Many pastors today see themselves primarily as counselors, leaders, and motivators. Yet this often comes at the expense of the fundamental reality of the pastorate as a theological office. The most important role is to be a theologian mediating God to the people. The church needs pastors who can contextualize the Word of God to help their congregations think theologically about all aspects of their lives, such as work, end-of-life decisions, political involvement, and entertainment. Drawing on the depiction of pastors in the Bible, key figures from church history, and Christian theology, this brief and accessible book offers a clarion call for pastors to serve as public theologians in their congregations and communities. The church needs pastors to read the world in light of Scripture and to direct their congregations in ways of wisdom, shalom, and human flourishing. The Pastor as Public Theologian calls for a paradigm shift in the very idea of what a pastor is and does, setting forth a positive alternative picture. In addition to pastors, this book will be invaluable to seminary students training to be pastors and to their professors. It includes pastoral reflections on the theological task from twelve working pastors.--Publisher.

Introduction:Pastors, theologians, and other public figures / Kevin J. Vanhoozer -- Six practical steps toward being a pastor-theologian / Gerald Hiestand -- Seven ways to theologize as a pastor / Josh Moody -- Part 1. Biblical theology and historical theology. Of prophets, priests, and kings: a brief biblical theology of the pastorate / Owen Strachan -- The pastor as public theologian / Melvin Tinker -- Human origins: a test case for pastor-theologians / Todd Wilson -- A practical theology of technology / Jim Samra -- Of scholars and saints: a brief history of the pastorate / Owen Strachan -- How the theology of saving faith has affected my congregation / Wesley G. Pastor -- A place for truth / Kevin DeYoung -- Part 2. Systematic theology and practical theology. In the evangelical mood: the purpose of the pastor-theologian / Kevin J. Vanhoozer -- On death / David Gibson -- Preaching the doctrine of the gospel as truth, goodness, and beauty / Bill Kynes -- Reading for preaching / Cornelius Plantinga Jr. -- Artisans in the house of God: the practices of the pastor-theologian / Kevin J. Vanhoozer -- The drama of preaching / Guy A. Davies -- The pastor-theologian as pulpit apologist / Jason B. Hood -- Conclusion: Fifty-five summary theses on the pastor as public theologian / Kevin J. Vanhoozer.