Tracing God's Story: An Introduction to Biblical Theology

By Jon Nielson

... Show All

An Accessible Guide to Biblical Theology by Pastor Jon Nielson

The Bible is comprised of 66 distinct books by 40 different authors—yet it tells one story. How do the events from the beginning of creation to the foundation of the church weave into one cohesive narrative? Through the study of biblical theology, we can gain a better understanding of how the Bible presents a clear and consistent storyline of the creator God and his redemptive work in the world.

Part of the Theology Basics series, Tracing God’s Story makes biblical theology clear, meaningful, and practical for those looking for a highly accessible guide to studying God’s word. Author and pastor Jon Nielson covers a wide range of stories from Genesis to Revelation, offering a big-picture application, verse-by-verse analysis, and a suggested memory verse for each Scripture passage. Ultimately readers will be encouraged to passionately study God’s great story until the day they join in the final chapter. 

  • Clear Language and Easy-to-Follow Methods: Ideal for new Christians, students, or anyone wanting a highly accessible guide to biblical theology; perfect for individual or group study
  • Applicable: Each Scripture passage is accompanied by a big-picture application, verse-by-verse analysis, and a suggested memory verse 
  • Part of the Theology Basics Series: A collection of books and study guides to introduce students to systematic theology, biblical theology, and biblical interpretation 
  • Companion Workbook and Video Series Sold Separately: Invites further interaction with the text to integrate study with application

Read Chapter 1


Author:

Jon Nielson

Jon Nielson (DMin, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) serves as the senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church of Wheaton in Wheaton, Illinois. He is coeditor of the book Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry and author of the Theology Basics series. He and his wife, Jeanne, have four children.

Product Details

Category: Theology
Christian Living
Biblical Studies
Format: Printed Caseside
Page Count: 384
Size: 5.5 in x 8.5 in
Weight: 23.17 ounces
ISBN-10: 1-4335-8738-6
ISBN-13: 978-1-4335-8738-2
ISBN-UPC: 9781433587382
Case Quantity: 20
Published: August 13, 2024

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: What Is Biblical Theology?

Part 1: The Old Testament
Chapter 2: God’s Creation and a Crisis: Part 1
Chapter 3: God’s Creation and a Crisis: Part 2
Chapter 4: God’s Promise of a People: Part 1
Chapter 5: God’s Promise of a People: Part 2
Chapter 6: God’s People Grow: Part 1
Chapter 7: God’s People Grow: Part 2
Chapter 8: God’s Kingdom—Rise and Fall: Part 1
Chapter 9: God’s Kingdom—Rise and Fall: Part 2
Chapter 10: God’s People—Captive and Coming Home: Part 1
Chapter 11: God’s People—Captive and Coming Home: Part 2

Intermission: Between the Old and New Testaments

Part 2: The New Testament
Chapter 12: God’s Salvation
Chapter 13: God’s Church: Part 1
Chapter 14: God’s Church: Part 2
Chapter 15: God’s Eternity: Part 1
Chapter 16: God’s Eternity: Part 2

Conclusion
General Index
Scripture Index

Endorsements

“How I wish I had grasped biblical theology long before I began to learn about it in my forties! What Jon Nielson has written in Tracing God’s Story is a concise account of the story the divine author has written in Scripture. While this book is economical with words, it is generous with insight. It presents the story simply but not simplistically. I look forward to recommending it to those who long to have a more solid grip on the Bible’s storyline.”
Nancy Guthrie, teacher, Biblical Theology Workshop for Women

“I am so grateful for the work of Jon Nielson. He continues to provide the church with outstanding material for the study of the Bible and theology. One of the things that makes Nielson’s work rather distinctive is how well he makes the study of the Bible and theology accessible to a wide audience. In Tracing God’s Story, Nielson does for biblical theology what he did for systematic theology in his excellent Knowing God’s Truth. Beginning with creation, he traces God’s acts of redemption all the way through to the consummation of the age. Along the way, he invites the reader to engage with the material devotionally. I am excited to get this book into the hands of members of the church I serve.”
Todd Pruitt, Pastor, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Harrisonburg, Virginia; Cohost, Mortification of Spin

“As in a novel, you can’t just dip into a page of the Bible and get the gist. Through all the diverse writings, what’s the through line? This is an outstanding and accessible introduction to the plot that keeps biblical history moving from Genesis to Revelation. I highly recommend this book.”
Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California

“In Tracing God’s Story, Jon Nielson takes us on a gallop through the pages of Scripture to show us how the whole grand story of redemption fits together. Neither too shallow nor too deep, this book is written at the perfect level for lay leaders in the church seeking to gain a better understanding of God’s covenant faithfulness to his people across the ages.”
Chris Polski, Pastor, Trinity Church Kirkwood, Missouri; Visiting Instructor in Applied Theology, Covenant Theological Seminary; and his wife, Katie Polski, Director of Music Ministries, Trinity Church Kirkwood; author; speaker

“In Tracing God’s Story, Jon Nielson presents a clear, coherent, and compelling account of the metanarrative of redemptive history, skillfully weaving the threads of God’s own character with his acts of creation and providence into a tapestry of biblical theology. Not only does he provide the appropriate historical, literary, and redemptive contexts, but he also supplies the reader with cogent and salient application. I'm excited to use this resource in my church for many years to come!”
Brian Cosby, Senior Pastor, Wayside Presbyterian Church, Signal Mountain, Tennessee; Adjunct Professor of Historical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Atlanta

“Understanding the great thematic threads woven throughout the pages of Scripture, accompanied with a view of the overarching grand story, grants Bible readers deeper delight in God’s work and person. Jon Nielson has provided a resource that helps Bible readers do this very thing! Tracing God’s Story, like Nielson’s first volume in the Theology Basics series, is clear and simple without being simplistic. My family greatly benefited from the first volume, and I can’t wait to put this second volume into the hands of my teenagers.”
Jason Helopoulos, Senior Pastor, University Reformed Church, East Lansing, Michigan; author, Covenantal Baptism; The New Pastor’s Handbook; and The Promise

“One of the biggest challenges believers find in accessing and reading Scripture is understanding its narrative and cohesion as one unified story. Jon Nielson provides a clear, simple, and thorough overview of the story of Scripture that will make the Bible more accessible and meaningful to believers of any age. A very worthwhile and valuable resource.”
Cameron Cole, Founding Chairman, Rooted Ministry; author, Therefore I Have Hope and Heavenward

“In Tracing God’s Story, Jon Nielson helps Christians read their Bible cover to cover, with Jesus as the cohesive center. Nielson’s work is clearly supported by the best of biblical scholarship, but his writing is accessible to anyone. This book succeeds as an introductory biblical theology volume that not only informs but also inspires. If you are looking for an accessible volume on biblical theology that will get you into the word—while getting the word into you—look no further than Tracing God’s Story.”
Trent Casto, Senior Pastor, Covenant Church of Naples, Florida; author, 2 Corinthians (Reformed Expository Commentary Series)

“What Jon Nielson has written in Tracing God’s Story is a concise account of the story the divine author has written in Scripture. While this book is economical with words, it is generous with insight. It presents the story simply but not simplistically. I look forward to recommending it to those who long to have a more solid grip on the Bible’s storyline.”

Nancy Guthrie

teacher, Biblical Theology Workshop for Women