A central concern of the Biblical Theology Movement was fragmentation. This presentation surveys accounts from the past decades on both implicit and explicit interactions with unity and diversity within the canon, and their effects on theology and Christianity. It argues for a revived effort in theology in general to retrieve the gospel as its guiding principle, starting with a renewed explication of what this gospel contains in biblical theology and what it must mean in contemporary theology.
Particular emphasis is given to (1) movements that stand in the tradition of the Biblical Theology Movement (e.g., Postliberal Theology, Theological Interpretation of Scripture, Biblical Narrative Theology) and (2) influential introductions to the New Testament. The presentation seeks (3) guidance from more particular accounts from the past decades, such as those by Peter Stuhlmacher and Wilhelm Thüsing.
Overall, there seems to be an understanding of theological method in the narrow sense, which includes reference to certain sources, adherence to certain principles, etc. Yet there also seems to be an understanding of theological method in the broad sense, which centers on adherence to a certain framework, a certain pattern, etc. The study suggests that there are limits within theological methods in the narrow sense, but that there is a need for highlighting theological method in the broad sense.