Pastoral Theology - A Review

Pastoral Theology

by

Daniel L. AkinR. Scott Pace

A Review

What disappointments me about this book is that it goes astray from most books with a similar title. What excites me about this book is that it goes astray from most books with a similar title.

When I think of a pastoral theology text, I think of a book that discusses the work of being a pastor - how to care for people and how to lead a church.  This book is not so much the “how”, but the theological (i.e. Biblical) foundations for the “how”. Too often we disconnect our theology from our behavior - Akin and Pace have attempted to bring these two aspects of our lives as pastors together in a readable and understandable monograph designed for the pastor or pastoral student. The book does cover some of the practical concerns (i.e. the “how”) of being a pastor, but this is not its focus. Rather the book is designed to allow the student (whether in school or out of school) to explore what scripture says about our role as pastors.

This book is a must read for pastors of all flavors. We may not agree with all that is said, but we do need to grapple with its contents. I would also like to see this book adopted as an ancillary text for the pastoral student - whether in college or seminary. Though aimed, perhaps, more toward the seminary student; the book will be of value all those seeking to serve the local church.  Because of this, the book also belongs in the Christian college (particularly those offering a pastoral studies track) and seminary library.  

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

The New Pastor's Handbook - A Review

The New Pastor’s Handbook

by

Jason Helopoulos

A Review

Every new pastor needs a hand to hold onto. Often that hand will begin with a book. For me that book was Lloyd Perry’s A Manual of Pastoral Problems and Procedures.  It was helpful and having the author at the front of the class gave it added meaning. However, it was written in 1971 and does not represent the 21st century church. Other books have been written to fill that need - including one by Jason Helopoulos.

Though designed for new pastor, the book discusses 48 questions facing every pastor. The author begins by discussing the nature of a call, the practical issues that face all pastors, and ends with a few questions on self care. Some sections are dedicated to specific types of ministry (the solo pastor, the youth pastor, etc.).  The responses are brief, maybe too brief, but certainly readable over a couple of months if one would read one entry per night. The eager reader could easily read two or three chapters each evening, a more thoughtful reader may want to take a longer time on each entry. With only 3-4 pages set aside for each issue, responses are of necessity brief. Some topics could be fleshed out with a complete book - but certainly no pastor or student has time to read separate books on each topic in the first year of ministry - perhaps over a lifetime. On the other hand, the pastor will want to flesh out his reading by locating and reviewing some of these larger works as he works and serves the people puts across his path.

The book is not deep - but contains a great deal of practical advice. It will fit well into a Pastoral Procedures course in the Bible College; it might serve better as an ancillary text for a similar seminary course. It would also fit well when kept within reach of any pastor serving the local church.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Believe: Living the Story of the Bible to Become Like Jesus - A Review

Believe:

Living the Story of the Bible to Become Like Jesus

edited by

Randy Frazee

A Review

Believe is the third book I would recommend to the individual wanting to study theology without being spoon fed by an author.  The older of these is nearly (sadly) out of print, Gordon R. Lewis’ Decide For Yourself.  The second book was published more recently, Darryl Aaron’s Understanding Theology in 15 Minutes A Day.  Randy Frazee has now published a similar book that allows the reader to do theology for herself or himself.

The book, as a whole, is divided into three sections.  The first covers the topics most commonly found in a systematic theology text.  The second examines what might be termed “practical theology” - answering questions about how our beliefs influence how we live.  The third section, using the Fruit of the Spirit as a guide, focuses on how faith effects who we are, i.e. a “heart theology”.  

The three sections are further divided into chapters discussing major topics.  The chapters are divided into sub-topics, each beginning with a brief one paragraph discussion of the questions being addressed.  My only complaint with the entire book is that these sub-topics are only delineated by the use italics - no bold print, no dark lines, no icons separate the end of one sub-topic and the beginning of another except that the following paragraph is in italics.  

This paragraph is followed, not by lists of scriptures as found in the earlier books, but by the scriptures (using the NIV) themselves.  Scriptures may be a single verse (rarely), a pericope, or a chapter or two related to the current topic.  Because the scriptures are quoted, the current book is substantially longer than the earlier volumes, though the information detail remains about the same.

The current book is recommended for the lay Christian seeking to understand why and what they believe.  In the local church, it could easily serve as the basis for a year long Sunday School or Bible Study discussing similar topics.  The two more practical sections of Believe would make it a welcome addition to this audience.  It may also have a place in a Bible College or Seminary course where denominational indoctrination is of less importance than personal spiritual growth.  I would also recommend this book for the pastor or established Christian looking for a fresh way to explore one’s faith and its application to life.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.