Discussion Board 1
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ξξξξξξξξξξξ Several pastors today appear to indicate careful study in the
Scriptures is not required. This opinion is contrary to the position of the
church historically. The early Church Fathers indicated it was essential for
the pastor to be studious in sermon preparation; thus, it developed the
opportunity to establish Biblical doctrine.[1]ξAlso, for most church history,
it was the pastor, not the academic, that were the forefront theologians of
their day.ξ One formation of careful study is through ecclesial exegesis,
where the biblical βtext is read and applied by both exegetical and
dogmatic reasoning.β[2]
ξξξξξξξξξξξ It is vital for pastors today to reemerge as studious workers of
Scripture. True, there are several βresponsibilitiesβ of a pastor in the
modern sense; however, many of these responsibilities may be delegated
to others, allowing them to have responsibility within the church. The
pastorβs primary responsibilities include defending and equipping their
flock with sound doctrine (2 Tim. 3:16)[3]; protect against gainsayers who
teach unsound doctrine (1 Pet 2:1-3; 2 Tim 4:2-3); and being the example
by living the Word of God. ξ
ξξξξξξξξξξξ It is the responsibility of the pastor to prepare themselves for the
challenges that they live in. The flock will only be as ready and robust as
the shepherd that leads them. Many consider the church to be weak
because many of todayβs pastors are weak. Many pastors have a
superficial knowledge of Godβs Word. They do not know the context of the
Scripture in light of its historical meaning. They do not understand how
the Bible works as a whole because they focus on one Testament. Pastors
must study not only Scripture but also history, psychology, science, and
rhetoric. They should be able to communicate verbally, as well as through
the written word. They should be able to utilize the many resources
available today to increase their biblical knowledge and understanding
and ward off false doctrine and vain philosophies.
ξξξξξξξξξξξ The pastor also develops their skills as a pastor-scholar, making
fellow pastors aware of doctrinal errors as they creep into the churches.
Many churches are now teaching prophecy is no longer vital to know and
understand, or it is permissible for congregates to live in the world and be
like them, supposedly making them more βin tuneβ with those in the
world, yet unsaved. These and other teachings are detrimental to the
church. It weakens it. It does not give the church strength. ξThe pastorβs
first responsibility is to know and understand sound biblical teaching, thus
establishing sound biblical doctrine.ξ If the pastor-teacher fails in this
regard, they fail as a solid shepherd for the flock Christ has called them to
watch over and protect.
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Word Count 445
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ξξξξξξξξξξξξξξ[1]ξKevin J. Vanhoozer and Owen Strachan,ξThe Pastor as Public
Theologian: Reclaiming a Lost Visionξ(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing
Group, 2015), 71.
ξξξξξξξξξξξξξξ[2]ξTodd Wilson and Gerald Hiestand,ξBecoming a Pastor
Theologian: New Possibilities for Church Leadershipξ(Downers Grove, IL:
IVP Academic, 2016), 145.
ξξξξξξξξξξξξξξ[3]ξUnless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in
theξKing James Version.
