When most Christians hear the phrase “biblical theology,” it’s likely that what comes to mind is “theology that comes from or conforms to the Bible.” 

But Christians from the Reformed tradition are often familiar with (or have been taught by someone familiar with) the works of Geerhardus Vos, O. Palmer Robertson, Richard Gaffin, Edmund Clowney, Graeme Goldsworthy, Greg Beale, and others. Therefore they understand that “biblical theology” is a unique theological approach that studies the unfolding history of special revelation—or to quote Vos’ definition, “that branch of Exegetical Theology which deals with the process of the self-revelation of God deposited in the Bible.” 

But how do we unpack this understanding of “biblical theology” to someone who has never encountered it before? 

In his new book, “Tracing God’s Story: An Introduction to Biblical Theology” (Crossway, 2024), Jon Nielson sets about to accomplish this task. The volume is the second in a three-part series (the first covering systematic theology and the third covering hermeneutics) and is accompanied by a companion workbook and video series that will surely make the book more useful. 

The book is written for a broad audience, as Nielson does not assume that his readers are biblically literate, theologically trained, or already Reformed or Presbyterian. His book is well suited for a new believer, or someone who has never before read the entire Bible or seen how all the parts of the Bible make up a coherent whole. 

Nielson unfolds the Scriptures in a simple and clear manner from Genesis to Revelation, displaying the unity of God’s Word and outlining God’s one plan of salvation in Jesus Christ. His aim is to give the reader a better grasp of the Bible’s storyline, so he walks through creation and fall; God’s promise of a people in the book of Genesis; the growth of God’s people from the Exodus through the period of the Judges; the rise and fall of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah; the time of exile and return; the appearance of Jesus; the growth of the church; and the consummation of all things at the return of Christ. 

Every chapter encourages the reader to memorize Bible verses, to read several large portions of God’s word along with the book itself, and to pray in light of what was just studied. Nielson succinctly and accessibly explains selected parts of the Scriptures as well as whole books of the Bible, and from them he draws out implications for daily living. He seeks to “put the Bible together,” connecting Old Testament and New Testament texts and themes throughout the book. 

The only thing that could have improved this volume is a more direct and explicit presentation of covenant theology as the skeleton of God’s unfolding revelation. Even without this,  however, the readers will develop an appetite for ’ biblical theology, and he or she will come away from this book with a greater understanding of the Bible and the big picture of God’s saving work in Jesus throughout human history. 

Caleb Cangelosi is the senior pastor of Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church in Ridgeland, Mississippi