Communication is always happening and right now it is happening in shorter and
shorter bursts of speech, text, and visual representation on social media. j These
momentary opportunities are shaping the individual and conveniently have incredible
sources of knowledge to make one wise. j j The tips and tricks are helpful, the
information diverse and well-written, and the voices are loud. j 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. j 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. j “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”
(Galatians 5:22-23, NIV). j 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] j 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. j With all the communication out there, the same simple- and yet very complex-
questions can only be found in the Word of God. j 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. j “Pastoral (practical) questions/issues have theological roots.”[5] j 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. j 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.
