Deep studies in Scripture's canonical context.
Canonical Theology is a collection of personal Bible studies by Mark Gatzen. I publish them in my own name, in the hope that they may be useful to others.
I do not present these studies as a theologian, a church authority, or the final word on any subject. I am an ordinary Christian — and, admittedly, a bit of a Bible nerd — who has spent years trying to follow the Bible carefully and patiently, under the authority of the Bible itself.
The aim is not to defend inherited tradition, but to let the Bible speak on its own terms — following its own categories, language, and storyline wherever they lead.
This site contains two kinds of studies. The foundational studies address the major basic questions: who God is, who Jesus Christ is, and who the Holy Spirit is. These studies are more extensively developed, usually with a main article, an exegesis page that works more closely through the biblical texts, and a reference page with word studies, tables, and supporting material.
There are also topical studies on specific subjects. These are also meant as serious Bible studies, but they do not always have the same three-part structure.
So these are not short summaries. They are written for readers who are willing to take time and follow a subject step by step.
If you want an easier starting point, you may begin with the shorter introductory sites: What Does the Bible Say About? in English, or Wat Zegt de Bijbel Over? in Dutch. Those pages are written as simple introductions. This site contains the deeper studies behind them.
A canonical study of who God is according to Scripture's own categories and storyline.
A canonical study of Jesus Christ as the Son, Word, image, Lord, Messiah, and divine Son of Man.
A canonical study of the Holy Spirit as Yahweh’s own living presence and personal power, the giver of life, the gift of the new covenant, and the guarantee of new creation.
A biblical-theological study of final judgment, death, destruction, and exclusion from life with God.
A biblical-theological study of baptism as a covenant sign, union with Christ, cleansing, and new creation.
A biblical-theological study of the body, covenant, marriage, sex, and faithful human relationships.