The first disciples of Jeshua, the Christ, were, except Luke, no scholars. It was only after Jeshua had died and was risen that an other scholar joined the disciples and became known as the great apostle Paul.
The early members of the ecclesiae of the followers of Jesus were a mix of all sorts of professions, where everybody became a partaker of the group, taking up different roles. They did not go to universities to have their degree in theology and did not have a training in the synagogues to become a priest in the ecclesia.
They were people united in the body of Christ, humbling themselves to be a worker for Christ and for God, not aiming to be the Leader, because they knew very well who had to be the leader, namely Jesus Christ should be the cornerstone of the community.
It is very nice to hear that
“At the end of the day theology is not about having more head knowledge or even about pursuing more academic degrees. It’s about getting to know the God of the Scriptures who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine. And when he is made much of – that is, when he is encountered and known, the real work of ministry is done in our hearts, our communities, and the world!”
Though it is a pity that so many theologians have become blinded by human doctrines that they do not see the biblical truth any more.
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To remember
- pastor = CEO or “leader” dominating conference scene
- two of the Church’s finest leaders – Andy Stanley + Craig Groeschel = god-like on stage + every ear attune to their words of wisdom
- wondering if we’ve pushed focus on leadership too far to the neglect of the study of theology
- Gerald Hiestand + Todd Wilson in their book, The Pastor Theologian: Resurrecting an Ancient Vision, think this may be the case.
- great chasm between study of theology and the Church
- office of pastor + theologian not always separate
- birth of university => divide => best + brightest minds pursued work in the academy+ those gifted with people skills became pastors in the local Church
- Church could use some more theology while the academy could use some more pastoral wisdom.
- all ministry leaders should prioritize study of God
- to keep a close watch over own life and doctrine (teaching)(1 Timothy 4:16)
- guard against false doctrine if unable to identify it
- health of the Church + the making of disciples = both reliant on sound teaching.
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Preceding articles
Mental Enslavement and Sins Syndrome (MESS)
Luther on Being a Theologian: Oratio, Meditatio and Tentatio
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Additional reading
- The importance of Reading the Scriptures
- No other god besides Jehovah who gives all explanation
- God’s forgotten Word 3 Lost Lawbook 2 Modern scepticism
- Theologians and a promised Spirit to enlighten us
- Necessity of a revelation of creation 9 Searching the Scriptures
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We live in an age where the pastor as CEO or the pastor as “leader” dominates the conference scene. I remember attending a Catalyst One Day Conference in Chicago several years ago. One day packed full of vision casting, leadership tips, and inspirational quotes from two of the Church’s finest leaders – Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel. I was mesmerized. They were god-like on stage and every ear was attune to their words of wisdom. I took copious notes and made it a priority to implement as much as I could into the college ministry I was leading at the time. It goes without saying that much of what leadership literature and media have to offer is valuable and necessary.
I’m just wondering if we’ve pushed the focus on leadership too far to the neglect of the study of theology. Gerald Hiestand and Todd Wilson in their book, The Pastor…
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Stepping Toes 