Review: Pastors and Their Critics by Joel
Pastors and their Critics by Joel Beeke
Book info
P. #: 164, 177 with an appendix
Author: Joel Beeke (b. 1952)
Life: Beeke was converted at age 14, he has pastored for over 45 years. Beeke received his bachelor's degree from Calvin College, later studied at Westminster Theological Seminary to receive his MDiv, and then finally, he studied at the University of Amsterdam to receive his PhD. He is the Chancellor and professor of homiletics and systematic theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He is the lead pastor of Heritage Reformed Congregation. Beeke also helped found the great book publisher and distributing company, Reformation Heritage Books.
General info about author: Beeke is pastor, theologian, author, professor, scholar, publisher, chancellor, husband, and father.
Overall Summary/review:
This book is an excellent book for both pastors and congregants (whether you’re a critic or not!) (read p. 9 Sinclair Ferguson).
This book is split into four parts (p. 14)
This book does several things that I really like and wanted to point out in this review. First, it grounds our understanding of criticism in Scripture. Throughout the first chapter, we find many, many Scripture references.
Second, it ground our understanding of criticism in experience (p. 10)
Third, it grounds our understanding of criticism in Christ (p. 39).
Fourth, it gives practical advice for receiving criticism and ways on how to give criticism to lay people and pastors alike.
Fifth, it has a wide variety of quotations from both ancient and modern theologians. This is both helpful in gathering an historical view of criticism but also may serve as an introduction to certain theologians or authors you aren’t familiar with.
Sixth, there are several very helpful lists of questions for self reflection (p. 79, 107)
Seventh, this book offers dozens of examples of pastors and critics throughout the book. Seeing real-life examples and not just scenarios is helpful in understanding healthy and unhealthy responses to criticism.
The appendix in this book is also excellent (read headings, etc.)
Quotes: 19, 28, 35, 56, 62, 87, 117