Preacher or Theologian?

Chat viewable by general public

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
JoeyKnothead
Banned
Banned
Posts: 20879
Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:59 am
Location: Here
Has thanked: 4093 times
Been thanked: 2573 times

Preacher or Theologian?

Post #1

Post by JoeyKnothead »

What's the difference twixt a preacher and a theologian?

I googled it and the closest I got was:

1. A preacher is a proclaimer of the word of God.
2. A Priest represents the people before God.
3. A Pastor is the shepherd of a flock, that is the leader of a church. He guides his flock in a life in Christ.
4. There is only one Father, and that is our Father in heaven. I know that Catholic priests are referred to as Father.

So what's a theologian? I'm thinking they just study and don't go about preaching, but I'm a simpleton, I know I'm missing something here. If a theologian holds a lecture, has he just become a preacher?
I might be Teddy Roosevelt, but I ain't.
-Punkinhead Martin

User avatar
McCulloch
Site Supporter
Posts: 24063
Joined: Mon May 02, 2005 9:10 pm
Location: Toronto, ON, CA
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: Preacher or Theologian?

Post #2

Post by McCulloch »

A theologian is a scholar who studies theology. In an informal sense then, every preacher, evangelist, pastor and priest must be so some degree a theologian. But the term is usually reserved for those who have formally studied and written about theology in an academic capacity. For modern theologians, look for a degree (Master of Theological Studies, Master of Divinity, Master of Theology, Master of Sacred Theology, Doctor of Theology, Doctor of Divinity, Doctor of Sacred Theology or Doctor of Philosophy).

A theologian can preach or not. Many Roman Catholic theologians are priests. The categories are not mutually exclusive.

Notice how I have answered the question about what distinguishes a theologian from preacher, evangelist, minister, pastor and priest without actually addressing what is theology.
Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.
First Epistle to the Church of the Thessalonians
The truth will make you free.
Gospel of John

Post Reply