Followers of Christ are supposed to be one of the most informed people in
various subjects. e As a royal priesthood, pastors and members of the body of
Christ are called to be the salt and light of the world (Mt. 5:13-16). e This means
living out God’s word and being ready to shine and share His truth wherever they
are called to minister. e And being knowledgeable in the word of God equips one
for Christian living. e One cannot have an accurate understanding of orthopraxy and
orthopathy without a biblical orthodoxy. e Dr. Fred Smith says that the practice of
ethical obligations to one another in love and mutual accountability can only be
done in community within the local church based on the word of God.[1] As one
of the spiritual disciplines, a consistent study of Scripture enriches every believer
as the Holy Spirit guides one to all truth (Jn. 16:13). e His work in sanctification in
Christians is for their spiritual formation and growth into maturity. e As one grows
in their faith, so should their knowledge of theology, history, and philosophy grow
in order to communicate Scripture in addressing a wide range of real-life
scenarios with hopes of pointing people to God. e “Public theologians help people
understand the world in which they live and, what is more important, how to
follow Christ in everyday as well as extraordinary situations.”[2] e “All Scripture is
God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for
training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16).[3] e Vanhoozer and Strachan advocate a
return to theology in the body of Christ starting from the pastor. e The three publics
(academy, church, and broader society) are locations where pastors should speak
about God and address its wide-range audience simultaneously.[4] e Furthermore,
in my church, the pastors preach the full gospel and caution the congregation to
be discerning of false prophets and doctrine. e They are Spirit-filled and diligently
teach and equip the faith community to study and teach God’s word. e But I have
known a few other pastors whose passion for preaching has dwindled as
reflected in their decline of commitment and enthusiasm for the church. e This may
be due to several reasons (money, disappointment, side-tracked by a more
glamorous career, burn-out, etc.). e Another, a lot are being stretched thin as they
try to fill in too many roles and responsibilities. e Peter Leithart determines the
missing element of biblical studies which is a “serious literary and theological
study of the Bible that arises from the church and is written for the church.”[5] e
Perhaps redefining the pastor’s primary office and the church’s role as having
shared responsibility as intellectual theologians in a royal priesthood will
reenergize their focus in working together towards God’s commission and building
the people of God. (Word count: 536)
[1] Fred Smith, “Dimensions of Christian Ethics,” Liberty University (n.d.), Video
13:31,
https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/2167581/ui
conf_id/39959791/entry_id/1_px47gp7p/embed/dynamic (Accessed May 18,
2021).
[2] Kevin J. Vanhoozer and Owen Strachan, The Pastor as Publican Theologian:
Reclaiming a Lost Vision (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2015): 23.
[3] Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture references are in the Berean Study Bible.
[4] Vanhoozer and Strachan, The Pastor as Publican Theologian, 4.
[5] Peter J. Leithart, Becoming a Pastor Theologian: New Possibilities for Church
Leadership, eds. Todd Wilson and Gerald Hiestand (Downers Grove: InterVarsity
Press, 2016): 10.
