The Lutheran Pastor
Overview
The Lutheran Pastor was written to guide pastors in the differences of Lutheran theology and to provide the interpretive techniques, skills, and tools a Lutheran pastor needs to lead their congregation. George Henry Gerberding states that “the object of a pastoral theology is to enable men to be true pastors. They cannot learn it all from books. Neither can they afford to ignore the help of good books. Let them master the basic principles, learn from the experience of others, and then, especially, from their own experience, how to apply them. Right conduct and action should always grow from right principles.” This text draws from Gerberding’s experiences from his 20 years of ministry—his successes, his failures, the challenges he faced, and his reflections. The differences in a pastor’s theology determines how he or she leads and ministers to a congregation. This text is intended to specifically guide Lutheran pastors through adherence to Lutheran theology and scriptural interpretations. Gerberding says “. . . while the Reformed Christian, like the Lutheran Christian, believes in the necessity and efficacy of divine grace for salvation, the latter has views and convictions different from the former as to the means and methods through which that grace works. This must necessarily affect his whole administration of these means.” The Lutheran Pastor provides an excellent guide for Lutheran pastors and scholars, and for the non-Lutheran it offers an informative examination of the specifics of Lutheran pastoral theology.
Top Highlights
“His calling, enlightening, and saving Word. That Word of Reconciliation was first brought to man by God Himself. He Himself was the first shepherd or pastor to go out after the lost sheep.” (Page 18)
“A second and even more important natural endowment is a strong, vigorous mind.” (Page 48)
“As a third native endowment for the ministry we mention common sense.” (Page 50)
“The bearer of this office is sometimes called pastor, at other times teacher, then presbyter or elder, and again episcopos or bishop. These are different names for the same office.” (Page 31)
“There are two forms of this ministry. One is the ministry of the Word, the other is the ministry of mercy” (Page 28)
- Title: The Lutheran Pastor
- Author: G. H. Gerberding
- Edition: Second Edition
- Publisher: Lutheran Publication Society
- Print Publication Date: 1902
- Logos Release Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Pastoral theology › Lutheran Church
- Resource ID: LLS:LTHRNPSTR2ND
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-12T04:26:21Z
Reviews
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Phil Owen
10/5/2023
Is it not unfair to Gerberding in the Overview to make this statement: "The differences in a pastor’s theology determines how he or she leads and ministers to a congregation". "he or she"? Gerberding was a 19th century Lutheran theologian. What's your proof that he advocated for female pastors? You should not mis-represent the views of dead men who can no longer defend themselves.