Authenticity

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

Many in the church today may have questions about why we need to “do” theology. What does that mean? What is the importance of doing theology? The word theology comes from the greek words theos (God) and logos (Word), which suggest the “word concerning God” or “the study of God.” Systematic or Christian Theology then, in the widest sense is simply doctrine-the doctrine(s) of the Bible set forth according to plan or order.[1] Millard Erickson puts it this way, “That discipline which strives to give a coherent statement of doctrines of the Christian faith, based primarily upon the Scriptures, and related to issues of life.”[2] Doctrines are the teachings of the scripture that are studied, categorized, and clarified to include a biblical theological framework. We participate in doing theology by studying and interpreting the propositional and narrative nature of revelation throughout the scriptures and the importance of the central doctrinal teachings of the faithful through the history of the church. Therefore, in approaching the scriptures, we are including both historical and systematic theologies.

[2] Millard Erickson, Systematic Theology, 2^nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998)., 23

Tags: categorized, Christian, Christian faith, Christian Theology, clarified, Discipline, Doctrine, God, greek, greek words, historical, Issues of Life, logos, logos (Word), meaning, meaning of Theology, studied, study, Systematic, systematic theologies, SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY, theologies, theology, theos, theos (God), word concerning God, words