Word Count: 572
I began studying theology in 2011 through a degree at Liberty.
Since that time, I have seen in my own life and through personal reading
the need for Christians to be theologically informed and to be able to
present their views to the world around them. As the world continues to
search for morality and ethics, it is the responsibility of each Christian to
be able to publicly present the moral and ethical baseline defined in the
Bible. Vanhoozer calls this public theology which he defines as “theology
in and for the public square.”[1]
As the Christian church, we have been called out and separated
from the rest of the world. This distinction is easy for the world to
recognize as the fruits of the Spirit are counter to the natural reaction
expected. That is why the Apostle Peter wrote “Always be ready to tell
everyone who asks you why you believe as you do. Be gentle as you
speak and show respect” (1 Pet 3:15).[2] As the world searches for
meaning and hope, Christians have the opportunity to share God’s design
through engaging in public theological discussions.
Early in my faith, my natural inclination was to keep my faith private. I
did not want to conflict with the views around me, especially as I felt ill
equipped to defend what I believed in the Bible. But, as my faith
continued to grow, my boldness to share the Gospel increased as well.
Specifically, I remember two important events in my life where I was able
to present God’s ethics and character in a public forum. First, I was asked
“How can God be considered good when He allows so much evil?” While
my response wasn’t elegant, I was able to convey God’s perfect character
allowed free will to humans who have a natural bent toward sin. Next, an
acquaintance of mine was having an affair with his friend’s wife. He asked
me “As a Christian, why is this a sin?” This shocking question allowed me
to present God’s design for marriage while encouraging a response.
As church leaders, this responsibility falls immediately upon us.
Todd Wilson states “(Pastors) are the visible, tangible presence of Christ
and the church at every moment of crisis.”[3]While all Christians must be
ready to present these arguments, pastors are expected to present
thorough arguments in the public realm. One of the best examples of this
is Paul as he spoke to the Athenians about their “Unknown God.” In Acts
17:23 Paul says “For as I walked around and looked carefully at your
objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an
unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship--and this
is what I am going to proclaim to you.” Paul engaged with their culture
and used what they believed to present God to those willing to hear. In
the same way, Christians today have been called to “go and make
disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19) and to do this, must be theologically
informed and prepared to discuss God’s character and ethics each day.
[1]Kevin J Vanhoozer,The Pastor as Public Theologian: Reclaiming a Lost
Vision(Grand Rapids, Baker Academic, 2019), 17.
[2]Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New
International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011).
[3]Todd Wilson,Becoming a Pastor Theologian: New Possibilities for
Church Leadership(Downers Grove, InterVarsity Press, 2016), 21.
