Biblical Theology

The classic expositions of Biblical Theology are undoubtedly those by Gerhard Von Rad and Walter Eichrodt:

Old Testament Theology, Volume I: The Theology of Israel's Historical Traditions by Gerhard Von Rad	Old Testament Theology, Volume II: The Theology of Israel's Prophetic Traditions by Gerhard Von Rad
Theology of the Old Testament, Volume One by Walter Eichrodt	Theology of the Old Testament, Volume Two by Walter Eichrodt

To my mind, one of the single most compelling biblical theologians of the Hebrew Bible is Harvard Professor Jon Levenson.

Sinai and Zion: An Entry into the Jewish Bible by Jon Levenson

Creation and the Persistence of Evil: The Jewish Drama of Divine Omnipotence by Jon Levenson

The Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son: The Transformation of Child Sacrifice in Judaism and Christianity by Jon Levenson

Among similarly focused thematic or topical studies of Biblical Theology, I also highly recommend:

Texts of Terror: Literary-Feminist Readings of Biblical Narratives by Phyllis Trible

Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible by Ellen Davis

In the past twenty or thirty years, Biblical Theology has been the subject of many more thorough and comprehensive treatments in the tradition of Von Rad and Eichrodt. From an Evangelical perspective, I highly recommend:

Old Testament Theology, Volume 1: Israel's Gospel by John Goldingay

Old Testament Theology, Volume 2: Israel's Faith by John Goldingay

Old Testament Theology, Volume 3: Israel's Life by John Goldingay

For a diversity of perspective and insight, I highly recommend:

Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments: Theological Reflection on the Christian Bible by Brevard Childs

Theology of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute, Advocacy by Walter Brueggemann

The Concept of Biblical Theology: An Old Testament Perspective by James Barr

Systematic Theology

When it comes to Systematic Theology, I prefer to either keep it simple or suggest the classics. Admittedly, this preference is partly due my relative lack of familiarity with the discipline. It also owes, however, to my conviction that systematic theology is not nearly as profitable as biblical and practical theology. The emphasis on the synchronic exposition of doctrine often runs rough shod over the stories of the Bible and very quickly proceeds to metaphysical reasoning or rigid dogmatism. That being said, every Christian should know the central doctrines of the Faith. For seekers, new Christians, and beginners to theology, I highly recommend two very accessible expositions:

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense by N.T. Wright

Since the Middle Ages, perhaps no two theologians have been more influential or shown greater acumen than Thomas Aquinas and John Calvin. Their classic treatises on the Christian Faith are the quintessential Systematic Theology of the Roman Catholic and Presbyterian/Reformed Christian traditions respectively:

Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquinas

Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin

In the modern era, the Germans have dominated Systematic Theology. Although I can not claim to have even read most of his work, one of my favourites is Karl Barth. His complete Church Dogmatics is available in a fourteen volume set from Hendrickson, which is a very affordable and faithful reproduction of the original translation by Bromiley and Torrance, or a thirty-one volume set from T&T Clark, which is a revised Study Edition.

Church Dogmatics, 14 Volumes by Hendrickson

Church Dogmatics, 31 Volumes by T&T Clark

Practical Theology

Ultimately, biblical and systematic theology should inspire practical theology. I firmly believe that the Bible presents a worldview that needs to be learned, absorbed, and lived. It promotes a culture of life, the power of grace, critical and intellectual honesty, sacrifice, consolation, redemption, and love. I highly recommend two quite basic, yet profound, books that have significantly shaped my thinking:

Religionships: Counterfeits to True Relationships with God and Those Made in His Image by Peter & Paul Martial

Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale by Frederick Buechner

Since the Enlightenment, William Wilberforce and Dietrich Bonhoeffer are two Evangelical Christians that have left a profound legacy to the tradition, illustrating the way in which Christian thought should lead to action. Wilberforce was an important, critical player in the British Abolitionist movement while Bonhoeffer was a prominent German-Christian theologian and martyr who defended the Jewish community, opposed the Nazis, and ultimately was executed for complicity in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. These men led lives of remarkable piety, wedded to courageous political and social activism. Their lives are a strong argument for reading their thoughts. I highly recommend:

Real Christianity by William Wilberforce Updated version of the classic treatise	Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Perhaps the most accessible and widely read of Bonhoeffer's works
Life Together and Prayerbook of the Bible by Dietrich Bonhoeffer	Ethics by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

There are many other great works of Biblical, Systematic, and Practical Theology that will help you read and study the Bible effectively. I encourage you to check out additional recommendations at my pages devoted to Christian Theology and Christian Spirituality. I also think that a great way to explore theology is through dialogue between the Bible and movies and literature. The Bible communicates through stories more often than not and so do movies and literature. They, therefore, provide excellent analogs and subjects that are culturally relevant and easily accessible. For such dialogue, I encourage you to check out the pages devoted to Books on Movies and Christian Fiction & Fantasy. I also have a whole section of my website devoted to movies, including a sub-section entitled, Reel Bible, where you can find an essay on Christian approaches to the movies and movies on the Bible. Good theology, though, should ultimately lead to the final step of this Bible Guide, Step Seven: Putting Faith into Action.