Book Review on PMIN 840 Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry by Thomas C. Oden

Book Review on PMIN 840 Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry by Thomas C. Oden

Introduction

The recovery and restoration of pastoral theology as a part of pivotal text for over twenty-five years is known as genuinely churchly discipline and not a managerial or clinical undertaking. This book Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry by Thomas Oden has been written within the context of the definition of pastoral theology. This definition of pastoral theology implies that it seeks to assemble theoretical framework with practical approaches as it is a pastoral discipline. The theoretical foundation to such an extent looks for the development of a fundamental consistent theory of ministry which is also responsible for Scripture with experiential traditional and internally self-consistent. This book do not only depicts objective description or theoretical statement about ministry. It also explains about practical discipline which has focus towards implementation of concrete pastoral tasks regardless of only defining them. The improved theory of ministry provides immediate or adjacent objective.

This miniature book looks to address issues and concerns of author for the practice of pastoral care. Pastoral theology or pastoral care is one of the large uninformed by all the historical practice. The author has identified about the need for the fundamental working assumptions for all the profound reappraisal in the context of pastoral theology. It also needs to look for the application of wisdom and authentic gleaned from all the five figures in the history of church. These five fundamentals include Richard Baxter, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory the Great, John Chrysostom, and Martin Bucer.

This book review stretches a critical overview about the book through discussion on different sections and its chapters that are present in it. The book introduces about pastoral theology with first chapter revealing about discovery of pastoral identity, meaning of ordination, call to ministry, and status of women in the pastoral office for becoming a minister. The second chapter provides information on the pastoral office by describing about shepherding, the offices, and gifts of ministry. The third chapter provides evident information on responsibilities and associated reasons for Clergy. It further extends to explain about pastoral visitation, admonition, and work of Holy Spirit in Comfort under last chapter i.e. Pastoral Counsel .

In short, this is much-needed and most recommended book that completely integrates all the principles of leadership, theology, and pastoral care for the restoration of definitely defined pastoral identity of ministers. It transforms from critique on insufficient models for ministry from community organizers to television evangelist with more classical model. This book has adapted much of its knowledge from theology and faith of Christianity with all present needs through the ages. This book stands as a orientation and standard resource in the field.

Summary of the Book

The literary writings of Thomas Clark Oden are considered to be tools for the promotion of Classical Christianity. The opening sentences preface, and introduction of this literature of Thomas ...