Dear brother Tom,

I believe that the "Threshold" or www.monergism.com will be a great help to you. I would encourage you to take a look at both these links.

Systematic Theology

and Biblical Theology

For more info on "the father" of Biblical Theology you might want to check out biblicaltheology.org

Richard L. Pratt has a couple of video series that look interesting that are focused on biblical and covenantal theology of the Old Testament. He Gave us Prophets and Kingdom, Covenants and Canon of the OT.

For a layman such as myself, the basic difference between these two branches of theology lay in their function. Systematic Theology for me is an organized layout of biblical doctrine that I can quickly goto and find what doctrinal topic that I need to read about. Even though it has been suggested and recommended here on this forum to read through a systematic, fore myself I use it mostly as a study tool. Although It certainly is very readable from cover to cover. But it is as it's name suggests a systematic way of presenting biblical truth. If you want to look at some books about systematic theology go here. Systematic Theology Books.

Now as far as Biblical Theology for me, it's focus is on the redemptive history of the Bible. It starts with Genesis and goes through the Old Testament and then the NT and explains and presents Christ. It is very Christ centered or Christocentric. I strongly recommend to everyone to consider reading According to Plan The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible. An introduction to Biblical Theology by Graeme Goldsworthy. This is a very readable book and in my opinion keeps you captivated throughout it's entirety. If after reading this book that you find yourself becoming very interested in Biblical Theology, I would recommend getting Biblical Theology by Geerhardus Vos. But just as a warning to all the laity out there, this is a tough one. I'm still struggling through it. Vos was a genius along with Van Til and their writing is intense. But edifying. You can check out more Biblical Theology books here. Biblical Theology Books.

When I first started to get interested in the bible, my first step was to start attending a weekly bible study. Unfortunately for myself the two main elders who conducted the bible study were Arminian and Charismatic. They had much zeal for the Lord though and I still remain good friends with both of them. I attended that weekly bible study for almost two years. We went through allot of the New Testament. But through it all, there were too many questions that were being left unanswered for me. When I asked them for extra-biblical aid they would just tell me that the Bible was where my focus should be on. That it takes a very long time for people to understand the bible so that what I was experiencing wasn't anything strange or new. But after awhile I started to see weaknesses in their theology and doctrine. I started to recognize that what was being preached by them wasn't making much sense in light of the Scripture we were studying. The church I attended didn't have any idea about reformed teaching. So after much searching on my own I was able to educate myself in the reformed faith. As I started to read and explore Biblical and Systematic theology a whole new truth was revealed to me that started to connect the pieces. I finally started really feel comfortable with the whole of Scripture. It's message too me started to become less confusing and my faith started to become much more stronger. Biblical Theology for me turns the whole Bible into God's redemptive plan and plants me firm at the foot of the Cross. Christ becomes the focus through and through and it's a beautiful, beautiful thing.

I hope this all helps.

Y.B.I.C,

Dave.

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. - Galatians 2:16