Followers of Christ are supposed to be one of the most informed
people in various subjects. h 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). h This means living out God’s word and being
ready to shine and share His truth wherever they are called to minister.
And being knowledgeable in the word of God equips one for Christian
living. h One cannot have an accurate understanding of orthopraxy and
orthopathy without a biblical orthodoxy. h 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] 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). h His work in sanctification in
Christians is for their spiritual formation and growth into maturity. h 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. h
“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] “All Scripture is God-breathed and is
useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in
righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16).[3] Vanhoozer and Strachan advocate a
return to theology in the body of Christ starting from the pastor. The
three publics (academy, church, and broader society) are locations where
pastors should speak about God and address its wide-range audience
simultaneously.[4] h Furthermore, in my church, the pastors preach the full
gospel and caution the congregation to be discerning of false prophets
and doctrine. h They are Spirit-filled and diligently teach and equip the
faith community to study and teach God’s word. h 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.
This may be due to several reasons (money, disappointment, side-
tracked by a more glamorous career, burn-out, etc.). h Another, a lot are
being stretched thin as they try to fill in too many roles and
responsibilities. h 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] 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. h (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.
[5] Peter J. Leithart, Becoming a Pastor Theologian: New Possibilities for
Church Leadership, eds. Todd Wilson and Gerald Hiestand (Downers
Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2016): 10.
