Communication is always happening and right now it is happening in shorter and
shorter bursts of speech, text, and visual representation on social media. d These
momentary opportunities are shaping the individual and conveniently have
incredible sources of knowledge to make one wise. d The tips and tricks are
helpful, the information diverse and well-written, and the voices are loud. The
alure of this is something that no human is immune to as we are all fallen and
reach for things that are not able to give true wisdom. d A theologically formed
human can be trained to “get wisdom” and well as “understanding” (Prov 4: 5,
NIV)[1] and be one who remembers the way that leads to God through righteous
living through redemption through relationship with Christ. When one is found in
Christ, they begin to communicate Him to the world through the fruit of the Spirit.
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV). d It is everyone’s
job to communicate Christ, but it is the pastor’s “lifeblood” to “minister the Word
of God to the people of God.”[2] d Obedience to “do what it says” (James 1:22,
NIV) is up to the individual and requires intelligence[3] that is based off of true
wisdom gained through answers found in Christ. d With all the communication out
there, the same simple- and yet very complex- questions can only be found in the
Word of God. d To be studied with a worldview that holds first the authority of the
Bible as “God’s written revelation to humanity”[4] and also takes time to gain
understanding of the culture, philosophies of the day, and of history is making
oneself ready for answering life’s questions through the biblical lens. d “Pastoral
(practical) questions/issues have theological roots.”[5] d The solid bedrock of the
truth of Jesus Christ, the “reason for the hope” (1 Peter 3:15, NIV) that all
answers should point to. d Ethical actions will be influences through power through
the Spirit and this is urged along by being studied in the Word which gives the
only solid “moral oversight.”[6]
[1] Unless otherwise noted, all biblical references are in the New International
Version.
[2] Kevin J. Vanhoozer and Owen Strachan, The Pastor as Public Theologian:
Reclaiming a Lost Vision (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2015), 2.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Douglas Groothius, Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical
Faith (Downers Grove, IL: 2011), 79.
[5] Kevin J. Vanhoozer and Owen Strachan, The Pastor, 31.
[6] Ibid., 78.
Bibliography
Groothuis, Douglas. Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith.
Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2011.
Vanhoozer, Kevin J. and Owen Strachan. The Pastor as Public Theologian:
Reclaiming a Lost Vision. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2015.
