Teología Pastoral – Entrega 1

AKASH
11-10-22,
TRABAJOS DE CLASE

THE BIBLICAL ROOTS OF THE CHUECH’S PASTORAL

ACTION

INTRODUCTION
Pastoral theology concerns the church disciplines of religious education, pastoral care,
preaching, liturgy, mission, evangelism and social ministries. Pastoral theology being ‘to
reflect upon the self-disclosure of God witnessed by the Scriptures, mediated through
tradition, reflected on by critical reasoning, and embodied in personal and social experi-
ence.

THE TERM PASTOR

The term ‘pastor’ as used in this study, also relates to terms in diverse denominations
such as priest or minister of religion. In the New Testament There five different terms in
the New Testament referring to the pastoral office:
➢ Elder (Presbyter)- this title stresses the administration and spiritual guidance of
the church (Act 15:6; 1 Tim. 5:17; Jas. 5:14; 1 Pt 5:1-4);
➢ Bishop or Overseer (Episkopos) - which places emphasis on guidance, over-
sight, and leadership in the church (Act 20:28; Phi 1:1; 1 Tim 3:2-5; Tit 1:7);
➢ Shepherd or Pastor - is an office indicating leadership and authority (Acts 20:28-
31; Eph 4:11) and also guidance and provision (1 Pt 5:2-3; cf. 2:25);
➢ Preacher - one who publicly proclaims the gospel and teaching to the flock (Rom
10:14; 1 Tim 2:7; 2 Tim 1:11);
➢ Teacher – one who is accountable for training and description for the Scrip-
tures.1
BIBLICAL AND HISTORICAL ROOTS (OLD TESTAMENT)
AT. Yahweh, Chief and Father of Herd. Contrary to what is might think, Yahweh has
not nearly never the title of pastor: two designations ancient (Gen 49,24; 48,15) and two
invocations in the psalter (Sal 23,1; 80,2). The title seems reserved to the one who must
come. In change, if there is no allegorizing of the title over Yahweh, they can, without
However, describe in a parable of the good shepherd the relationships of God with his
people. At the time of exodus « led his people like sheep » (Ps 95,7), like «a flock in the
desert» (Sal 78,52): «as shepherd who tends his flock, gathers in her arms the lambs, he
puts them on his chest, drives to rest the mother sheep" (Is. 40:11), Yahweh continues to
"guide" thus to his people (Ps 80,2): true that Israel is more like a wild heifer than a lamb
in the meadow (Hos 4,16); must go into captivity (Jer 13,17). Then Yahweh of new will
“guide him to the spring waters » (Is 49,10), gathering the scattered sheep (Is 56,8), "whis-
tling at them » (Zec 10,8). shows the same application for each faithful in particular, who
lacks nothing and cannot fear nothing under the staff of God (Ps 23,1-4). Finally, your
mercy extends to all flesh (Eclo 18,13).2 The flock and its shepherds. The God trust the
sheep of their own herd (Ps 100.3; 79.13; 74.1; Mic 7,14) to his servants: he guides them
"by the hand of Moses» (Sal 77,21) and, to prevent "the community of Yahweh be without

1
Xolisa Jibiliza, The Evolution of Pastoral Care Ministry through the Ages, Pharos Jour-
nal of Theology ISSN 2414-3324 online Volume 102 - (2021). P.2.
2
X. L. Dufour, Vocabulario de Teología Bíblica, Herder, Barcelona 1980, P. 651.
a shepherd", designates Joshua as chief after Moses (Num 27.15-20); get David out of
after the herds of sheep so that patient his people (Sal 78,70; 2 Sa 5,2; 24.17).3 The pro-
phetic writings often address the complex pastoral dilemmas of God’s people. Hosea,
Isaiah 40 – 66, Haggai, speaks in rich pastoral tones concerning the unquenchable love
of God for his people in spite of their waywardness.4

BIBLICAL NEW TESTAMENT ROOTS

The Gospels have traditionally been seen as historical, theological or evangelistic doc-
uments, but contemporary approaches have shown a much greater awareness of their pas-
toral dimensions. Matthew’s Gospel raised issues of the meaning of discipleship and
called forth a pastoral strategy which emphasizes the teaching of Jesus. Mark’s strategy
is to portray the actions of Jesus, particularly in regard to the theme of suffering. John
20:31 Gospel’s speak to those pastoral situations by deep reflection on the life of Jesus
Christ by one who claims to have been an eyewitness.5

JESUS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD. Jesus is the perfect shepherd because he gives
his life for the sheep (Jn 10,15.17); Not only he is "wounded" (Mt 26,31; Zec 13,7), but
he himself gives his life (Jn 10, 18); the scattered sheep he gathers come from the fold of
Israel and from the nations (Jn 10.16; 11.52). Finally, the single herd thus assembled
remains united forever, because love of the almighty Father keeps him and guarantees
eternal life (Jn 10, 27-30).6

THE CHURCH AND ITS PASTORS’S ACTION. According to John, the sermon
of the Good Shepherd inaugurated the Church: Jesus welcomes the blind from birth cured,
expelled of the synagogue by the bad bosses From Israel. Peter, after Resurrection, re-
ceive the quest from shepherd the whole Church (Jn 21,16). To other shepherds (Eph
4,11) he takes charge watch over the Churches: they are the "elders" and the " epíscopoi
" (I Pe 5, l; Acts 20,28). An example of Lord they must seek the lost sheep (Mt 18,12),
watch against the devouring wolves that will not have considerations with the herd, those
false doctors that drag the heresy (Act 20,28). the name alone of "shepherd" should evoke
the qualities of the shepherds and the behavior of Yahweh in the OT; the NT remembers
some features: there is than shepherd the Church Je Dios with the start of the heart, in the
form disinterested (Ez 34,2), becoming models of the herd; then "You will be rewarded
for the sovereign shepherd» (I Pe 5,3).7

CONCLUSION
Jesus, faithful to biblical tradition, paint the merciful request of God with the traits of
the shepherd who goes in search of the lost sheep (Lk 15,4-7). However, Jesus in his
person is where the wait takes place of the good shepherd, and he is the one who delegates
to certain men a function ministry in the Church.

3
X. L. Dufour, Vocabulario de Teología Bíblica, P. 652.
4
D. J. Atkinson, D. F. Field, New Dictionary of Christian Ethics & Pastoral Theol-
ogy, InterVarsity Press, England, 1995 P. 48.
5
Ibid., P. 49. 2
6
X. L. Dufour, Vocabulario de Teología Bíblica, P. 653.
7
Ibid., P. 654.