SAET Blog

Ecclesial Theologian Posts

  • February 21, 2010 by Gerald Hiestand

    The Pastor-Theologian as Ecclesial Theologian

    I’ve reworked my 2009 Symposium paper in light of feedback received. The paper brings together the content of my Reformation 21 article, with the content of my taxonomy series, and seeks to articulate an understanding of the pastor-theologian that includes the writing of ecclesial theology as as significant factor in the pastor-theologian’s identity.

    The intent is to include this paper in an edited volume alongside the other 2009 Pastor-Theologian Symposium papers, so any feedback before publication is welcome.  Here’s the introduction followed by a link to a pdf:

    The Society for the Advancement of Ecclesial Theology (SAET) is, as its name suggests, a society dedicated to the advancement of ecclesial theology. And in its effort to advance ecclesial theology, the SAET has largely placed its hope in the resurgence of the pastor-theologian. Not because academic theologians are incapable of producing ecclesial theology (quite the contrary), but because the pastoral office uniquely positions one to think both theologically and ecclesially. If history is any guide, the relationship between the pastor-theologian and ecclesial theology is such that the success of each rises and falls with the other. And postmodernity—for all its weaknesses—properly reminds us of the connection between theological formation and social location. As Daniel Migliore appropriately notes, “the concrete situation of theology helps to shape the questions that are raised and the priorities that are set.” Who better, then, to articulate theology with a view to the church than those whose primary social location is the local church?

    The Pastor as Ecclesial Theologian

    Categories: Ecclesial Theologian | Ecclesial Theology | Pastor-theologian | Symposium

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  • February 12, 2010 by Gerald Hiestand

    Two Birds With One “Pastor-as-Ecclesial-Theologian” Stone

    Nothing particularly new here. Todd and I had lunch with a number of area pastors who wanted to hear more about the SAET. We both came away feeling like maybe we could have been more precise in explaining the SAET vision and mission. So I’ve been trying to think in fresh ways about how best to frame the whole discussion. What problems are we trying to address? How does the SAET’s vision of an ecclesial theologian help address these problems? Writing helps me clarify my thoughts, so here you go. Your input is welcomed.

    Here are the two major problems on the SAET radar:

    1. The local church in North America is—in the main—theologically anemic.

    2. Evangelical theological reflection is—given its location in the academy—often disconnected from ecclesial concerns.

    Does anyone really dispute either of these? Evangelical theology is not about to run off the cliff of ecclesial irrelevance. Nor is the evangelical local church on its last theological breath. But I think most of us concerned about both would agree that the dough of evangelical theology could stand a little more ecclesial yeast, and that the local church would benefit from a more theologically substantive pastorate.

    Solution? The pastor-as-ecclesial-theologian (i.e., a pastor who writes robust, ecclesially-sensitive theology). The ecclesial-theologian  simultaneously addresses both of the above problems by at once returning a strong theological presence to the pulpit of the local church, and by influencing broader evangelical theological reflection toward ecclesial concerns.

    It is self-evident that a theologian in the pulpit will go a long way toward addressing the theological anemia of a local church. Further, it is clear that a theologian’s pastoral vocation will influence his theological writing toward ecclesial concerns, thus returning a distinctly ecclesial voice to evangelical theology. Thus the pastor-as-ecclesial-theologian kills two birds with one stone.

    Without a significant body of respected ecclesial theologians, the pastoral office will continue to be seen as a largely non-theological vocation; the local church will remain theologically anemic. And without the ecclesial theologian, theological reflection will continue to remain—at some level—disconnected from ecclesial concerns.

    And having made the above argument, one can go on to point out that the pastor-as-ecclesial-theologian model is more than just a good idea; it’s detailed for us in Scripture.

    Thoughts?

    Categories: Academic Theology | Ecclesial Theologian | Ecclesial Theology | Evangelicalism | Pastor-theologian | The SAET

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