"Andrew Purves redirects the study of pastoral theology by addressing what he sees as the disconnect between the gospel of Jesus Christ and pastoral care and the practice of ministry today. Arguing that pastoral theology and care have long ignored Scripture and Christian doctrine and become secularized in both method and goal, Purves presents a christological basis for ministry and pastoral theology. This important work examines what makes pastoral theology Christian, while making clear the interconnections among the Christian doctrine of God, the person and ministry of Jesus Christ, and the life and ministry of the church."--BOOK JACKET.