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.
h h h h h h h h 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.
h h h h h h h h 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.
