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