Discussion Board 1
While I cannot speak for most pastors, I do believe the statement in this
module’s discussion board that “Some Christians and ministers do not feel it is
important to be informed or studied in scripture, philosophy, history, etc.” This
lack of importance seems to be a result of ministry becoming a profession that
needs to cater to public opinion in order to thrive. Kevin Vanhoozer states, “Too
many pastors have exchanged their vocational birthright for a bowl of lentil
stew (Gen. 25:29–34; Heb. 12:16): management skills, strategic plans,
“leadership” courses, therapeutic techniques, and so forth.”[1] Vanhoozer adds,
“What causes pastors to sink—or rather, to shrink from the theological task—are
the waves of public sentiment and winds of public opinion that act as
obstacles and temptations, hindering progress toward their vocation of bringing
others to maturity in Christ (cf. Eph. 4:14).”[2] By pandering to the pressures of
cancel culture that we see today, the gospel becomes a watered-down version
of the Christian faith.
c c c c c c c c c For Pastors and Christians alike, the importance of being informed in
biblical teachings, philosophy, and church history has never been more
important than in the days we live. Paul writes to Timothy, “Preach the word;
be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with
great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will
not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will
gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears
want to hear” (2 Tim. 4:2-3).[3] This time is now, and pastors must not lose the
vision but preach the truths found in Scripture that bring hope and allow the
hearer to gain life.
c c c c c c c c c Furthermore, pastors and Christians are called to speak into the
things of our culture. The Bible should be our primary source for all things
ethical. In the course video, Dr. Fred Smith states, “The Bible is recognized as
the final authority on all matters.”[4] Therefore, while public pressures may be
focused on the approval of abortion, same-sex marriage, and gender identity,
pastors must speak God’s truth in love. Without the foundational truths found in
God’s word spoken, not only to congregations but the public, non-believers and
those who proclaim belief, will drift further and further from God. Smith states,
“It [Christian Ethics] supports our call to the world to repentance.”[5] May I
continue to carry the fire that faithful pastors before me have carried.
[1] Kevin Vanhoozer and Owen Strachan, The Pastor as Public Theologian:
Reclaiming a Lost Vision, (Grand Rapids: Baker Academics, 2015), 1.
[2] Ibid., 2.
[3] Unless otherwise stated all Scripture is from The New International Version.
[4] Jeff Smith, Course Video: Dimensions of Christian Ethics, (Liberty University,
2021).
