There is nothing new under the sun. This includes the pastor theologian, and the work of ecclesial theology is as good as it is old. Every generation of the church has reaped the benefits of those who worked faithfully to serve the fellowship in their preaching, teaching, and writing. The pattern of these pastor theologians is often typified in Calvin or Aquinas, Augustine or Irenaeus, but the office also has a sure biblical foundation.[1] I do not mean the letters of Paul or Peter, though they would obviously apply––instead how fitting it is to find ecclesial theology in the book bearing the name of the gathering of God’s people—Ecclesiastes.
In the book’s final words, there is found a timely word for the pastor theologian from another.
The Pastor Theologian’s Ideal
“Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.” (Eccl. 12:9-10, ESV)
In the end of his pursuit and declarations of vanity, the Preacher reflects on those aspects of his life that we may call the pastor theologian’s ideal. The first facet of this ideal is that his knowledge was not his own. The pastor theologian would do well to see that the knowledge and wisdom that they possess is not for their soul alone. To be sure, there is a great joy and satisfaction in the work of research and writing. But the joyful quest of the individual is not the driver of ecclesial theology. Its very name denotes otherwise. Ecclesial theology is concerned with imparting truth, beauty, and care to the church. This bears itself both in the immediate, local church context of the theologian, be that in their preaching, counseling, or otherwise, as well as the broader context of the movement towards the universal church, in their writing or teaching. The pastor theologian is a servant of the bride. The second facet of this ideal is that the pastor theologian seeks to carry out their calling with excellence. This is of course not unique to the pastor theologian as God has called every believer to an upright work, but it does reveal the great care required. As pastor, there is an invitation to honor (1 Tim. 5:17) as well as a harsher judgment (James 3:1). As theologian, there is an invitation to seek both the words of delight and the Word of Delight in the incarnate Christ. Our task is one that beholds the glory and truth of God and declares it to others to share our gaze.
The Pastor Theologian’s Idol
“The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” (Eccl. 12:11-12, ESV)
Though the Pastor Theologian’s task is often a thoughtful one, it is not immune from folly. Genuine wisdom has God as its source—the one Shepherd to whom the Preacher makes reference—but we often find our folly in going beyond God’s wisdom into the vices of excess. This excess is one of idolatry, as we take the study in which we find God’s wisdom and begin to pursue it to our own demise. This endless pursuit is a wearying one in at least two ways. The first is in the primacy of our work. God is no utilitarian. If we neglect those for whom he has entrusted us to care, however few or many, in order to serve those beyond our context, we bring reproach upon on our very souls. Such service, if it can even be called that, is inevitably to build our own kingdom rather than seeking the kingdom of God. The second fault is the idol of study itself. Whether it is the size of our libraries, the number of our publications, or our quest to curry favor with those we admire, the work of the pastor theologian can become rife with measures of our worth that go beyond the Lord’s estimation and calling. The pastor theologian should be cognizant of the ways in which their task may lead beyond the presence of God.
The Pastor Theologian’s End
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Eccl. 12:13-14, ESV).
In the end, the pastor theologian will give account of their life and ministry. In that day, our ideals and idols will be laid bare before us and God. We may fool those whose favor we seek, but there is no secret thing before the Lord. Fear God. Keep his commandments. Do the work of your calling, and do it well.
Notes:
[1] “A Survey of the Ratio of Clerical, Nonclerical, and Monastic Theologians” in Gerald Hiestand and Todd Wilson, The Pastor Theologian: Resurrecting an Ancient Vision, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015), 133-172.
This resource is part of the series Seeking Wisdom: Reading, Writing, and Theological Reflection in the Life of the Pastor. Click Here to explore more resources from this series.
Paul Morrison serves as a Pastor at The Church at West Creek in suburban Cleveland, OH. He is also the director and co-founder of the Ohio Theological Institute. Paul holds a PhD in Christian Ethics from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is a member of the St. Peter Fellowship of the Center for Pastor Theologians.
