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Pastoral Ministry according to Paul: A Biblical Vision, James W. Thompson, Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006, 174 pp.
There is a tendency in Seminaries to study subjects such as counselling, church administration and social relations but to neglect pastoral theology. This is a pity because this subject deals with the work of the pastor as described by Paul, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” (Acts 20:28). That is it concerns the spiritual life of the pastor and his work within the congregation.
Thompson’s book shows again the close connection between the use of the Bible and the ministry. He demonstrates Paul’s pastoral concerns in his letters to the Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians and 1 Thessalonians. In these writings the apostle shows the aim of the ministry to be that of personal and community transformation.
What is particularly interesting about this book is the use of rhetorical criticism in the analysis of the Scriptures. So for example, the letter to the Philippians can be divided into:
Exordium (Introduction: the pastoral vision) 1:1-11
Narratio (Narrative: Paul as a model of Christian conduct) 1:12-26
Proposito (Argument proposed: Living worthily of the gospel) 1:27-30
Probatio (Development of the argument: Making the case for unity) 2:1-4:3
Peroratio (Summary of the argument: the transformation) 4:4-20
Controversially Thompson rejects the traditional interpretation of Romans as centered on justification by faith, and advocates that his focus is on the transformation of communities of faith. “The consistent theme in all of Paul’s letters is a theology of transformation that provides the foundation for his pastoral ambition.” (p. 150) and “Pauline pastoral theology challenges the contemporary focus on the individual and emphasizes community formation.” (p. 156)
The challenge of this publication lies in its combination of a new theological perspective about Paul, the use of rhetorical criticism and the production of a pastoral vision for transformation. It shows the value of uniting biblical theology and pastoral theology.
David Ford, Profesor del Nuevo Testamento, Fundación Universitaria Seminario Bíblico de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia