Systematic Theology draws a circle and examines the logical relationships between doctrines; Biblical Theology draws a line and traces the historical progress of special revelation. Biblical Theology does not replace Systematic Theology but it supports and strengthens it by helping us to see the true Scriptural basis of our doctrines. For example, how do we know there is such a thing as “the covenant of grace” and “the covenant of works”? Are these just logically derived theological constructs, or are they really taught in Scripture? Biblical Theology is useful for Systematics because it shows how doctrines are not ad hoc church dogmas supported by a handful of doubtful proof texts, but are deeply imbedded in the Organism of special revelation.
As Geerhardus Vos said: “Biblical Theology relieves to some extent the unfortunate situation that even the fundamental doctrines of the faith should seem to depend mainly on the testimony of isolated proof-texts. There exists a higher ground on which conflicting religious views can measure themselves as to their Scriptural legitimacy. In the long run that system will hold the field which can be proven to have grown organically from the main stem of revelation, and to be interwoven with the very fibre of Biblical religion” (Biblical Theology, 17-18).
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