Pastor as Scholar and Scholar as Pastor

John Piper and D.A. Carson put out a small little book called Pastor as Scholar and Scholar as Pastor. I picked it up about a week ago and tore through it in a few days. It is only a 150 pages so that’s not really impressive, but a good read nevertheless.

The book is essentially the two men telling their stories of how the academic fed the pastoral and vice-versa. Piper’s section was vibrant. I came away from his section of the book realizing one thing. Piper had come to know God in such a way that through his studies of the scripture that he was given an phrase that forever changed his ministry.

Now, before I go too far, Piper also found the life-altering truth of the gospel and Jesus Christ. The gospel remains the good news that forever changes everything for everyone. But Piper was also given this insight.

‘God is most glorified in us when were are most satisfied in him.’

Those that have followed Piper’s ministry have heard this phrase over and over and over. Indeed, in this short 80 page section, Piper must have repeated it 8 or 9 times. Piper came to this realization through his study of the word and great, Christian thinkers particularly Jonathan Edwards. Some quibble with the phrase and I’m not really here to debate it, but rather to marvel as the joy that Piper exudes simply from knowing this truth right down to his bones. I long to know God more than simply know about him. I long to know him well enough that I cannot do ought but praise him.

D.A. Carson was no slouch himself. He contended that seminary professors are quartermasters, they prepare the troops to go to the front lines. At the same time, he warns the ‘scholar’ to never remove himself too far from the local church. To be effective at preparing pastors, one must be intensely aware of the needs of the church. There is no way to do that except to be plugged in.