Required reading
Discussions (Vol 2) by Robert L. Dabney (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read 'A thoroughly educated ministry'.
My summary
This week Dabney responds to an article about the slow-growth of the Presbyterian church in comparison to the Baptist and Methodist churches. In particular, the article alleges that the other denominations grow quickly because of the 'facility and speed with which they multiply ministers and cheapen their labor, by reason of their not requiring classical education.'
Dabney:
(i) examines other reasons for the slow-growth of the Presbyterians;
(ii) gives reasons why the Presbyterian should not innovate;
(iii) outlines the benefits of a classical education for pastors;
(iv) condones training outside of seminary;
(v) predicts the consequences of accepting uneducated ministers.
What grabbed me
A most interesting reading.
Although I didn't agree with everything, I liked the encouragement for ministers to learn the original Biblical languages:'But the prime fact which determines the question is, that the Bible was given by God in Greek and Hebrew. The Greek New Testament and Hebrew Old Testament alone are God's word. No translation or commentary is infallible. No man who must needs " pin his faith " as to the interpretation of a given phrase upon the " say so " of an expositor that " this is just what the Greek means," can be always certain that he is not deceived.'
I find you preach with far more authority if you are familiar with the original!
Next week's reading
There is no reading next week.
We have now concluded Wednesday Worker in the Book Club.
For more information see 'Reformed Book Club Closing'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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