The Society for the Advancement of Ecclesiological Theology

November 30, 2009 by Gerald Hiestand

Taxonomy of the Pastor-Theologian, Part 5: The Pastor-Theologian as Ecclesial Theologian

Having discussed the reigning models of the pastor-theologian (local, popular, academic), the SAET’s vision for the pastor-theologian begins to emerge—the pastor-theologian as ecclesial theologian.

The pastor-as-ecclesial-theologian marks a new path. The ecclesial theologian is as church centered as the local and popular theologian models, and is as intellectually rigorous as the academic theologian model. The ecclesial theologian is a pastor who writes robust, biblical, ecclesially centered, theological reflection to other theologians. It includes, but pushes beyond, the local theologian and popular theologian models, prosecuting a theological agenda consistent with ecclesial theology.

Luther’s Galatians commentary comes to mind here. Luther’s work is quite a bit different than your average modern academic commentary. It’s different in that it doesn’t feel such a need to plumb the nearly endless depths of secondary literature (there wasn’t as much), because it’s not afraid to be explicitly theological and confessional, because it interacts with the great thinkers of the past who have helped shape orthodox thought, and—most significantly—because it prophetically calls the church to take action. But it’s not different because it’s “lighter” or “easier to read” or “pitched to a less informed audience.” Luther did not change the world because he was a successful academician (though he was). Nor did he change the world by writing merely popular tracts (though he did). He changed the world because he wrote as a robust, theologically informed, intelligent, prophetic ecclesial theologian.

The ecclesial theologian counters the sentiment that says, “Deep, penetrating commentaries and books on the atonement—that stuff is for the academy. Pastors should stick to writing pop theology and Christian living stuff.” God forbid! Expounding God’s Word and reflecting on the nature of the atonement, etc., needs to be brought back into the domain of the church. The ecclesial theologian represents a return to the days when pastors wrote theology that was richly theological, deeply biblical, historically informed, culturally aware, prophetic, and intelligent.

Not every pastor is called to be an ecclesial theologian. But many pastors today—particularly among the younger generation—feel pulled between the life of the mind and the life of the church. They love study, writing, reflection, and theology. But at the same time they have a deep heart and calling for pastoral ministry in the local church. Our current context compels such people to choose between these two callings. Yet this need not be—history has proven otherwise! Evangelical theology is crying out for individuals who are willing to unite the life of the mind (and pen) and the mission of the church.

More work remains to be done. Perhaps the next great challenge will be overcoming the institutional hurdles of local church ministry. The local church, in its present form, is rarely an incubator for birthing ecclesial theologians. But such change will take time. For now, those of us committed to charting the uncharted territory of ecclesial theology must content ourselves with working in a system—as best we can—that does not always lend itself to the project we are pursuing. Our pioneering generation may not reap the full benefit of our efforts. But I’m convinced that our work now is laying the ground work for a return of the ecclesial theologian, for the renewal of the church.

Categories: Ecclesial Theology | Pastor-theologian