h h h h h h h I began studying theology in 2011 through a degree at
Liberty. Since that time, I have seen in my own life and through
personal reading the need for Christians to be theologically informed and
to be able to present their views to the world around them. h As the
world continues to search for morality and ethics, it is the responsibility
of each Christian to be able to publicly present the moral and ethical
baseline defined in the Bible. Vanhoozer calls this public theology
which he defines as “theology in and for the public square.”[1]
h h h h h h h h As the Christian church, we have been called out and
separated from the rest of the world. h This distinction is easy for the
world to recognize as the fruits of the Spirit are counter to the natural
reaction expected. h That is why the Apostle Peter wrote “Always be
ready to tell everyone who asks you why you believe as you do. Be
gentle as you speak and show respect” (1 Pet 3:15).[2] h As the world
searches for meaning and hope, Christians have the opportunity to share
God’s design through engaging in public theological discussions.
Early in my faith, my natural inclination was to keep my faith private. h
I did not want to conflict with the views around me, especially as I
felt ill equipped to defend what I believed in the Bible. h But, as my
faith continued to grow, my boldness to share the Gospel increased as
well. h Specifically, I remember two important events in my life where I
was able to present God’s ethics and character in a public forum. h
First, I was asked “How can God be considered good when He allows
so much evil?” h While my response wasn’t elegant, I was able to
convey God’s perfect character allowed free will to humans who have a
natural bent toward sin. h Next, an acquaintance of mine was having an
affair with his friend’s wife. h He asked me “As a Christian, why is this
a sin?” h This shocking question allowed me to present God’s design for
marriage while encouraging a response.
h h h h h h h h As church leaders, this responsibility falls immediately
upon us. Todd Wilson states “(Pastors) are the visible, tangible
presence of Christ and the church at every moment of crisis.”[3] While
all Christians must be ready to present these arguments, pastors are
expected to present thorough arguments in the public realm. h One of
the best examples of this is Paul as he spoke to the Athenians about
their “Unknown God.” In Acts 17:23 Paul says “For as I walked around
and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar
with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the
very thing you worship--and this is what I am going to proclaim to
you.” h Paul engaged with their culture and used what they believed to
present God to those willing to hear. In the same way, Christians
today have been called to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt
28:19) and to do this, must be theologically informed and prepared to
discuss God’s character and ethics each day.
[1] Kevin J Vanhoozer, The Pastor as Public Theologian: Reclaiming a
Lost Vision (Grand Rapids, Baker Academic, 2019), 17.
[2] Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the
New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011).
[3] Todd Wilson, Becoming a Pastor Theologian: New Possibilities for
Church Leadership (Downers Grove, InterVarsity Press, 2016), 21.
