Becoming a Pastor Theologian: New Possibilities for Church Leadership (Center for Pastor Theologians Series)

The Center for Pastor Theologians (CPT) seeks to overcome the bifurcation that has developed between the roles of pastor and theologian. Based on the first CPT conference in 2015, this volume brings together the reflections of church leaders and academic theologians to consider how these roles might be reconnected once again. The Roles Of Pastor And Theologian Have Gone Their Separate Ways.throughout Much Of The Church's History, These Two Roles Have Been Deeply Intertwined, But In Our Contemporary Setting, A Troubling Bifurcation Between Them Has Developed. The Result Has Been A Theologically Weakened Church And An Ecclesially Weakened Theology. The Center For Pastor Theologians (cpt) Seeks To Overcome This Divide By Assisting Pastors In The Study And Production Of Biblical And Theological Scholarship For The Theological Renewal Of The Church And The Ecclesial Renewal Of Theology. Based On The First Cpt Conference In 2015, This Volume Brings Together The Reflections Of Church Leaders And Academic Theologians To Consider How Pastoral Ministry And Theological Scholarship Might Be Reconnected Once Again.-back Of The Book. Part 1. The Identities Of The Pastor Theologian. The Pastor Theologian As Biblical Theologian: From The Church For The Church / Peter J. Leithart -- The Pastor Theologian As Political Theologian: Ministry Amidst The Earthly City / James K.a. Smith -- The Pastor Theologian As Public Theologian / Kevin J. Vanhoozer -- The Pastor Theologian As Ecclesial Theologian / Gerald Hiestand -- The Pastor Theologian As Cruciform Theologian / Todd Wilson -- Part 2. The Pastor Theologian In Historical Perspective. Pastoral And Theological Leadership In Calvin's Genevan / Scott M. Manetsch -- Thomas Boston As Pastor Theologian / Philip Graham Ryken -- The Pastor Theologian As Mentor: The Legacy Of John Henry Newman / Chris Castaldo -- The Ecclesial Theology Of Dietrich Bonhoeffer / Joel D. Lawrence -- Part 3. The Pastor Theologian And The Bible. The Pastor Theologian And The Interpretation Of Scripture: A Call For Ecclesial Exegesis / Edward W. Klink Iii -- The Pastor Theologian In The Pastoral Epistles / Jason A. Nicholls -- The Female Ecclesial Theologian / Laurie L. Norris -- The Pastor Theologian As Apologist / Josh Chatraw -- The Pastor Theologian As Giver Of Wisdom / Eric C. Redmond -- John As Pastor Theologian: 2 John As Creative Theological écriture / Douglas Estes. Edited By Todd Wilson & Gerald Hiestand. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes.

Too often in the life of the church, theological reflection and the practical matters of leading and serving have been considered independently. The result has been the impoverishment of both Christian faith and Christian practice.

In this groundbreaking book Ray Anderson reflects theologically and practically on preaching, worship, ethics, social justice, therapy, family, homosexuality, burnout in ministry, reconciliation in relationships and theological education itself. The result is The Shape of Practical Theology, a new and renewing foundation for engaging in Christian ministry.

Anderson lays out his threefold goal as follows:
to define more clearly the shape of practical theology as truly a theological enterprise rather than mere mastery of skills and methodsto demonstrate the praxis of practical theology as critical engagement with the interface between the word of God as revealed through Scripture and the work of God taking place in and through the church in the worldto deal with practical pastoral theology from the perspective of those who are on the "field of play" of life and ministry, where preaching, counseling and teaching does affect for many persons the outcome of the game

Illuminated by stimulating discussion and helpful case studies, The Shape of Practical Theology is aimed at seminary students, at Christian educators, and at working pastors and counselors. Anderson's work, fascinating and fruitful, brings together the Word of God with the Spirit of God in the ever-changing context of real-life ministry.

Too often in the life of the church, theological reflection and the practical matters of leading and serving have been considered independently. The result has been the impoverishment of both Christian faith and Christian practice. In this groundbreaking book Ray Anderson reflects theologically and practically on preaching, worship, ethics, social justice, therapy, family, homosexuality, burnout in ministry, reconciliation in relationships and theological education itself. The result is The Shape of Practical Theology, a new and renewing foundation for engaging in Christian ministry. Anderson lays out his threefold goal as follows: to define more clearly the shape of practical theology as truly a theological enterprise rather than mere mastery of skills and methods; to demonstrate the praxis of practical theology as critical engagement with the interface between the word of God as revealed through Scripture and the work of God taking place in and through the church in the world; o deal with practical pastoral theology from the perspective of those who are on the "field of play" of life and ministry, where preaching, counseling and teaching does affect for many persons the outcome of the game. Illuminated by stimulating discussion and helpful case studies, The Shape of Practical Theology is aimed at seminary students, at Christian educators, and at working pastors and counselors. Anderson's work, fascinating and fruitful, brings together the Word of God with the Spirit of God in the ever-changing context of real-life ministry Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was one of the most compelling theologians of the twentieth century. A complex mix of scholarship and passion, his life and writings continue to fascinate and challenge Christians worldwide. He was a pastor and profound teacher and writer on Christian theology and ethics, yet was also involved in the resistance against Hitler which plotted his assassination. Bonhoeffer graduated from the University of Berlin and earned his doctorate in theology at the age of twenty-one. While pursuing postgraduate work at New York's Union Theological Seminary his life and ministry was profoundly influenced by his unanticipated involvement with the African American Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem during that time. Protesting the unconstitutional interference by Hitler of the established national Protestant church and the persecution of the Jews, and rejecting the alignment of the German Christian movement with the Nazi regime, Bonhoeffer became head of an underground seminary for the resisting Confessing Church in Germany. At the 2012 Wheaton Theology Conference, Bonhoeffer's thought and ministry were explored in stimulating presentations. Bonhoeffer's views of Jesus Christ, the Christian community, and the church's engagement with culture enjoyed special focus. Throughout it is clear that in the twenty-first century, Bonhoeffer's legacy is as provocative and powerful as ever. 2011 Preaching Today Magazine Book Award winner! The Old Testament is filled with intriguing characters, stories and themes. But preaching from its remote historical context wrapped in sometimes unfamiliar literary genres and narrative devices can be daunting. Based on the conviction that the Old Testament texts are a vital and dynamic part of the Christian canon and pertinent to Christian practice, this stimulating volume offers guidance for expository preaching and practical suggestions for understanding the message of its diverse literature. The chapters cover narrative, plot, characters, genre and preaching from difficult texts. The book concludes with a vital chapter on preaching Christ from the Old Testament, which offers a theological account of biblical interpretation without unnaturally forcing the texts. The contributors are internationally respected evangelical Old Testament scholars, from a wide range of church traditions and global regions, who are also active in preaching: Daniel I. Block, David G. Firth, Grenville J. R. Kent, Paul J. Kissling, Alison Lo, Tremper Longman III, Ernest C. Lucas, R. W. L. Moberly, Laurence A. Turner, Frederico G. Villanueva, Gordon Wenham, H. G. M. Williamson and Christopher J. H. Wright. Here is a book that will help you use all of the Bible's rich resources in preaching the good news of the global kindgom of God. The Old Testament is filled with intriguing characters, stories and themes. But preaching from its remote historical context wrapped in sometimes unfamiliar literary genres and narrative devices can be daunting. Based on the conviction that the Old Testament texts are a vital and dynamic part of the Christian canon and pertinent to Christian practice, this stimulating volume offers guidance for expository preaching and practical suggestions for understanding the message of its diverse literature. The chapters cover narrative, plot, characters, genre and preaching from difficult texts. The book concludes with a vital chapter on preaching Christ from the Old Testament, which offers a theological account of biblical interpretation without unnaturally forcing the texts. The contributors are internationally respected evangelical Old Testament scholars, from a wide range of church traditions and global regions, who are also active in preaching: Daniel I. Block, David G. Firth, Grenville J. R. Kent, Paul J. Kissling, Alison Lo, Tremper Longman III, Ernest C. Lucas, R. W. L. Moberly, Laurence A. Turner, Frederico G. Villanueva, Gordon Wenham, H. G. M. Williamson and Christopher J. H. Wright. Here is a book that will help you use all of the Bible's rich resources in preaching the good news of the global kindgom of God. - Publisher. "Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was one of the most compelling theologians of the twentieth century. A complex mix of scholarship and passion, his life and writings continue to fascinate and challenge Christians worldwide. Bonhoeffer was a pastor, teacher and writer on Christian theology and ethics. He graduated from the University of Berlin and earned his doctorate in theology at the age of twenty-one. While pursuing postgraduate work at New York's Union Theological Seminary, he was profoundly influenced by his unanticipated involvement with the African-American Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. He was active in the struggle against the German Christian movement in the 1930s and was later involved in the resistance against Hitler that plotted his assassination. In protest against the Nazi regime's interference with the work of the church, Bonhoeffer became head of an underground seminary for the resisting Confessing Church in Germany. At the 2012 Wheaton Theology Conference, Bonhoeffer's thought and ministry were explored in stimulating presentations. Bonhoeffer's views of Jesus Christ, the Christian community and the church's engagement with culture enjoyed special focus. Throughout it is clear that in the twenty-first century, Bonhoeffer's legacy is as provocative and powerful as ever."--Publisher's Description Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was one of the most compelling theologians of the twentieth century. A complex mix of scholarship and passion, his life and writings continue to fascinate and challenge Christians worldwide. Bonhoeffer was a pastor, teacher and writer on Christian theology and ethics. He graduated from the University of Berlin and earned his doctorate in theology at the age of twenty-one. While pursuing postgraduate work at New York's Union Theological Seminary, he was profoundly influenced by his unanticipated involvement with the African-American Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. He was active in the struggle against the German Christian movement in the 1930s and was later involved in the resistance against Hitler that plotted his assassination. In protest against the Nazi regime's interference with the work of the church, Bonhoeffer became head of an underground seminary for the resisting Confessing Church in Germany. At the 2012 Wheaton Theology Conference, Bonhoeffer's thought and ministry were explored in stimulating presentations. Bonhoeffer's views of Jesus Christ, the Christian community and the church's engagement with culture enjoyed special focus. Throughout it is clear that in the twenty-first century, Bonhoeffer's legacy is as provocative and powerful as ever. - Back cover. The roles of pastor and theologian have gone their separate ways. Throughout much of the church's history, these two roles have been deeply intertwined, but in our contemporary setting, a troubling bifurcation between them has developed. The result has been a theologically weakened church and an ecclesially weakened theology. The Center for Pastor Theologians (CPT) seeks to overcome this divide by assisting pastors in the study and production of biblical and theological scholarship for the theological renewal of the church and the ecclesial renewal of theology. Based on the first CPT conference in 2015, this volume brings together the reflections of church leaders and academic theologians to consider how pastoral ministry and theological scholarship might be reconnected once again. The contributors consider several facets of the complex identity of the pastor theologian, including the biblical, public, and political dimensions of this calling. In addition, the essays explore the insights that can be gained from historical examples of pastor theologians—including John Calvin, John Henry Newman and Dietrich Bonhoeffer—as well as the essential role of Scripture within the ministry of the pastor theologian. Acknowledgments Introduction Part I: The Identities of the Pastor Theologian 1. The Pastor Theologian as Biblical Theologian: From the Church for the Church 2. The Pastor Theologian as Political Theologian: Ministry Amidst the Earthly City 3. The Pastor Theologian as Public Theologian 4. The Pastor Theologian as Ecclesial Theologian 5. The Pastor Theologian as Cruciform Theologian Part II: The Pastor theologian in Historical Perspective 6. Pastoral and Theological Leadership in Calvin's Geneva 7. Thomas Boston as Pastor Theologian 8. The Pastor Theologian as Mentor: The Legacy of John Henry Newman 9. The Ecclesial Theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer Part III: The Pastor Theologian and the Bible 10. The Pastor Theologian and the Interpretation of Scripture: A Call for Ecclesial Exegesis 11. The Pastor Theologian in the Pastoral Epistles 12. The Female Ecclesial Theologian 13. The Pastor Theologian as Apologist 14. The Pastor Theologian as Giver of Wisdom 15. John as Pastor Theologian: 2 John as Creative Theological Ecriture List of Contributors Name Index Subject Index Scripture Index Scripture says, "I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding" (Jeremiah 3:15). Most of Israel's pastoral imagery is grounded in two traditions: Moses as God's under-shepherd and David as shepherd-king. These traditions, explains author Timothy S. Laniak, provided prototypes for leaders that followed, and formed the background for the ministry of Jesus, the good shepherd. The pastoral role was central to the ongoing life of local churches in the Christian movement, and today's pastors are still called to be shepherds after God's own heart, to lead his people, living on the margins of settled society, to their eternal home. In this excellent study, Laniak draws on a wide range of Old and New Testament texts to develop the biblical theology of "shepherd" imagery, and concludes with some principles and implications for contemporary pastoral ministry. A wonderful resource for pastors, teachers and seminary students, as well as readers interested in the study of biblical imagery. The roles of pastor and theologian have gone their separate ways. Throughout much of the church's history, these two roles have been deeply intertwined, but in our contemporary setting, a troubling bifurcation between them has developed. The result has been a theologically weakened church and an ecclesially weakened theology. The Center for Pastor Theologians (CPT) seeks to overcome this divide by assisting pastors in the study and production of biblical and theological scholarship for the theological renewal of the church and the ecclesial renewal of theology. Based on the first CPT conference in 2015, this volume brings together the reflections of church leaders and academic theologians to consider how pastoral ministry and theological scholarship might be reconnected once again.-back of the book This book is a full-length academic treatment of the theme of the shepherd/pastor throughout the whole of scripture. It comprises a detailed study of Ancient Near Eastern understandings of this powerful metaphor, its uses and development in the Old Testament and its employment by the apostolic writers to describe the messianic significance of Jesus Christ, both in his earthly ministry and in his ascended and apocalyptic Lordship over church and world. In doing so, it articulates key elements of a biblical theology of pastoral ministry and leadership