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The Bible is a complex collection of stories that communicate one massive story. What’s the story? God will rescue sinful people—and creation—through Jesus’ death and resurrection. I believe THAT is the massive thread that runs red throughout the Bible. It’s the reason why we should read the Bible through a redemptive lens. It’s not the only thread though.

We’re not necessarily interested in trying to define the goal or conclusion about a particular topic or theme with biblical theology. Take the holiness of God, for example. A systematic treatment of holiness would result in a definition of sorts. Biblical theology though is interested in watching how a particular theme or topic develops throughout the Bible. These different threads oftentimes help support the main thread. What would it look like to see God’s holiness throughout the Bible? Let’s look at a very short sample of passages that reveal our Holy God:

  • Exodus 3: There’s some debate as to whether or not Exodus 3 or Exodus 15 is the first explicit callout to God’s holiness. I favor Exodus 3 because of what holiness does in the scene. Holiness keeps God at a distance from Moses, and the whole scene of the burning bush invokes awe and reverence.[1]

  • Leviticus 16: To live coram deo—before the face of God—is to live in light of God’s presence. And God’s holiness impacts how his people live. The Day of Atonement serves as a reminder that sin has cataclysmic, bloody consequences—and God cuts a path through human sin to himself as an act of grace. God is both holy in character and merciful in relationship with his people.[2]

  • Isaiah 6: It’s not just a matter of God being different from humans. Isaiah catches a vision of YHWH exalted above all things. And things present respond to the majestic holiness of God. The angels do.[3] The temple shakes. Even Isaiah can’t help but be a participant.[4]

  • Mark 1: We see both holiness and accessibility wrapped in human flesh through the Gospels. Jesus the Son is holy like his Father is holy. His holiness though does not prevent or warn others from approaching. Instead, Jesus maintains his holiness while moving forward towards people. Jesus displays approachable holiness by obeying the Father’s desire while remaining compassionate to the spiritually lost and oppressed.[5]

We want to be careful not to make themes connect where they don’t belong. If a theme repeats itself though, it’s worth following the line throughout the Bible to see what’s at the end of it! And you can discover a biblical theology of so many things throughout the Bible by tracing it through to the end. And by letting the Bible interpret itself! When you do, you’ll be surprised by how many of these themes end up connecting back to the main point—Jesus, the Rescuer.

Start by keeping a journal or opening a Word document on your computer. And make brief notes about any time you notice something about…well…anything! Anything that sticks out to you! For me, I’m following a thread I noticed in Genesis 31. Laban and Jacob construct a stone heap, and it will serve as a “witness” for a covenant they made together. And now it’s become a fun project for me to see how the earth remembers and responds to sin and the glory of God throughout the Old and New Testaments!

Keep going! You can do this!

Want helpful sources? Here are a couple that I can strongly recommend. Read or listen critically, and enjoy!

For more blog posts from Pastor Tim, check out The Bitz Blitz