In a recent episode of the always thoughtful and insightful Holy CofE podcast, theologian Hans Boersma was interview. Boersma - who belonged to the Reformed tradition - recently received episcopal orders, being ordained a priest in the Anglican tradition. One particular line from the interview struck me. Addressing the vocation of the theologian, Boersma said: There is no, it seems to me, better way to do that than to be a priest in the Church. This, of course, does not deny that there other ways which are as equally good and proper: the lay theologian in the academy or the lay theologian in the service of the Church. It does, however, suggest that the office and work of the priest is inherently caught up with the vocation of the theologian. The vocation of the theologian in this context is not to publish but, rather, to take seriously the stuff of theology, what Thomas Aquinas calls sacra doctrina . And it is Thomas who provides us with the key definitio...
Old High - Burkean - clerk in holy orders