Followers of Christ are supposed to be one of the most informed people in various
subjects. f 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). f This means living out God’s
word and being ready to shine and share His truth wherever they are called to
minister. f And being knowledgeable in the word of God equips one for Christian
living. f One cannot have an accurate understanding of orthopraxy and orthopathy
without a biblical orthodoxy. f 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] f 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). f His work in sanctification in Christians
is for their spiritual formation and growth into maturity. f 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. f “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] f “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for
instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Tim.
3:16).[3] f Vanhoozer and Strachan advocate a return to theology in the body of Christ
starting from the pastor. f The three publics (academy, church, and broader society)
are locations where pastors should speak about God and address its wide-range
audience simultaneously.[4] f Furthermore, in my church, the pastors preach the full
gospel and caution the congregation to be discerning of false prophets and doctrine.
They are Spirit-filled and diligently teach and equip the faith community to study and
teach God’s word. f 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. f This may be due to several reasons (money, disappointment, side-
tracked by a more glamorous career, burn-out, etc.). f Another, a lot are being
stretched thin as they try to fill in too many roles and responsibilities. f 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] f 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. f (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.
