Product Description

Arguing that pastoral theology and care have long ignored Scripture and Christian doctrine and become secularized in both method and goal, Andrew Purves presents a Christological basis for ministry and pastoral theology. Purves reconstructs the discipline of pastoral theology by identifying two primary theological categories for pastoral work: Christology, in which Jesus is both the Word and act of God addressing us and the word and act of humankind addressing God and Calvin's doctrine of our union with Christ, which informs us that by the work of the Holy Spirit we are joined to Christ's mission from God to share in his ministry. In the second half of the book, Purves examines pastoral care in terms of our union with Christ and his ministry. He discusses the nature and authority of preaching, forgiveness of sins as the ministry of grace, the nature of God's presence as comfort, and the relationship between hope and social action.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #459271 in Books
• Published on: 2004-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780664227333
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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About the Author
Andrew Purves is the Hugh Thomson Kerr Professor of Pastoral Theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He is the author of "Pastoral Theology in Classical Tradition," coauthor of "Encountering God: Christian Faith in Turbulent Times," and coeditor of "A Passion for the Gospel," all published by Westminster John Knox Press.

Customer Reviews

A Must Read for All Ministry
As a seminary student as well as a student of Andrew Purves, this book is a must read. While it is weighty in the material presented, the Christological Hermeneutic helps open the conception and role of Jesus Christ in all ministry.

UUuuuggggghhhhhh!
Very tough and methodical read. Purves is redundant in many of his chapters. His points are generally good, but he says in many words that which can be understood in few. I found a better book of his is "The Crucifixion of Ministry." It has many of the same discussion points at a quarter of the pages. Pastoral Theology is a very difficult read and not worth the time invested to complete.

Radical Reconstruction
I had been privy to some of Purves' lectures leading up to this book, and I was eagerly anticipating its publication. It is simply one of the most important books out there for Christian theology. For Purves it is a matter of getting Jesus Christ right - I have seen nowhere "righter" as an interpretation of Scripture and our history and traditions. He is right on, and his insights have challenged me and my ministry in a radical way. Being "in Christ" will never mean the same. I owe this work a great deal.