Too often pastoral care is uninformed by historical practice and is overly influenced by psychological theory and practice, according to Andrew Purves. At least one consequence of this is that it is often disaffiliated from the church's theological heritage. Purves examines Christian writers from the past who represent the classical tradition in pastoral theology--classical in the sense that they and their texts have shaped the minds and practices of pastors in enduring ways. He reflects on texts from Gregory Nazianzus, John Chrysostom, Gregory the Great, Martin Bucer, and Richard Baxter. He includes a brief biography of each author, introduces the major themes in the writer's theology, and discusses the issues arising for pastoral work.

Pastoral Theology in the Classical Tradition

Religion & Spirituality

Purves, Andrew

Christian Books & Bibles

Westminster/John Knox Press

In this helpful introduction, the authors focus on the basic issues of Christian Faith as filtered through contemporary experience: the mystery of faith, justification and sanctification, salvation, sin, the sacraments, hope, and joy. Ideal for group or individual study, this guide brings these doctrines to life and helps readers understand their relevance in day-to-day experience.

Encountering God: Christian Faith in Turbulent Times

PARTEE, CHARLES

In Pastoral Care in the Classical Tradition, Andrew Purves argued that pastoral care and theology has long ignored Scripture and Christian doctrine, and pastoral practice has become secularized in both method and goal, the fiefdom of psychology and the social sciences. He builds further on this idea here, presenting a christological basis for ministry and pastoral theology.

Reconstructing Pastoral Theology: A Christological Foundation

The meaning of compassion is more than just sympathy, empathy, pity, and concern. Compassion has a theological meaning. In this book, Andrew Purves sees compassion as the center of pastoral care, holding theology, spirituality, and ministry together. He examines how a renewed compassion gives ministry shape and content which "grows out of the life of God, and God's care for the world."

The Search for Compassion: Spirituality and Ministry

As a pastor, do you ever get the feeling that no matter what you try, nothing much seems to change? That is because the ministries themselves are not redemptive--they are not up to you. Only Jesus' ministry is redemptive. Jesus has to "show up." Theologian Andrew Purves explores at the deepest level the true and essential nature of Christian ministry. He says that the attempt to be an effective minister is a major problem. Ministers are "in the way." He radically claims that ministries need to be crucified. They need to be killed off so that Christ can make them live. Rooting church service in Christ's own continuing ministry, Purves provides a vision for students and practicing clergy to reclaim the vital connection between Christ and participation in his ministry today, even if it means letting Christ put to death the ministries to which pastors cling so closely. A radical appraisal for a critical malady affecting the life of the Christian church written in plain, down-to-earth language.

The Crucifixion of Ministry: Surrendering Our Ambitions to the Service of Christ

Many who go into ministry with expectancy and optimism find instead discouragement and regret. Is there a hope for renewal, for a new taste of God's grace in serving his people? With Christ, Andrew Purves reminds us, we move beyond ministry in the mood of Holy Saturday to ministry in the mood of Easter Sunday. And there we find the true basis of hope in ministry. Purves, a seasoned teacher of practical theology, offers a profound look at the nature of spiritual service that gets beyond superficial critiques and simplistic techniques. He points to true, deep joy and hope as we share in Christ's continuing ministry.

The Resurrection of Ministry: Serving in the Hope of the Risen Lord

Andrew Purves, the author of many works in pastoral theology, has spent his life exploring the significance of Jesus Christ for the life of the church. As a professor of historical theology, he has also investigated the significance of patristic and Reformed theology for understanding Christ. In Exploring Christology and Atonement, Purves brings these concerns together. If pastoral theology is about the person and work of Christ, then the study of Christology and atonement is essential to the ministry of the church. Drawing on his own Scottish heritage, Purves engages in a critical conversation about Christ?s person and work with three eminent Scottish theologians whose legacy stretches over two hundred years: John McLeod Campbell, Hugh Ross Mackintosh and Thomas Forsyth Torrance. Purves shows how their respective contributions to our understanding of Jesus Christ shape and inform the practice of the faith. The ministry of the church is rooted first and foremost in the ministry of God.

Exploring Christology and Atonement: Conversations with John McLeod Campbell, H. R. Mackintosh and T. F. Torrance

IVP Academic

Though not an official Church statement Union in Christ is, nevertheless, a considered statement of faith and worthy of study and reflection by thoughtful Christians. Indeed, as such it stands in a long line of faith statements in the Reformed tradition... while not a statement of the whole Church, Union in Christ is a declaration of faith that has grown out of a significant gathering of Presbyterians. It is an important contribution to the Church's ongoing conversation about its faith and life. The commentary and study questions will be useful to the whole Church as it seeks to grow in faith, hope, and love." --from the introduction by Joseph Small, Director, Office of Theology and Worship, PCU.S.A. "This superb, beautifully written book is an explanation of the believer's union with Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. The doctrine of union with Christ and Christ's life in us was central to the teaching of John Calvin about regeneration and justification, election and resurrection, for it is union with him and his union with us that links everything in the Christian life together. In and through him we become children of the heavenly Father, and share his life and love in the communion of the Holy Trinity. This is timely declaration for the Church today, for it puts proper evangelical and triniitarian belief back in the center of the Church's life, and union with Christ clothed with his Gospel to its place of power in the daily witness and of the Church."--The Very Rev. Professor Thomas F. Torrance

Union in Christ: A Declaration for the Church

Achtemeier, Mark

Presbyterian Church USA

Andrew Purves was born in 1912 in the parish of Linton, near Kelso, Roxburghshire. His boyhood ambition was to become a shepherd like his father before him and during a long career he worked on farms in the vicinity of Kelso as well as Berwickshire and Glas Water, and over the border in Glendale and Otterburn. His career spanned a period of sweeping changes in the structure of agricultural communities and of rural life, during which the countryside of his childhood and youth has altered almost beyond recognition.

A Shepherd Remembers (Flashbacks series)

Biographies & Memoirs

Historical

Tuckwell Press, Ltd.

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