Discussion Board 1
h h h h h h h h Several pastors today appear to indicate careful study
in the Scriptures is not required. This opinion is contrary to the position
of the church historically. The early Church Fathers indicated it was
essential for the pastor to be studious in sermon preparation; thus, it
developed the opportunity to establish Biblical doctrine.[1] Also, for most
church history, it was the pastor, not the academic, that were the
forefront theologians of their day. h One formation of careful study is
through ecclesial exegesis, where the biblical “text is read and applied
by both exegetical and dogmatic reasoning.”[2]
h h h h h h h h It is vital for pastors today to reemerge as studious
workers of Scripture. True, there are several “responsibilities” of a pastor
in the modern sense; however, many of these responsibilities may be
delegated to others, allowing them to have responsibility within the
church. The pastor’s primary responsibilities include defending and
equipping their flock with sound doctrine (2 Tim. 3:16)[3]; protect against
gainsayers who teach unsound doctrine (1 Pet 2:1-3; 2 Tim 4:2-3); and
being the example by living the Word of God. h
h h h h h h h h It is the responsibility of the pastor to prepare
themselves for the challenges that they live in. The flock will only be
as ready and robust as the shepherd that leads them. Many consider
the church to be weak because many of today’s pastors are weak.
Many pastors have a superficial knowledge of God’s Word. They do not
know the context of the Scripture in light of its historical meaning.
They do not understand how the Bible works as a whole because they
focus on one Testament. Pastors must study not only Scripture but also
history, psychology, science, and rhetoric. They should be able to
communicate verbally, as well as through the written word. They should
be able to utilize the many resources available today to increase their
biblical knowledge and understanding and ward off false doctrine and
vain philosophies.
h h h h h h h h The pastor also develops their skills as a pastor-
scholar, making fellow pastors aware of doctrinal errors as they creep
into the churches. Many churches are now teaching prophecy is no
longer vital to know and understand, or it is permissible for congregates
to live in the world and be like them, supposedly making them more
“in tune” with those in the world, yet unsaved. These and other
teachings are detrimental to the church. It weakens it. It does not give
the church strength. The pastor’s first responsibility is to know and
understand sound biblical teaching, thus establishing sound biblical
doctrine. h If the pastor-teacher fails in this regard, they fail as a solid
shepherd for the flock Christ has called them to watch over and
protect.
Word Count 445
h h h h h h h h h [1] Kevin J. Vanhoozer and Owen Strachan, The
Pastor as Public Theologian: Reclaiming a Lost Vision (Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Publishing Group, 2015), 71.
h h h h h h h h h [2] Todd Wilson and Gerald Hiestand, Becoming a
Pastor Theologian: New Possibilities for Church Leadership (Downers Grove,
IL: IVP Academic, 2016), 145.
h h h h h h h h h [3] Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages
referenced are in the King James Version.
