h h It is clear that an understanding of theology, philosophy, history,
and other relevant fields is essential to be a most effective minister of
the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our theology is not fully realized if it stops
short at interpretation and illumination but fails to reach meaningful
application. While the importance of the study cannot be overstated for
the minister of the gospel, it is the public world where the great
commission of discipleship is fulfilled through the proclamation of what
Christ has done and is doing in the world (Vanhoozer and Strachan,
The Pastor, 17). If the pastor is only proficient in administrative duties
or business matters, he will hardly differ from any other man and will
have a minimal impact on both his church and his community. However,
if the pastor is to speak to the soul of His congregation regarding
spiritual things, he will necessarily need to be well-versed in both the
Scriptures and philosophy. Additionally, if the pastor is to faithfully parse
and proclaim what God is doing in the world according to His word, it
is necessary that the pastor is historically aware of the past, as well
as aware of the current cultural dealings of the present. This level of
theological and cultural understanding is essential if the pastor is to
fulfill His role fully to the glory of God.
h h h h h h h h Furthermore, being theologically informed is essential if
a pastor wishes to faithfully apply the counsel of God across all
matters of life (as he should). Unlike many fields that may specialize in
a certain aspect of that field, a pastor is asked to be a master
counselor and confidant in all matters of life (Wilson and Hiestand,
Pastor Theologian, 22). Without being theologically informed, the pastor
will find himself limited in the depth with which he is able to speak
into the lives of both his flock and his community. The pastor must be
equipped to speak regarding all matters pertaining to and affecting both
physical life and death, and spiritual life and death.
h h h h h h h h The most compelling reason to pursue being
theologically informed in ministry is the nature of the role itself. If we
concur with the Puritans, then we recognize that the most important
role of the minister is to be a physician of souls, seeking to produce
a transformed heart by the work of the Spirit (Vanhoozer and Strachan,
The Pastor, 81). The only means by which this type of transformation
will come is the word of God. The pastor must know how to apply
the rich theology of Scripture, experienced in the pastor’s everyday life,
to sinners in need of Christ.
Bibliography
Vanhoozer, Kevin J., and Owen Strachan. The Pastor as Public
Theologian: Reclaiming a Lost Vision. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic,
a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2020.
Wilson, Todd A., and Gerald Hiestand. Becoming a Pastor Theologian:
New Possibilities for Church Leadership. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity
Press, 2016.
