Christ-Centered Biblical Theology: Hermeneutical Foundations and Principles

Though Goldsworthy's book sounds like it would be spot on, his hermeneutic seems forced. Goldsworthy admittedly begins with a presupposition that it is Christ that unifies the Old and New Testament. Goldsworthy calls Christ "the center" that unites the two testaments. Though most evangelicals would agree that the Messiah is found in both testaments, Goldsworthy seems to go to far in forcing nearly everything in the Old Testament to be about Christ. He also seems to think that the coming of Jesus the Messiah fulfills ALL OT prophecy. This reading spiritualizes away the promises to Israel in the OT, claiming they are "fulfilled" in Christ. Though Jesus certainly fulfilled the Messianic claims in the OT, He nowhere claims to have fulfilled all prophecy. Though I wish it were easy to find a unifying center to both testaments, maybe they read more like a stained glass window than we would like to admit?

Amazing book! Some people believe that christ has a bride (jews) and a mistress (the church) and that he loves the jews more but loves the church less... This book will show us how depraved we really are for thinking Jesus has two lovers and is racist. "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke 24:27

This book surprised me many times. I found myself saying how did I not see that before. (the exodus pattern - is one example) I wondered what biblical theology was and this book answers the question in clear and concise answers. It brings a logic that most Pastor's don't have the time or maybe the ability to develop in regards on how the Bible should viewed as a whole. Employing the techniques talked about in this book will give the Holy Spirit many more opportunities to show you great and wonderful things. This is not light reading. Be prepared to be challenged.

Goldsworthy's explanation of biblical theology goes a long way toward explaining the field. All theologians think their theology is biblical, but this book explains how a biblical theology is different and presents a particular biblical theology as well. The explanation of continuity between the New and Old Testaments is insightful. The author starts with the Gospel and looks back through the OT to show how prophesy and history make sense in light of the person of Jesus Christ.

As a strong believer in the place of Jesus in providing cohesive, meaningful understanding to Scripture, I have found this book to be very useful. The way Goldseworthy anchors the biblical narrative to a Christ-centric foundation is academically sound, hermeneutically astute, and readily attainable to all serious readers. I hope the author plans to further develop the theological implications of this book. Nevertheless, the present work certainly provides the necessary tools for self-discovery.

Great read and insanely helpful for leading a bible study.

I found Goldsworthy a bit dry at times but the content is fantastic. Everyone needs to read something by him to catch a glimpse of the scale of Biblical theology.

Great way to understand Scripture is to interpret it through the person and work of Christ.