Theology, Church, and Ministry: A Handbook for Theological Education

by David S. Dockery (editor)

We live in a precarious time when many are questioning the necessity of formal theological education for ministers.  Theology, Church, and A Handbook for Theological Education  helps readers understand the critical role theological education plays in equipping God-called ministers for service in the church. This distinct resource explains both the development and purpose of theological education as well as its role in student formation. The contributors include outstanding thinkers and leaders in the field of theological education, including Con Campbell, Tim Tennent, Mark Bailey, Kevin Vanhoozer, Dan Block, Robert Smith, Dana Harris, Malcolm Yarnell, Danny Akin, and Greg Wills, among others.
 

464 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2017

Reviews

[Jonathan Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had this three-and-a-half years ago…

This is a book that I wish I had in the summer of 2014, right before I entered seminary and solidified my formal theological education towards the glory of God and the edification of the local church. Not only is this book informative, theological, and doctrinally sound, it is also incredibly practical, in that it has “Questions for Further Reflection” and additional resources at the end of each section, forcing the reader to think more about each chapter. As I said, I wish I had this book some three-and-a-half years ago…maybe I would have made a few different decisions.

“Theological education must be academically sound; it must be grounded in the Scriptures; it must be Christ centered; and it must be ministry and mission focused.” (p4).

In Three Sections:
This work is broken up into three sections, of which the first of those is:

THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION: AN INTRODUCTION

This section covers what the title is: an introduction to theological education. It delves into every aspect of going to school, from funding to why; from discipleship, one’s personal calling, all the way to how it will affect the spiritual formation of a person. Reading through this is something that I think goes unsaid: It’s already known (or should be) but not always vocalized/put down on paper. It was refreshing to read through the basics, as far too often the basics are left behind. I know in basketball, even the professionals, practice the basics on a regular basis. So, why shouldn’t we as Christians.

THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION: SHAPE OF MINISTRY PREPARATION

This section, which fills a majority of the pages of this book (more than the first and third combined), plays out as if it were an introductory course to all one’s seminary courses, whether they are going for their Masters of Divinity(MDiv) or Masters in Theological Studies (MTS). These chapters are strategically ordered in such a way that it would be how you would study through various theological topics. Topics ranging from Inspiration, Authority and Canonicity all the way through Ethics and everything in between (languages, NT and OT Theology, systematic theology, etc.).
Seriously, I really wish I had this book before I went to seminary.

THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION: CHURCH AND MINISTRY

In this section, it really ties it all together and applies it to ministering within the context of the local church. In essence, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has it right when they say all they do is “For The Church”.

From the third section, In my humble opinion, comes Chapter Nineteen, titled “Theology, Worldview Formation, and Cultural Engagement” by Owen Strachan. This chapter is one of the most important chapters in this book, if not THE most important. Here, Dr. Strachan brings the aforementioned topics (the chapter title) and how they will impact all believers in this day and age, and the many days and weeks and years to come. Engaging our culture from a properly informed Christian worldview emphasizes the importance of Biblical, theological, and doctrinal literacy, something that is greatly lacking amongst many churches. This book in its entirety helps bring that which lacks into focus, a focus on training up men and women For The Church who are well prepared to face the upcoming struggle and bring new color to such dark and dreary times that we are now living in.

In Conclusion….
Another major thing to note is the wide variety of scholarly authors that came together to contribute to such an important work. I say “important work” because I can see this becoming a go-to book to be given to those who are considering a seminary education, whether it be for a pastoral role or not. I greatly appreciate this book and the chance to read and review it post-seminary, thus I can only imagine the benefits it will give the reader who reads this before they being seminary.

[Lee Button · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Dockery has not just edited a book; he has organized a library. TCM intends to “show the importance of theological education for the church, and the importance of each subject for the work of theological education.” (from the preface)
Each subject of the book is carefully explained, cogently stated, and clearly applied.
Mark Bailey offers “compelling benefits of equipping students with a working comprehension of the whole Bible.” (p 26) Michael Duduit’s summary of the Call to Ministry improves our understanding of general and specific calls to serve. The role of theology in spiritual formation is often ignored; Dana Harris challenges that oversight. There are academic chapters on the inspiration of Scripture, original languages and why a knowledge of them matters, Old and New Testament survey and theology, apologetics and ethics.
Eric Tully points to the “difficulty of the OT” as “more reason to study it, not less.” Daniel Block lists seven categories that help us distinguish ‘First Testament’ theology from other theological forms by telling us what it is not. On developing a theological construct from Scripture, Kevin Vanhoozer simply suggests that “learning how to read the Bible is arguably one of the most important things a seminary has to teach its students.” That does not always happen.
Malcolm Yarnell explains his role as professor of systematic theology- “theology is talk about God. And systematic theology is where we talk about God in a comprehensive way.” He then proceeds to demonstrate that theology, far from dusty books and dry clichés, is “to love God with the whole inner person, as Jesus commanded” and is “not just abstract items in the intellect.” (page 259) I believe that is an approach too often neglected.
Gregory Willis proves that history has power to teach us with its insights into scriptural truth by surveying the eras of church history. That history should not simply be remembered, but retold.
Chapter 17 on theology, preaching, and pastoral ministry begins to tie everything together. The summary of the necessity of biblical exposition is simple and transferable.
Theological education teaches students to engage the culture (p384) and equips for evangelism. If any doubt still exists about the value of theological education, and particularly seminary training, Daniel Akin dispels that doubt with his 15 axioms.
Each chapter ends with discussion questions, a practical bonus for serious enquirers.
A few chapters may seem too long but given the volume of the task this forgivable.
If this book is on your shelf you have access to most of the answers for why we need education in theology.

[Carsten Kates · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great theological handbook on the many topics and disciplines within Theology, Church and Ministry.