Authenticity

Psalm 1 introduces us to the doctrine of the two ways, which is a very common concept. Most Americans are acquainted with Robert Frost’s use of the idea in the poem “The Road Not Taken.”

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference

There are examples in scripture that speak of this doctrine. The most important is the use of the idea by Jesus toward the end of the Sermon on the Mount as he contrasts, between which choices must be made: two gates and two roads, two trees and their two types of fruit, two houses and two foundations. Psalm 1 is the clearest and most carefully developed .

Tags: Divergent Ways, fruit, Path, Right Path, Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken, their two types of fruit, two foundations., two gates, two houses, two roads, two trees, Way, Ways

Pastors need to participate in theology because his entire life of ministry depends on it. Determining a clear and concise Biblical theology should be the foundation of a pastor’s ministry toward his church. If he finds himself lacking in the areas of Biblical counselling and crisis care, when theological questions which are posed to him by congregants after the service, he can easily reference his theological work to find help for his counselees. Most importantly, most pastors are thrust into a whirlwind of conflicting worldviews from the congregation he ministers to, and therefore, he must educate his flock to be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks the reason why they believe the gospel of Christ. (I Peter 3:15)

There are several reasons why I believe pastors need to study theology. The top three are the following: 1. Spiritual questions can be answered by theological and biblical principles. If spiritual questions are asked and the pastor has no answer, the flock will soon be confused by worldly philosophies and begin to stray from the truth 2. Pastoral ministry is primarily care for the flock so pastors must care for their minds and hearts as they seek to know God and live a life that is glorifying to Him. 3. It is very clear that in the New Testament, the idea that God has given us universally true doctrinal revelation that can be understood, shared, defended, and contextualized. “the faith” has been once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).We are to guard “the good deposit” entrusted to us (I Tim 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:14), and we are commanded not to be tossed to and fro by its winds (Eph 4:14).[1]

Tags: Biblical Counselling, Biblical theology, crisis care, Eph 4:14, I Peter 3:15, Jude 3, Ministry, Pastor, Pastors, Pastor’s Ministry, Worldviews