Benjamin L. Gladd - From Adam and Israel to the Church: A Biblical Theology of the People of God

THE ESSENTIAL STUDIES IN BIBLICAL THEOLOGY is patterned after the highly esteemed series New Studies in Biblical Theology, edited by D. A. Carson. Like the NSBT, this series is devoted to unpacking the various strands of biblical theology. The field of biblical theology has grown exponentially in recent years, showing no sign of abating. At the heart of biblical theology is the unfolding nature of Gods plan of redemption as set forth in the Bible.

With an influx of so many books on biblical theology, why generate yet another series? A few reasons. The ESBT is dedicated to the fundamental or essential broad themes of the grand story line of the Bible. Stated succinctly, the goal of the ESBT is to explore the central biblical-theological themes of the Bible. Several existing series on biblical theology are generally open-ended, whereas the ESBT will be limited to ten or so volumes. By restricting the entire series, the scope of the project is established from the beginning. The ESBT project functions as a whole in that each theme is intentional, and each volume stands not solely on its own merits. The individual volumes interlock with one another and, taken together, form a complete and cohesive unit.

Another unique dimension of the series is a robust emphasis on biblical theology, spanning the entire sweep of the history of redemption. Each volume traces a particular theme throughout the Bible, from Genesis 13 to Revelation 2122, and is organically connected to the person of Christ and to the New Testament church. To avoid a flat biblical theology, these projects are mindful of how the New Testament develops their topic in fresh or unexpected ways. For example, the New Testament sheds new light on the nature of kingdom and messiah. Though these twin themes are rooted and explored in the Old Testament, both flow through the person of Christ in unique ways. Biblical theology should include how Old Testament themes are held in continuity and discontinuity with the New Testament.

The audience of the series includes beginning students of theology, church leaders, and laypeople. The ESBT is intended to be an accessible introduction to core biblical-theological themes of the Bible. This series is not designed to overturn every biblical-theological rock and investigate the finer details of Scripture. Each volume is intentionally brief, serving as a primer of sorts that introduces the reader to a particular theme. These works also attempt to apply their respective biblical-theological themes to Christian living, ministry, and worldview. Good biblical theology warms the heart and motivates us to grow in our knowledge and adoration of the triune God.

Benjamin L. Gladd

THIS PROJECT REPRESENTS my own theological journey. Having grown up in a conservative, dispensationalist home and having graduated from The Masters College, I was taught that Israel and the church were two different people groups. Two separate entities with two separate destinies. The church was now living in something of an unexpected parenthesis in the broad story line of the Bible. Predictably, I grew to envy the nation of Israel, as I wanted to inherit all of Gods promises and fully participate in his program. I didnt want to be a second-class citizen in the people of God.

I went on to study Bible and theology in graduate school, where I learned about biblical theology and how the two Testaments properly relate to one another. Israel and the church were not separate but were unified in the person of Christ. Jesus of Nazareth is the true Israel of God, who reconstituted the people of God in himself. So, the church, composed of believing Jews and Gentiles, is the restored people of God, true Israel, because of their identification with him.

A tectonic shift had taken place in how I read the Bible, and one of the things that shaped my understanding was examining the use of the Old Testament in the New. The apostles quote the Old Testament approximately three hundred times and allude to the Old Testament well over a thousand times. So, when the apostles instruct their congregations, do they plead with them to read the Old Testament as observers or as participants? I believe its the latter.

This project is, therefore, the fruit of my personal struggle with Israel and the church. Moreover, Ive written this book for my students and friends who also are coming to grips with their own identity in Christ. The more I read the New Testament, the more I realize how fundamental this principle was for the early church. The apostles never grew tired of reminding their congregations of working out their identity as the restored people of God and the true Israel.

Im thankful for my wife, Nikki, and my kids, Judah and Simon, who encourage me beyond measure. My understanding of identity has been sharpened through them. Im also thankful for my church, Highlands Presbyterian, in Madison, Mississippi, which has given me ample opportunities to teach on this subject. Our friends there warm our hearts toward Christ. Im thankful for InterVarsity Press for accepting this project. Dan Reid, though now retired, was incredibly encouraging in the initial stages of this project and the ESBT series as a whole. Im also grateful for Anna Gissing at InterVarsity and her invaluable input. Finally, Im indebted to Michael Morales and Guy Waters for reading portions of this manuscript and giving me helpful feedback.