Winter 1988

ARTICLE TOOLS

Find similar articles E-mail this page

Back to the Basics

Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity by Eugene H. Peterson, Eerdmans, $7.95

Reviewed by James D. Berkley, associate editor, LEADERSHIP

Those of you who think you know Eugene Peterson, beware! Although he was described in Christianity Today as a Protestant contemplative, a "monk out of habit," somewhere the gentle pastor, meek and mild, found a set of verbal brass knuckles, which he uses with ferocity in his latest book, Working the Angles.

"American pastors are abandoning their posts at an alarming rate," he writes. "They are not leaving their churches and getting other jobs. … they are abandoning their posts, their calling. They have gone whoring after other gods. … The pastors of America have metamorphosed into a company of shopkeepers. … They are preoccupied with shopkeepers' concerns-how to keep the customers happy, how to lure customers away from competitors down the street, how to package the goods so that the customers will lay out more money. … And there must be any number of shopkeepers who by now are finding the pottage that they acquired in exchange for their ordination birthright pretty tasteless stuff and are growing wistful for a restoration to their calling."

Why the brass-knuckles beginning? "I was mad," Peterson replied in a telephone interview. "I get so discouraged and angry when I see the abandonment of the essential pastoral tasks. And I suppose I'm still trying to make some sense of what I have chosen to do, what I've found essential in ministry."

...

Then what is our calling?

Peterson sets out a "trigonometry of ministry," complete with three sides and three angles. The sides are the pastoral tasks-preaching, teaching, and administration. These ...

Like the preview? To read this complete article and 20,358 more in the archive—JOIN NOW! Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history. Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
It's easy and quick to join: 2-for-1 Deal. Two powerful resources for 1 great price! A 1-Year Membership to CTLibrary & a 1-year print subscription to the magazine of your choice! Enjoy your first 7days online FREE! Only $49.95 1-Year Membership Plus your first 7 days are FREE! You won't be charged until after your free trial. Only $49.95 1-Month Membership Includes automatic renewal each month. Only $9.95 1-Year for Print Subscribers Special offer if you are currently a print subscriber to Christianity Today, Leadership journal, Books & Culture or Christian History & Biography. Only $29.95 first year Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l		FREE e-Newsletter! Even if you're not a member you can take advantage of the free "Christian News & Research" twice monthly e-newsletter! Sign up today for the FREE e-newsletter!   Note: Members also automatically receive this free e-newsletter.