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