Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry (Paperback)

by Thomas C. Oden (Author) "Movies and television show us faded stereotypes of the dissipated pasto office, often either a deceptive, money-grabbing, cornball funda bigot in a white suit or..." (more)
Key Phrases: pastoral theodicy, pastoral reasoning, pastoral consolation, Thomas Aquinas, Holy Spirit, New Testament (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This much-needed book fully integrates principles of pastoral care, leadership, and theology to restore to ministers a clearly defined pastoral identity. Moving from a critique of inadequate models for ministry -- from community organizer to T. V. evangelist -- Oden develops a more classical model, rich in its references to the past and compatible both with Christian faith and theology through the ages and with current needs.

Reconciling classical tradition with practice, Pastoral Theology will be a standard resource and reference in the field. Oden distills the best ideas of the two millennia of ecumenical Christian thinking concerning what pastors are and do. Pastoral Theology provides the foundational knowledge of the pastoral office requisite to the practice of ministry. It will be of interest to persons preparing for ordination in its review of key issues; at the same time, Pastoral Theology will appeal to all those who have considered entering the ministry, those who want to know more about what clergy do and why, and those ministers who want to review their ongoing work in the light of a systematic reflection on the pastoral gifts and tasks.

From the Publisher
Reconciling tradition with practice, this monumental resource fully integrates principles of pastoral care, leadership, and theology to restore to ministers a clearly defined pastoral identity.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1st edition (May 25, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060663537
• ISBN-13: 978-0060663537
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #193,198 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Use of the Christian Tradition, March 8, 2001

By	John B. Erthein "Pastor John" (Erie, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In today's Church, there often appears to be a conflict between those who are doctrinally strong and those who "care about people." Thomas Oden does an excellent service by showing that a Christian (especially a Pastor or Pastoral Counselor) can and should use the resources of the Christian tradition as a tool of compassionate ministry. Oden demonstrates that Church writers and theologians from the Apostolic, Patristic, Medieval and Reformation eras had a sound grasp of human psychology, and that their insights are valid today. One does not have to turn to secular or feel-good New Age spirituality to connect with individuals. The Christian tradition does have the answers if one is willing to look for them. Another strength of Oden's book is his ecumenical focus ... writers from Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions are consulted.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My! How Times Change!, March 8, 2004

By	R. Kirkham "jrkirkham" (Rushville, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

As a young ministry student I read this book for a class in pastoral theology. I remember how I highlighted numerous passages. I wrote little commentaries in the margins. In some places I agreed with the author, but in the majority I took the author to task. "This is wrong! This is short sighted! This is unscriptural! This is biased! etc."

As a middle-aged pastor I picked up my old copy and re-read it. Once again, placing my little commentaries in the margins, "He was right! Boy, was I dumb! Amen! Ouch! Preach it Brother! etc."

I think it took me a little while to catch on. This book is a classic. Every pastor should own a copy. No pastor should judge the book until he or she has spent a few years behind the sacred pulpit. I have no qualms about recommending this book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good addition to your pastoral library, March 15, 2002

By	Eric N. Landstrom (Bloomington, MN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Oden begins following through with his agenda for theologian's office first laid down in his book, Agenda for Theology (now published under the title, After Moderny, What?), by providing biblically oriented resources for the pastoral office. Oden unpacks the role of the pastoral office that it holds within the church by distilling the best ideas of the two millennia of ecumenical Christian thinking concerning what pastors are and do. Pastoral Theology provides the foundational building blocks of the pastoral office essential to the practice of ministry. Oden's book is primarily geared forthose who are interested or planning on entering the pastoral office. This book is also an informative resource for those interested in understanding what the clergy do and what pastoral care encompasses. For the American evangelical, this book (which now seems to have become a series of books) as well as "Biblical Eldership" (Alexander Strauch, 1995) and John MacArthur's "Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry" round out the pastoral library by presenting the Wesleyan, Brethren, and Reformed views of the teaching office within the church. I hold Oden's work the best of the bunch purely from the standpoint that he takes the time to include a historical survey of the teaching office throughout his work.