In what way is evangelicalism's prevailing pastoral emphasis -- from church job postings for pastoral positions to the Leadership cottage industry -- like Israel's asking for a king? And in what way is Saul, the king they got, like the pastoral type we most champion?
Is it possible evangelicalism is asking for a king (and getting what it asks for) all the while we should be cultivating within each other a desire for Saul's successor? Namely, a shepherd.
Just thinking aloud here.
6 comments:
Jared—you're freaking me out, man! I was *just* thinking that same thought yesterday and wondered if that would make a good essay. To answer your question, I think you are on to something here. I don't think the OT account is a one-off issue, but rather a theme: God wants to be our king and His Kingdom supreme. But, the human heart in it's fallen nature wants to follow a man and in so doing settles for worse than less. It allows itself to be brought into a kind of bondage.
Excellent thought and question. Thanks Jared.
Re: your out loud thoughts. BOOM.
Namely, a shepherd
Or perhaps even a group of shepherds.
Wait, just realized you may have been talking about Christ when you mentioned "a shepherd". If so, my previous comment probably comes across a little strange. I initially thought you were talking about the type of pastors we need.
No, Brian, you were right the first time. I had "type of pastors" in mind. Your point about "group of shepherds" is a good one and well taken.
Your follow-up is great too. The more we cultivate among ourselves dependence on the Good Shepherd, the less will be our taste for the pastorpreneurial king-types.
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