Yesterday I enjoyed a discussion about what is a preacher and what is a theologian. Sometimes, sadly, they are very different. I know of theologians who cannot preach, worse still I know of plenty of preachers who "don't do theology." I was reminded by Al Mohler that the calling of a pastor is the calling of a faithful theologian. Mohler writes, 'Every pastor is called to be a theologian. This may come as a surprise to those pastors who see theology as an academic discipline taken during seminary rather than as an ongoing and central part of the pastoral calling. Nevertheless, the health of the church depends upon its pastors functioning as faithful theologians-teaching, preaching, defending, and applying the great doctrines of the faith.' R. Albert Mohler 'He is Not Silent' p.105
Mohler goes on to say, 'The Pastoral calling is inherently theological. Given the fact that the pastor is to be teacher of the Word of God and the teacher of the Gospel it cannot be otherwise' p.106
Mohler rightly sets this in context- theology is not the result but the means, the means to faithfulness in preaching, in mission and in discipleship. ' Being faithful to this theological task will obviously require intense and self-conscious theological thinking, study and concentration. If the church is to be marked by faithful preaching, God-honouring worship, and effective evangelism, the pastor must give concentrated attention to the theological task' p.109
I am thankful to God for Albert Mohler and theologians like him who believe in the authority of scripture and the power of God to change lives. I am thankful for my time at HTC where I encountered lecturers like him. We need to pray though that the church will love to grapple with the Word and to seek preachers who preach it and live it.
Shalom
Stephen
7 comments:
Hi Stephen,
I agree that a Pastor needs to be a theologian - but it is important to stress that he must not be just a theologian! He has to be other things too.
Hi Les,
Whatever he does he doesn't leave the theological behind. In Discipleship, in evangelism, in counselling he is first and foremost a man of the Word. A pastor doesn't have authority in his office but in his faithfulness to the Word. Like Whitefield and his Calvinism are theology should be found in all we do, like sugar in tea. I am pretty sure we are on the same page with all that.
love you bro
Stephen
'The Pastoral calling is inherently theological. Given the fact that the pastor is to be teacher of the Word of God and the teacher of the Gospel it cannot be otherwise' p.106
Stephen in my own experience it was not the study of God that has led me to be called to ministry ,firstly it was my need for God, my love of God and a calling to be a servant to Him ,this then led for the need and desire to study theology.
Not all christians have their theology sussed but are a light in Christ which is not alway found in books.
love your sis
I agree it needs to be more than the study of God. Yet the calling is to someone (actually the text says a man) who is "able to teach" to pass on what you have learn't both of these suggest rooted understanding of the faith. Of course the calling is all of God see my rebranding post.
I was reading this morning Jonathan Edwards in his distinguishing marks of a true revivial he was worried about Christians who did not have deep rooted theology but felt led by a "light inside" Edwards was concerned about this and said in a genuine revival it is not just the Spirit but also the Word that is at the centre. As you know Andrea I am not just someone who reads books but someone who loves the LORD and is seeking to serve Him and make Him known!
love
Stephen
Stephen I Know you love the Lord!! Grace Andrea
“In the Church of Jesus Christ there can and should be no non-theologians” Karl Barth
Hi bro,
That isn't true of the pulpit, the pulpit should always be occupied by someone who does theology. Stephen Bart
I am not sure if it is true of those in the pew either. As they should be able to give an answer for the hope that is in them.
God bless
Stephen
Post a Comment