5 takes us to Romans 9-11, the most extensive summary in the book.

The goal of this book has been to observe the exposed iceberg of apostolic biblical theology, and in this chapter we come to one of its highest peaks, Romans 9 – 11. This complex argument is the longest SIS in the NT, and contains the most concentrated series of OT quotations in all of Paul’s letters and perhaps the entire NT.

p. 115
Running through this chapter is the theme:

Paul argues that Israel have never had a fundamentally ethnic identity but have always had (and always will have) a theological identity – Israel are the people who have mercifully been called by God.

p. 116
This is not particularly new, but the way in which the authors hold the tension between the overlapping ethnic and theological Israels is very helpful. It is perhaps understandable, if a little frustrating, that three authors couldn’t agree on what exactly “all Israel will be saved” means, but they do provide a brief overview of the different readings of this passage.

Chapter 6 looks at the “heroes of faith” passage in Hebrews 11 as a summary of Israel’s story. I’d never consciously noticed (though it’s pretty obvious, now that it has been pointed out) that this passage has two distinct sections. The first one is about named individuals and moves at a slow pace through the cannon, while the second section is far faster and draws people together apparently at random. What is more surprising is the way that the two lists echo each other (look at verses 13 and 39 if you don’t believe me). Having done this clever bit of analysis, the authors go on to examine the significance of the list in the overall argument of Hebrews.

The final chapter draws the whole book together, reprises the main themes and sets out some eminently sensible rules for doing biblical theology on the basis of what the book has uncovered.

We submit, then, that in our own biblical theology we should read the story both backwards and forwards. The OT witness to Christ is seen more clearly through the lens of the NT and thus we should use the end of the story to enlighten the beginning. On the other hand, we should also read the story forwards. We should expect the OT, as the very Word of God, to bear prophetic witness to the person and work of Jesus Christ.

p. 187
It should be obvious that I enjoyed the book. There are many individual highlights, some of which I’ve mentioned above. However, the great thrill in the book lies in the way in which it unites the Old and New Testaments in a thought-through way. I found my appreciation for the whole of Scripture growing as I read the book. I also very much appreciated the missional way in which it closes with a quote from Lesslie Newbigin:

Authentic Christian thought and action begin not by attending to the aspirations of people, not by answering the questions they are asking in their terms, not by offering solutions to the problems as the world sees them. It must begin and continue by attending to what God has done in the story of Israel and supremely in the story of Jesus Christ. It must continue by indwelling that story so that it is our story, the way we understand the real story. And then, and this is the vital point, to attend with open hearts and minds to the real needs of people.

p. 201
As a reminder, I was provided with a pre-publication electronic copy of this book in return for this review. I have attempted not to allow this generosity to influence my views. If I thought it was a stinker, I would have said so.

[Adam Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

How did the apostles do biblical theology and what can we learn from them? That's the question Bruno, Compton and McFadden attempt to answer in this new contribution to the NSBT series. They focus on seven explicit extended summaries of Israel's history on the New Testament, looking at the context and content of each, as well as their contribution to biblical theology.

Through their analysis, they show the apostles understood the story of Israel as climaxing with Christ, continuing in the church and concluding in the new creation. Within this framework, the apostles offer different contextual retellings, with varying purposes and emphases, depending on their original audience and rhetorical aims.

Each of their chapters is marked by careful exegesis and clear interpretation, but they're happy to leave ambiguity where appropriate (they do not, for example, agree a conclusion on the "all Israel" of Romans 11:26). You may find some chapters more stimulating than others, depending on your interests: for me, their work on Romans 9–11 and Hebrews 11 was the highlight. As well as reading this book for the overall argument, it's also a rich source for any preachers working through these passages too.

These seven explorations lead to a brilliant final chapter, where they draw some principles for a "biblical-theological rule of faith," discussing plot, characters and method. The plot of Israel's story needs to be read both "forwards" and "backwards" – that is, read in light of the revelation of Jesus Christ, but also seeing the Old Testament as a genuine anticipation of the New. The human characters of the story are sometimes exemplars to inspire us (as in Hebrews 11), sometimes as types of the Messiah (as in the rejected servants of the Lord), but always the main character is God.

If you enjoy the NSBT series, I'm sure you'll enjoy this. An excellent piece of scholarship.

[Susan Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The New Testament authors shared their understanding of their spiritual history as they wrote their accounts and letters. How they do this following Jesus’ life, death and resurrection shows us the significance of Jesus to God’s unfolding purposes. The title and subtitle provides a good summary of the book: Biblical Theology According to the Apostles : How the earliest Christians told the story of the Old Testament.

In the book, the three authors (Chris Bruno, Jared Compton and Kevin McFadden) take seven examples of the retelling of Israel’s history. Two from the book of Matthew (his genealogy 1:1-17 and Jesus’ parable of the tenants 21:33-46); two from Acts (Stephen’s speech chapter 7 and Paul’s sermon in Pisidian Antioch 13:16-41); one from Galatians (the history of salvation chapters 3-4); one from Romans (God’s faithfulness to Israel chapters 9-11); and Hebrews (‘hall of faith’ in chapter 11). In each example, they explain the context, content and the contribution the story makes to biblical theology.

The book is heavy going. It’s an in-depth look at issues we probably don’t think a lot about. However, the authors do share valuable insights and aim to deepen our understanding of how the early Christians viewed Jesus as the climax of history and what this means for believers today.

Overall, an academic read with worthwhile information.

[Benjamin Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great study of the New Testament retellings of OT history. (Matt 1, Parable of the Tenants, Acts 7, 13, Gal 3-4, Rom 9-11, and Hen 11).
Each study is a well-done piece of exegetical and biblical theology (especially the first and the last) and the whole provides an encouraging and challenging read which instructs in how to read, live in, and retell the OT situationally as it climaxes in the person and work of Christ and continues in his Church.

[Thomas Creedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fairly rapid re-read - this time electronically - with some work questions/meetings in mind. Holds up really well - Bruno/Compton/McFadden persuasively demonstrate that reading the Bible like the Apostles did would be helpful. Firstly, because it grounds us in the story of God. Secondly, because it makes us read (and hopefully preach and pastor) sensitively regarding the Jews. Thirdly, because it invites us to read all of the Bible, in order to understand all that is going on.

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

More on Christology in the old testament. The author argue that though often in unexpected ways, the trajectory of Israel’s story was always moving towards the climactic appearance of the Messiah, and is full of patterns and persons who foreshadow the Messiah. This book studies what new testament said and conclude about Jewish history in the old testament.

[Vincent Lemieux · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good contribution to biblical theology.

[Jeremy Tetreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

The chapters on Galatians, Romans, and Hebrews are worth the price of the book. Tremendous outline for doing biblical theology.

[Ethan Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a relatively unique approach to biblical theology. Whereas some miss the forest for the trees or vice versa, this book looks at the forest by looking at the trees. The authors note multiple retellings of Israel's history in the NT and ascertain what they teach us about how the NT authors did biblical theology. Their methodological conclusions are nothing revolutionary or profound, yet the process of intently seeking to understand biblical theology by studying the NT author's own use of it was very insightful. This is also a solid contribution to the growing awareness of the NT's reliance and interconnectedness to the OT. For that alone the authors should be applauded.