Reconnecting Theological Scholarship and Pastoral Ministry

The volumes in the Center for Pastor Theologians (CPT) Series bring together the reflections of church leaders and academic theologians to consider how pastoral ministry and theological scholarship might be reconnected once again. In these volumes, based on the annual Pastor Theologians Conferences, contributors consider several facets of the theme discussed at each conference, exploring the insights that can be gained from historical examples of pastor theologians as well as the essential truths from Scripture on the topic.

What you'll find in this series:

• Becoming a Pastor Theologian: Discusses the complex identity of the pastor theologian, historical examples of pastor theologians, and the essential role of Scripture within the ministry of pastor theologians.
• Beauty, Order, and Mystery: Engages the topic of human sexuality, bringing together Scripture, church history, and contemporary issues to tackle difficult questions with discernment.
• Creation and Doxology: Explores the doctrine of creation and what it means to both affirm the goodness of God's creation while anticipating the new creation.
• Tending Soul, Mind, and Body: Explores the relationships among the fields of theological anthropology, spiritual formation, and modern psychology to articulate a vibrant whole-person theology.

Praise for Books in the Series

"There was a time when the word pastor meant something. That this term has now become so vacuous is not primarily the fault of the ambient culture but represents instead a crisis of vocation. So here we have, none too soon, a collection of stout essays calling for a new generation of shepherd-teachers—ecclesial theologians who do their work in the best tradition of the Church Fathers and the Reformers, in the light of eternity and pro Christo et ecclesia."

—Timothy George, founding dean, Beeson Divinity School

"A clarion call for pastors to embrace their vocational identity as theologians! Pastors will surely benefit from the encouragement and challenge these essays offer, but because the authors celebrate the different callings of other members of the church, all those who come 'from within the liturgical and common life of a local congregation'—be they full-time academics or laypersons in other fields—will (re)discover ways to think about and support theology from the church, for the church."

—Amy Peeler, assistant professor of New Testament, Wheaton College

"This book is a treasure-trove for Christians desirous of finding their biblical and theological bearings on questions of faith and science. The essays represent diverse positions and offer helpful ways of addressing conflicts between believers over these matters. Above all, this is a book on creation that fills one's mind and heart with praise to the Creator!"

—Matthew Levering, James N. and Mary D. Perry Jr. Chair of Theology at Mundelein Seminary