No problem, says G.K. Beale, the J. Gresham Machen Chair of New Testament and professor of New Testament and biblical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary:
The OT storyline appears best to be summarized as:
the historical story of God
who progressively reestablishes his new creational kingdom
out of chaos
over a sinful people
by his word and Spirit
through
- promise,
- covenant, and
- redemption,
resulting in worldwide commission to the faithful to extend that new creation rule and
resulting in judgment for the unfaithful (defeat and exile),
all of which issues into his glory;
the NT storyline can be summarized as:
Jesus’ life of covenantal
- obedience,
- trials,
- judgmental death for sinners, and
- especially resurrection by the Spirit
has launched the fulfillment of the eschatological already-and-not-yet promised new creation reign,
bestowed by grace through faith and
resulting in worldwide commission to the faithful to extend this new creation rule and
resulting in judgment for the unfaithful,
unto God’s glory.
For other (shorter!) attempts, go here.
