Review by Jon Wymer

Ever step into the middle of a fight? In his new book, Michael Lawrence steps into the middle of not one but two major issues.

Is methodology or theology more important? Consider yourself warned: This is really a methodology book rather than a focused biblical theology. If you already swim deep in biblical theology, Lawrence may disappoint you. But in this book he explains how theology has an impact on methodology, and his work is a great starting point for church leaders who desire better foundations for local ministry.

Is biblical or systematic theology more relevant today? Even secular experts agree that biblical literacy is rapidly declining in the United States. Churches intent on postmodernism have largely migrated to story (i.e. biblical theology) while de-emphasizing doctrine (i.e. systematic theology). Lawrence says that both biblical and systematic theology are important, and he provides tools and practical how-tos.

It is no longer accurate in the United States to assume that average people are familiar with the Bible. Lawrence offers a practical toolbox for church leaders to build biblical storylines into the fiber of their ministry.

Jon Wymer is pastor of York (Neb.) EFC and blogs at yorkefree.org. He is driven to see robust theology shape the church in this generation.

Review by Dennis Wadsworth

In seminary we were repeatedly taught that as pastors we are to be “ministering the whole council of God.” What a monumental task. In his book, Michael Lawrence sheds considerable light on the subject—discussing both the technical aspects of doing biblical theology and their practical application.

In his preface, Lawrence suggests jumping straight to the practical portion of the book and coming back later for the technical stuff. It was sound advice. If you are the kind of person who gets a new computer and turns it on and wants to figure things out from there, then this advice will work for you as well.

Still, for me, Chapters 1 through 5 alone are worth the price of the book.

Dennis Wadsworth is pastor of Hope EFC in Fertile, Minn., and enjoys the challenge of ministering the whole council of God to his sons and wife, the local congregation, and the community. He recently purchased a new laptop that did not have a hard copy of an owner’s manual. Dennis smiled deeply.

Review by Ken Schmidt

Lawrence breaks the book into three sections. The first gives the tools needed to do biblical theology. In section two, he demonstrates how we are to read the whole story of the whole Bible through slightly different vantage points (creation, fall, love, sacrifice, promise). From each vantage point, he shows us doctrines that arise and how they shape what we are to believe and how we are to live. In the third section, he offers suggestions on applying biblical theology to various types of church ministries.

In this book, Lawrence addresses the relationship between biblical theology and systematic theology. Too often they are pitted against one another. Instead, they work together: Biblical theology is getting the whole story right, and systematic theology is applying that story to our lives.

Our church bought a copy of this book for every one of our missionaries we support. I would recommend this as a helpful resource for anyone in Word ministry.

Ken Schmidt has served as lead pastor of Manchester Creek Community Church in Rock Hill, S.C., since 2009. He loves the discipline of biblical theology, because it has been a tool to help him understand how everything in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms are fulfilled by Jesus.

Review by Jason Oesterling

This book provides the next necessary step in current biblical theology discussions: forming bridges to practical ministry. It could serve as a springboard for discussion for ministry leaders, particularly in areas like children’s ministry or counseling. (For example, does our children’s curriculum present Bible stories simply as morality tales, or does it teach children how each text ultimately points to Jesus?)

Jason Oesterling has pastored ikon church in Wadsworth, Ohio, since 2008. As a church plant with a large percentage of families with young children, ikon places a high value on biblical theology, helping families see Jesus as the hero of God’s story told in the Bible.