The doctrine of salvation, source of authority of the pastoral ministry: a dogmatic perspective

Abstract

In this scientific study on the doctrine of salvation, source of authority of pastoral ministry from a dogmatic perspective, the researcher’s main concern was the main concern was to highlight the essential elements that will help the servant of God to faithfully fulfil his calling to the pastoral. To comply with it, the pastor must take into consideration the act of creation according to which God had given authority to man over all creation. Man was undoubtedly God's substitute on earth. Notwithstanding his singularity at the first instances of his life, he subsequently named other creatures, a sign of authority that God had granted him. Man in relation to other creatures was the superior being, because of his dependence on his creator. This dependence made the harmony between God and man so strong that man could talk to God. We can describe this relational dimension of God and man as "salutary", characterized by a balance of life conceived on the basis of God's norms. Thanks to his unrivalled authority. For Arnold (2010: 15): "Man will always have to recognize his creator as his sovereign, [...] man will always have to lead a paradisiacal life”. With this logic in mind, the researcher has identified the important aspects that he must respect in order to carry out a work of excellence in the mission entrusted to him. With regard to the doctrine of salvation, source of authority of the pastoral ministry, he presented salvation, and then gave some elements that characterize this salvation; he showed the evidence of the authority of the pastoral ministry as well as the impact of salvation on this authority of the ministry. Finally, in the general conclusion, some suggestions are offered that can accompany all the above factors. In short, in this study, the fact that Jesus Christ remains the sole source of this authority and there is no other source to which he can be compared has also been emphasized. It is Jesus who holds the salvation in which authority over all things is hidden; this authority is reserved for anyone who believes in Him. The researcher ended this study by saying that this path that has been presented absolutely necessary for a more fruitful pastoral ministry.