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Pastoral Theology: The Pastor in the Various Duties of His Office
564 pages, Hardcover
Published March 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 28, 2025
A great deal of good material, and also some interesting but dated counsel on Sabbath Schools. Heavy block-quoting would have been well served by footnote references of some kind in this new edition. The index is helpful. Will return to this.
March 7, 2026
A comprehensive guide to pastoral theology and ministry. For aspiring or beginning pastors, consider the first 5 chapters particularly carefully!
Admittedly, his Southern Presbyterian approach differs a bit from mine, especially on questions of church polity, but I found Murphy’s an edifying and useful work nonetheless.
Admittedly, his Southern Presbyterian approach differs a bit from mine, especially on questions of church polity, but I found Murphy’s an edifying and useful work nonetheless.
March 2, 2026
This is probably the best book on pastoral ministry I’ve read. It’s definitely my favorite. It’s biblical and comprehensive. I felt like Murphy mentored me. It blessed me tremendously! I highly recommend it.
October 12, 2025
This was a great book that I read for my pastoral ministry class! It was originally published in 1877 by an American Presbyterian minister. In the book, Murphy gives advice on how pastors should approach their devotional life, their preparation, their pulpit duties, shepherding and mercy work, administrative work, membership duties, Sunday schools, current events, session work, and interdenominational work. He is very honest and gives excellent, scriptural advice. 150 years between the writing of this book and now means that contexts and specific practices have changed. Examples include house visits, Sunday schools from sabbath schools, and letter writing. However many of the principles are still extremely applicable. The language in this book is clear and succinct and I will definitely revisit it when I become a full time pastor! Would highly recommend!
April 28, 2026
The first few chapters are golden, addressing the heart and soul of the pastor. He adds a weightless to the office that is often missing today. Furthermore, his counsel regarding the pastor’s study and pulpit ministry are timeless in many ways.
That said, some of the final chapters are either dated or impractical for a smaller church. His discussion on relationships with other denominations felt rushed. As a pastor who deals with other congregations on a daily basis, I was hoping for the same concreteness as evidenced in other chapters.
Take your time in the beginning, keep a good pace in the middle, and speed through the end.
That said, some of the final chapters are either dated or impractical for a smaller church. His discussion on relationships with other denominations felt rushed. As a pastor who deals with other congregations on a daily basis, I was hoping for the same concreteness as evidenced in other chapters.
Take your time in the beginning, keep a good pace in the middle, and speed through the end.
March 17, 2026
This feels like what many men ascribe to Baxter's Reformed Pastor; a masterful pastoral manual for new ministers. It's filled with great wisdom. While some bits may feel dated (e.g. Sabbath schools as he describes aren't operated quite the same way now), it is rather timely in considering the work of office of a minister.
May 7, 2026
Thomas Murphy’s Pastoral Theology reads like the counsel of an older shepherd urging younger ministers to walk closely with Christ and labor faithfully for souls. Murphy’s burden throughout is not ministerial fame or outward success, but spiritual usefulness born from holiness, prayer, discipline, and love for the flock.
Some of the most memorable lines are: “What is needed in the ministry now is complete consecration of heart and head and hands to Christ,” and, “That true sanctity which becomes the gospel minister will keep him near to God, the source of all real strength and success.”
He stresses pastoral visitation, earnest preaching, private devotion, and careful diligence in the work of ministry. He does often make grand sweeping general statements that I think can have a bit more nuance. Also, I would’ve liked to have seen references to the Bible and other works clearly noted within the book because he often times quote scripture or other authors without giving references (maybe that’s reflective of my own ignorance more than his need to provide references).
Still, this book is deeply warm, convicting, and devotional. It reminded me that a pastor’s greatest usefulness does not come from talent or personality, but from abiding in Christ, sincere love for His people, and a compassion for those who do not know Christ.
Some of the most memorable lines are: “What is needed in the ministry now is complete consecration of heart and head and hands to Christ,” and, “That true sanctity which becomes the gospel minister will keep him near to God, the source of all real strength and success.”
He stresses pastoral visitation, earnest preaching, private devotion, and careful diligence in the work of ministry. He does often make grand sweeping general statements that I think can have a bit more nuance. Also, I would’ve liked to have seen references to the Bible and other works clearly noted within the book because he often times quote scripture or other authors without giving references (maybe that’s reflective of my own ignorance more than his need to provide references).
Still, this book is deeply warm, convicting, and devotional. It reminded me that a pastor’s greatest usefulness does not come from talent or personality, but from abiding in Christ, sincere love for His people, and a compassion for those who do not know Christ.
September 25, 2025
This is a classic from the past (late 19th century presbyterianism). I heard Ligon Duncan recommend it at a conference a few years ago, and there were few quality copies available. But Greenville Seminary now owns the Log Cabin imprint and has produced a handsome volume (I'm interested to see what other classics of presbyterianism they unearth!).
Murphy discusses just about anything you could think of that a pastor would have to tackle in his regular ministry. His advice on pastoral visitation is especially helpful--do visits in bunches, and keep them short! He has quite a system that would translate pretty well today, although parishioners tend to be more spread out than they were in his era, so some of his calculations would have to change.
The surprising topic that he went on and on and on about was Sunday School (or "Sabbath School"). This takes up a quarter of the book. But you have to realize that Sunday School was a relatively new innovation in his era, and perhaps not performed all that well. But Murphy has plenty of wisdom and advice about how a pastor should oversee and participate in that vital ministry (at a level of engagement higher than nearly any pastor's today).
Excellent work for any pastor--and thanks for the recommendation, Lig.
Murphy discusses just about anything you could think of that a pastor would have to tackle in his regular ministry. His advice on pastoral visitation is especially helpful--do visits in bunches, and keep them short! He has quite a system that would translate pretty well today, although parishioners tend to be more spread out than they were in his era, so some of his calculations would have to change.
The surprising topic that he went on and on and on about was Sunday School (or "Sabbath School"). This takes up a quarter of the book. But you have to realize that Sunday School was a relatively new innovation in his era, and perhaps not performed all that well. But Murphy has plenty of wisdom and advice about how a pastor should oversee and participate in that vital ministry (at a level of engagement higher than nearly any pastor's today).
Excellent work for any pastor--and thanks for the recommendation, Lig.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews