Center for Pastor Theologians Journal 13, 1 (2026)

The Center for Pastor Theologians Journal (formerly the Bulletin of Ecclesial Theology) is published bi-annually by the Center for Pastor Theologians.

The latest volume carries the below essays on a theology of the Spirit.

The essays are available from here, or the whole journal can be downloaded as a pdf from here.

Adam Copenhaver

What Is Preaching?

This paper constructs a definition of preaching so that we can both better appreciate the role of preaching in the life of the church and better discern what it means to preach well. As we proceed, we will consider (1) the problem with terminology, (2) three levels of word ministry and where preaching fits within them, (3) a proposed definition of preaching, and (4) warnings regarding making too much and too little of preaching.

Paul J. Morrison

Cultivating the Unity of the Spirit: A Pneumatological Case for Triage

This essay argues that the task of theological triage is a work of the Holy Spirit and that the church is called to foster its unity by keeping to that task. The essay does not seek to make a distinct contribution to triage’s traditional categories; it will employ the basic descriptions of primary, secondary, and tertiary doctrines. Instead, it will aim to capture the essential truths of the argument for triage, make claims informed by those truths which need not be adopted universally, and offer practical applications which will hopefully bear fruit in any given ecclesial context.

Jim Samra

Should Solomon Have Asked for Something Else? The Holy Spirit and Preaching

Reflecting on Solomon’s request for wisdom and subsequent descent into folly, this article asks if Solomon should have asked for something else, namely, the Holy Spirit. Working through both Old and New Testament passages, the article argues in the affirmative. The better request for the Holy Spirit is then applied to pastoral ministry, specifically the preaching vocation, to encourage pastors to seek the Spirit as they labor to serve the church.

Austin Shaw

Can a Pastor Grow in Discernment?

This paper argues that while a pastor may or may not grow in certain rhetorical skills, he can grow in knowing the members of his congregation, studying the shared social context of his local church, and applying Scripture into their present situations.

Book Reviews

Kirsten Birkett on Class and Evangelicalism in Britain

Cambridge Papers are published once a quarter (or thereabouts) and address a wide range of topics, offering ‘Christian reflection on contemporary issues’.

The latest paper is available online here (from where a pdf can be downloaded here):

Kirsten Birkett, ‘Class and evangelicalism in Britain’, Cambridge Papers 35, 1 (March 2026).

Here is the summary:

‘Class in Britain is easy to understand in broad outline but very complicated in practice. This paper surveys ways in which class can be understood in twenty-first-century Britain, and some of the biblical material concerning class and wealth. It identifies a problem for British evangelicals: their evangelism is not reaching the working classes. It is suggested that there is a need to challenge existing evangelical church culture as well as making a concerted effort to plant more churches for working-class people.’

Sophie de Witt on Contentment

Every so often, The Good Book Company make available digital versions of one of their books at no charge. At the moment (April 2026) it’s Compared to Her: How to Experience True Contentment by Sophie de Witt – exploring our struggles with ‘Compulsive Comparison Syndrome’ and applying gospel truths to help us find true contentment.

The book is available in exchange for an email address here.

The Resurrection and the Life

Following on from Good Friday, here’s another hymn from John Newton for Easter Sunday. This was published in the Olney Hymns, 1779, Bk. i., No. 116, under the title ‘The Resurrection and the Life’.

Notice the first three stanzas are set around by quotation marks, with Christ addressing the believer, to which the rest of the hymn then provides a response.

“I am,” says Christ, “your glorious Head,”

(May we attention give,)

“The Resurrection of the dead,

The life of all that live.

“By faith in me the soul receives

New life, though dead before;

And he that in my name believes,

Shall live to die no more.

“The sinner sleeping in his grave

Shall at my voice awake,

And when I once begin to save,

My work I’ll ne’er forsake.”

Fulfil thy promise, gracious Lord,

On us assembled here;

Put forth thy Spirit with the word,

And cause the dead to hear.

Preserve the power of faith alive

In those who love thy name;

For sin and Satan daily strive

To quench the sacred flame.

Thy power and mercy first prevailed

From death to set us free;

And often since our life had failed,

Had it not been in thee.

To thee we look, to thee we bow,

To thee for help we call;

Our Life and Resurrection thou,

Our Hope, our Joy, our All.

Looking at the Cross

For this year’s Good Friday, here’s one from John Newton.

This was published in the Olney Hymns, 1779, Bk. ii., No. 57, under the title ‘Looking at the Cross’.

In spite of it being one of his lesser-known hymns, it carries his trademarks. Note the preponderance of monosyllabic words and the theologically-informed piety.

In my home church back in the day, we sung it with a refrain after each verse:

O, can it be, upon a tree

The Saviour died for me?

My soul is thrilled, my heart is filled,

To think He died for me!

In evil long I took delight,

Unawed by shame or fear,

Till a new object struck my sight,

And stopped my wild career:

I saw One hanging on a Tree,

In agonies and blood,

Who fix’d His languid eyes on me,

As near His Cross I stood.

Sure never, till my latest breath,

Can I forget that look:

It seem’d to charge me with His death,

Though not a word He spoke:

My conscience felt and owned the guilt,

And plunged me in despair,

I saw my sins His blood had spilt,

And helped to nail Him there.

Alas! I knew not what I did!

But now my tears are vain;

Where shall my trembling soul be hid?

For I the Lord had slain!

A second look He gave, which said,

‘I freely all forgive;

This blood is for thy ransom paid;

I die, that thou may’st live.’

Thus, while His death my sin displays,

In all its blackest hue,

Such is the mystery of grace,

It seals my pardon too.

With pleasing grief, and mournful joy,

My spirit now is fill’d,

That I should such a life destroy,

Yet live by Him I kill’d.