THE RELIGIOUS LIFE OF THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS I am asked to speak to you on the religious life of the student of theology. I approach the subject with some trepidation. I think it the most important subject which can engage our thought. You will not suspect me， in saying this， to bc depre- ciating the importance of the intellectual preparation of the student for the ministry. The importance of the intellectual preparation of the student for the ministry is the reason of the existence of our Theological Seminaries. Say what you will， do what you will， the ministry is a \"learned profession\"; and the man without learning， no matter with what other gifts he may be endowed， is unfit for its duties. But learning， though indis- pensable， is not the most indispensable thing for a minister. \"Apt to teach\" -- yes， the minister must be \"apt to teach\"; and observe that what I say--or rather what Paul says--is \"apt to teach.\" Not apt merely to exhort， to beseech， to appeal， to entreat; not even merely， to testify， to bear witness; but to teach. And teaching implies knowledge: he who teaches must know. Paul， in other words， requires of you， as we are perhaps learning not very felicitously to phrase it， \"instructional，\" not merely \"inspirational，\" service. But aptness to teach alone does not make a minister; nor is it his primary qualification. It is only one of a long list of requirements which Paul lays down as necessary to meet in him who aspires to this high office. And all the rest concern， not his intellectual， but his spiritual fitness. A minister must be learned， on pain of being utterly incompe-
内容加载中，请稍后...
商品评论（0条）