Comments for Hopeful Realism

Comment on The Pastor-Theologian and the Small Church by Gerald Hiestand

Gerald Hiestand — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:54:29 +0000

I think you’re right here, Andy. I’d prefer a smaller(ish) church to a big church as the best context for the pastor-theologian. But the one major difficulty of being a pastor-theologian who is actually producing theology beyond the parish, is the isolation factor. Probably more important than size of church is location. Invariably, the pastor-theologian will have to look outside his parish for encouragement and resourcing in the scholarly task. Being in a major city near a major center of learning will provide solid resources for a pastor-theologian, and potentially a community of intellectual peers. But being a pastor theologian at a small church in the middle of a rural community will be more of a challenge.

Comment on The Ideal Context for a Pastor-Theologian: Small Church or Mega Church? by Gerald Hiestand

Gerald Hiestand — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:44:11 +0000

It changes things a bit if you aren’t thinking primarily of the senior pastor–an associate pastor in a mega church would potentially have more time for reflection, and not carry the institutional burden of a large church. A few large churches I know of have hired associate pastors whose primary role in the church is to be the resident theologian.

Comment on When A Sermon Mystifies more than Explains by Chris Breslin

Chris Breslin — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:16:33 +0000

Always more, never less. A surplus of meaning. Great words, Andy.

Comment on When A Sermon Mystifies more than Explains by Mike S

Mike S — Sat, 11 May 2013 15:53:41 +0000

I’m challenged by this and it really expands my ideas of the goal of preaching.
A sermon that mystifies. What a beautiful thought. I could use more of that.
Thanks!

Comment on When A Sermon Mystifies more than Explains by Matt O

Matt O — Sat, 11 May 2013 12:56:13 +0000

Andy! Love this post. . .in fact, maybe my favorite of yours this year. Great words for all of us behind the sacred pulpit (music stand).

Comment on On Avoiding Kierkegaard’s Indictment of Christian Scholarship by Andrew Byers

Andrew Byers — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:05:24 +0000

Tim! I was hoping you would catch this post, knowing you would appreciate it having been right there at my side! And your comments are spot on, enriching my limited material in the post. Thanks for writing!

Comment on On Avoiding Kierkegaard’s Indictment of Christian Scholarship by Tim Marsh (@tmarsh0307)

Tim Marsh (@tmarsh0307) — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:27:53 +0000

Andy,

All I can say is, “I was there with you that day!!!” Yes, and Kavin even challenged me in one of my essays with the same question.

With regards to New Testament scholarship though, I think that Kierkegaard was writing in a day in which the academy’s job was to promote the ideology of a church-state seeking to justify its existence and enterprise.

If there has been anything good that has come from Post World War II New Testament Scholarship, Christian Theology, critical studies of church history and the rise in Spiritual Formation studies is that the academy now offers a check-and-balance for the church, which is now pretty much divorced from the interests of the state (of course, unlike you, I’ve never lived in the UK, so you may bring a different perspective).

Thus, we can have Richard Hays, Kavin Rowe, Douglas Campbell, Stanley Hauerwas and others challenge the next generation of scholars and clergy to think about faith in a context that does not serve the best interests of church and state, but the best interests of the Kingdom of God.

Once that happens, like Kierkegaard indicates, living this out in a democratic, capitalistic society becomes a challenge. It begs the necessity of a community that meets together to strengthen one another and hold one another accountable.

Yes, it is a fearful thing to be alone with the New Testament and the living God who inspired it.

And, thank you, again for your writing…it’s a blessing!

Comment on On Avoiding Kierkegaard’s Indictment of Christian Scholarship by Derek Rishmawy

Derek Rishmawy — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:34:17 +0000

This was great. Kierkegaard had a parable much to the same effect about a kingdom that goes about “interpreting” the commands of her king to the point where they are no longer obeyed. You might enjoy it.
http://derekzrishmawy.com/2012/09/04/kierkegaard-on-interpreting-the-text-to-death/

Comment on Francis Watson’s Forthcoming Book: Rethinking Gospel Origins by Jim

Jim — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 20:39:58 +0000

thanks for mentioning this

Comment on The Pastor-Theologian and the Small Church by Matt O

Matt O — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:17:09 +0000

Amen, brother. Had a meeting with some div school professors and a student who had served an internship with us. . .she was a great example of what you wrote about here. Thanks for caring about a theology of the mind that has roots in the lives of real people.