Written by R. A. Miller |
Thursday, May 30, 2024
Pastors and Their Critics begins with a scriptural foundation, allowing the further comments by Beeke and Thompson to stand firm on previously expounded texts. Further concepts explored in this book include: how to receive and respond to pastoral criticism, constructive criticism, coping with criticism, and preparing for criticism while in seminary. These later chapters are a practical complement to the theological insight gained by the opening section and will prepare the faithful minister for future conflict.

Ministers may face many discouragements as they attempt to shepherd their congregations. Pastors might have to reconcile parties that are at odds with one another, wade through difficult doctrinal issues, or perform funerals of beloved members who die unexpectedly. While all these events can be discouraging for the man of God, one ministry problem is seldom discussed: criticism. Stinging words from congregants may anger or dishearten the preacher on the receiving end of such remarks and these comments have undoubtedly been used by Satan to rattle those who hear them. Proverbs 12:18 compares words spoken rashly to the thrusts of a sword, as they can pierce down to a man’s heart. With fault-finding being dangerous to those who guide the church, its leaders must be equipped and prepared to receive criticism.
Thankfully, Joel Beeke and Nick Thompson have written a helpful volume on this subject, released in 2020. This publication not only discusses the nature of criticism but also tells its readers how to give and receive criticism graciously. Acknowledging that this is a “largely unaddressed problem,” the authors aim to deal “comprehensively with the various dimensions of criticism in the Christian ministry from a biblical and Reformed perspective” (14). While those not in pastoral ministry may be initially disinterested in this offering, Beeke and Thompson note that “the main truths and principles found herein apply to every Christian and every vocation” (15). “None of us,” they argue, “are exempt from receiving and giving criticism” (15). Therefore, Pastors and Their Critics: A Guide to Coping with Criticism in the Ministry is a great aid for anyone seeking to learn more about handling and issuing reproof.
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Written by R. A. Miller |
Saturday, November 19, 2022
In one short paragraph, we see a great portrayal of Christ’s kingship. The Hodges’ main idea points to Christ’s rule over all the world. Since God cannot lie (quoting Numbers 23:19) and the reign of Jesus is promised, the children reason that the people should not be working against Christ. Instead, they should work to establish the Lord’s Kingdom in India by throwing out their idols and loving the true God. This depth of theological understanding is not only remarkable for a child to have but also foreshadows the theological prowess that the Princeton theologian would later exhibit.

If you know anything about A.A. Hodge, it’s probably that he was a Princeton theologian like his father, Charles Hodge. Being the son of such a notable Christian scholar, A.A. had a sharp yet Christ-centered mind, even at a young age. When he was just a boy, he wrote a touching letter with his sister addressing people of the great mission field of India. The letter was titled “Friends of the Heathen,” and was featured in the July 1887 edition of The Homiletic Review. The article is as follows:
The following is a most touching reminiscence of the late Dr. Hodge and his sister, when they were children: “A letter, yellow with age, lies on the table. It bears date June 23, 1833, and was sent to India in the care of Rev. Dr. James R. Eckard, then a missionary in that far-away land. It was written by a boy ten years old. That boy became a missionary himself—was a pastor in this country—and was esteemed the most eminent theologian of his day. Recently he heard the summons to a higher service; and “was not, for God took him.” Subjoined is the child’s note—suggestive of the impressions which youthful minds are capable of receiving:
“DEAR HEATHEN: The Lord Jesus Christ hath promised that the time shall come when all the ends of the earth shall be His Kingdom. And God is not a man that He should lie, nor the son of man that He should repent. And if this was promised by a Being who cannot lie, why do you not help it to come sooner, by reading the Bible, and attending to the words of your teachers; and loving God, and, renouncing your idols, take Christianity into your temples? 
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