Discernment in the Early Church and Today

An exploration of Paul’s role as a pastoral theologian in the early church.​ Through a close exegetical reading of Paul’s letters, this volume shows how Paul prioritized moral formation and community-building in his pastoral ministry and placed the practice of communal discernment in churches at the heart of life in the Spirit. Applying these fundamental insights for today’s churches, Lewis reclaims Paul’s primary pastoral emphasis on moral discernment and community-building, showing how this practice can be used in a variety of local church communities. Ideal for scholars and clergy interested in applying Paul’s pastoral theology to real contexts, the volume includes practical examples and strategies for engaging in a vibrant practice of spiritual discernment today.

John G. Lewis is Theologian in Residence for the Iona Collaborative at Seminary of the Southwest, where he teaches online and in-person courses in New Testament and congregational leadership. He was the seminary’s Director of the Iona Collaborative and Lecturer in New Testament and Spirituality. He has taught New Testament and spirituality courses in graduate schools, seminaries, dioceses, and congregations, and was adjunct instructor in New Testament at Trinity University in San Antonio. Lewis is also Co-Director of St. Benedict’s Workshop in San Antonio, a nonprofit ministry he founded in 2001 to help Christian communities use Scripture to practice discipleship and discernment in all areas of daily life. Lewis has served as Dean of Examining Chaplains for the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in New Testament from the University of Oxford, and an M.Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center. Lewis is the author of Looking for Life: The Role of “Theo-Ethical” Reasoning in Paul’s Religion (London: T&T Clark, 2005). He lives in San Antonio, Texas.