F. C. Baur. Applying Hegelian philosophy to the New Testament, F. C. Baur (1792–1860) saw a conflict with what he called Jewish Christianity (represented by James and Peter) and Gentile Christianity (represented by Paul). In Baur’s view, Jewish Christianity insisted that the law was permanent and still binding upon Christians (thesis), whereas Gentile Christians believed they were free from the law (antithesis). In the second century this struggle between the thesis and antithesis resulted in a synthesis in the writings of the early church (Schreiner, New Testament Theology, 872). Instead of searching the Scriptures for timeless truths, Baur sought to trace the historical development of Christianity. Baur’s contribution to biblical theology was profound, emphasizing the diversity of Scripture and its historical nature.

One of the negative effects of Baur’s influence was that scholars no longer wrote whole biblical theologies. Rather, the theologies of the Old Testament and New Testament were detached from one another. This development was logical, for scholars “will scarcely attempt to write a theology of the whole Bible if the documents do not present a coherent message at least at some level” (Schreiner, New Testament Theology, 873). By the latter part of the nineteenth century, biblical theologies were no longer popular. Instead, scholars such as William Wrede and Wilhelm Bousset opted for a “history of religion” approach (Heilsgeschichte) to studying the New Testament.