Pastoral Theology: Is it an Oxymoron?

Authors

  • Chris Simon Southern Cross College

Abstract

The tension between theory and practice is an issue that has challenged the church throughout the ages and explains the vexed question of biblical inspiration that confronted the Reformers. That question was whether or not to include the letter of James in the canon of Scripture, as the practical aspects of James’ ‘works’ appeared to contradict the strong ‘faith’ emphasis of Romans. The Reformation centred very much on the ‘faith’ as outlined in Romans in contrast to the perceived distortions of ‘works’ as practiced by the church at that time.4 It’s swing to the Pauline, and away from the Johannine, Lukan, and other New Testament literature, obscured the linkage between community practice and the theology which ordered the early Church.

Author Biography

Chris Simon, Southern Cross College

Chris Simon has been at Southern Cross College since August 1998. Prior to that he was in pastoral ministry for thirty years and was also a part-time faculty member of the Charles Sturt School of Theology. Training at St John's College in Morpeth, NSW. Chris subsequently earned degrees through the University of New England, Fuller Seminary and the Sydney College of Divinity. He is head of the Department of Pastoral Theology & Practice and looks after curriculum development. Married to Kathryn a trained nurse, they have three adult children.

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Published

2001-03-01

How to Cite

Simon, C. (2001). Pastoral Theology: Is it an Oxymoron?. Australasian Pentecostal Studies, (--). Retrieved from https://aps-journal.com/index.php/APS/article/view/31

Issue

Issue 4

Section

Articles

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