The Pastor As Scholar and the Scholar as Pastor Reflections on Life and Ministry by John Piper and D.A. Carson edited by Owen Strachan and David Mathis is a brilliant book that combines head and heart and calls for the embodiment of both theological depth and practical focus. This is a good book for every Pastor, teacher, Bible college student or seminarian to read.
In recent days there has been much conversation on the topic of pastor-theologian or pastor-scholar. Drs. Carson and Piper masterfully through their own testimony, experience, as well as Scriptural explanation explain the importance of being ministers that are committed to loving the Lord God with all of one’s heart, mind and strength.
Drs. Carson and Piper have deeply impacted my own life, thought and ministry, and as such I cannot think of a better book that demonstrates not only their gifts which the Lord has blessed them with but their pastoral wisdom. As I read this book as a seminary student, I felt I was being pastored by both men.
Dr. Piper calls for two things in this book: first he describes his emergence as one who thinks and feels deeply about the things of God and then speaks and writes about them. Finally he describes how thinking serves the feeling in the ministry of the Word. Dr. Carson calls for scholars to pastor their students not just be writers and teachers of the Word but also doers—walking alongside of their students by praying with them, building relationships with them and ministering to them.
This is an outstanding book that is not only biblical but filled with the testimony of two men who have impacted the lives of scores of Pastors, teachers, Professors and Bible College and seminary students around the world. I encourage you to pick up this book—read it slowly, think deeply and reflect on how the words of Drs. Carson and Piper might impact your own ministry presently and into the future.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Crossway as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
