The Apocalypse Tapestry is a medieval work of art that tells the story of the book of Revelation, originally in 90 scenes stretching over 140 meters. As a woven tapestry (in contrast to the iconic Bayeux Tapestry, which uses embroidery to depict the Norman Conquest), the six sections of this textile masterpiece tells the story by layering different colored threads at various points of the continuous cloth.

The detail of the images is impressive when examined up close. When viewed from a few steps back, the cumulative effect of the woven panels is breathtaking. Even digital images of the centuries-old tapestry are impressive.

Scripture is like a tapestry. Each passage has striking details that interconnect with other passages and highlight God’s glory and goodness. When you follow themes through Scripture’s narrative, it becomes clear that, though there are many human authors, one God inspires the entire pattern. The whole Bible, viewed from a distance, combines all those threads in a jaw-dropping splendor that can’t be completely understood in one human lifetime. Biblical theology is intended to help us see and appreciate the tapestry of Scripture.

Here are six recent resources about biblical theology that will help Christians appreciate both the individual threads and the big picture of God’s Word.

1. Stephen O. Presley, Biblical Theology in the Life of the Early Church: Recovering an Ancient Vision (Baker Academic) (Amazon | TGC Store)

Presley has been exploring the early church’s ecclesial life for years. His Cultural Sanctification (Award of Distinction in TGC’s 2024 Book Awards) looks at the way the early church engaged culture. Biblical Theology in the Life of the Early Church (Winner in TGC’s 2025 Book Awards) examines the way the shape of the early church’s community life was defined by biblical theology. These arguments are increasingly important because, as journalist Ferdinand Mount argues, Western culture is reverting to its pre-Christian roots.

As we seek to renew and unify the contemporary church in the ancient gospel, the tools the early church used to build community and maintain its doctrinal integrity will become increasingly useful. Presley’s latest book is a powerful apologetic for a deepened emphasis on biblical theology—not just in the academy but also in the local church.

2. Alex Duke, Nomad: A Short Story of Our Long Journey Home (New Growth) (Amazon)

As attention spans have waned due to the prevalence of digital devices, it’s sometimes hard to find books that are both concise and content-rich to get people reading. Duke’s Nomad presents an overview of the whole Bible in less than 100 pages.

It’s obviously not as in-depth as his excellent survey of Genesis, From Eden to Egypt, but Nomad is the sort of volume that a youth ministry or beginning discipleship group could use to give an overview of Scripture’s narrative arc. In this hop, skip, and jump through all 66 canonical books, Duke demonstrates that the Bible is one story with multiple authors over the course of centuries.

3. Andrew Wilson, Gospel Stories: How the Greatest Story Is Richer, Deeper, and More Wonderful than We Think (10Publishing) (Amazon | TGC Store)

Wilson has been involved in two of my favorite volumes on biblical theology. His Echoes of Exodus, cowritten with Alastair Roberts, remains one of the most accessible surveys of the theme of redemption across the whole canon. A few years ago, I used Wilson’s God of All Things as a supporting text for an adult Sunday school class, where we learned to look for types and images throughout Scripture. People are still talking about what we learned from that book.

In Gospel Stories, Wilson outlines a biblical theology of, well, the gospel. He walks through every section of Scripture to show how God’s plan has always been to redeem, restore, and reconcile all things to himself through Christ. The brilliant prose and vivid illustrations make this a useful resource for discipleship as well as a gold mine for pastors and teachers looking for ways to make their lessons more concrete.

4. Donnie Berry, The Earth Will Be Filled: A Biblical Theology of the Glory of God (IVP Academic) (Amazon)

Scripture’s richness is on full display when we follow one theme all the way from Genesis to Revelation. That’s what Berry does with the glory of God in this volume. He reminds us that God created everything for his own glory, that humanity is to do all they do for God’s glory, and that ultimately God will restore all of creation for his glory.

When the many passages that talk about God’s glory in creation are stacked up, as in this volume, that thread in the tapestry of the canon becomes obvious. The Earth Will Be Filled is the latest in the Essential Studies in Biblical Theology series, which makes biblical theology accessible to the church.

5. Mitchell L. Chase, Good News for All the Earth: Understanding the Story of the New Testament (10Publishing) (Amazon | TGC Store)

I’m always on the lookout for helpful discipleship resources. Good News for All the Earth tells the story of the whole New Testament in about 150 pages.

From Christ’s birth to the new heavens and new earth, Chase’s survey can help both new and seasoned believers get a bird’s-eye view of the 27 books written since Christ’s resurrection. There’s an understandably heavy emphasis on the Gospels, yet Chase aptly explains Acts, the epistles, and Revelation.

This book, along with Chase’s Hope for All the Earth, which tells the story of the whole Old Testament, is an excellent tool for discipling teens or recent converts.

6. Alan J. Thompson, A Basic Guide to Biblical Theology: Nine Themes That Unite the Old and New Testaments (Baker Academic) (Amazon | TGC Store)

Everyone is invited to the feast of Scripture. That’s one of the central tenets of the Protestant Reformation. Thompson’s A Basic Guide to Biblical Theology is an elementary how-to for biblical theology for those who’ve been blessed by the way a pastor or scholar has presented the beauty of Scripture and want to learn to see it on their own.

Though the book is from an academic press, its prose is accessible. This would make an excellent core text for a small group study of potential ministry leaders or pastoral candidates. Thompson balances specific examples with basic guidelines along the nine key biblical themes. The result is a book that will benefit both experienced expositors and intermediate students of Scripture.

News Source : https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/editors-pick-biblical-theology-2025/