Ben Blackwell on “What makes a good Biblical Scholar or Theologian?”

We are part of a common guild, so to be a good scholar in this sense is to be committed to the content of the guild but also the community of the guild.

Regarding the content, every scholar brings their individual strengths to the mix so it would be hard to pin down a distinct feature. For example, some do well with analysis, others do well with synthesis, and both approaches provide a service to the academic community. Methods come and go, but the skill and discipline of giving close readings of texts will always be valued in biblical and theological studies.

Regarding the community, now that I’m entering my mid-career phase, I also appreciate much more the committed, mutual support of other scholars, whether this is formal or informal feedback, contributing to projects, or just the advice for various aspects of life.

~Benjamin Blackwell, Assistant Professor of Theology, Houston Baptist University

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Tavis Bohlinger

Dr. Tavis Bohlinger is Editor-in-Chief of the Logos Academic Blog and Creative Director at Reformation Heritage Books. He holds a PhD from Durham University and writes across multiple genres, including academia, poetry, and screenwriting. He lives in Grand Rapids with his wife and three children.

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1 comment
  • Hi Ben
    For clarity, what is the guild you refer to. A guild of scholars… A guild of Christians ..A guild of scholars within a specific Confessional grouping.

    Without clearly understanding your context I assume that you mean scholars that respect each other from various different denominational context searching and studying in earnest together for the purpose of growing the knowledge, understanding of the Bible and God of faith community as a whole. If that is the case I agree whole heartedly with you.

    Unfortunately, and sadly so, this is not my perception of the general scholarly guild. The respect portion is not always prevalent when conflicting ideas or new discoveries hit the floor. But as we are talking about a Good Scholar or Theologian then what you illustrate is one of the traits such a Good Scholar should have. The debates between NT Wright and Dominic Crosson serves as another example to us all. If this type of interaction can happen in the dark rooms of study and investigation, we will all be able to grow even if we have different perspectives. We all need to realise our greatest strength lies within our differences. I am by no means a Good scholar but merely an “armchair theologian” that find that I have little engagement with scholars on a face to face basis. Logos and Faithlife has provided me access to the minds of many dedicated scholars through their written monographs and blogs like this. And, like you, I feel this sense of being part of this guild with me sharing too little from my end. Hence me utilising this forum to engage in this meeting of minds. I thank you for your valuable submission.

Written by Tavis Bohlinger
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