Princeton Theological Seminary - Yearbook (Princeton, NJ)

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14 K THE NEW TESTAMENT. In the study of the New Testament an acquaintance with ordinary Greek is assumed, but careful attention is paid to the peculiarities of the Hellenistic dialect, particularly as employed by the New Testament Writers. The Life ot' Christ is exhibited in its several periods, with a careful analysis ofthe different gospels, their mutual relations, their individual characteristics, and the har- mony of their respective narratives. The Acts of the Apostles is studied both exegetically and topically, with prominent reference to the life and labors of the Apostle Paul, and the early planting of the Christian Church. Special introduction to the various Epistles is inserted in their proper chronological place. THEOLOGY. The basis of the course of Systematic Theology is laid in the Junior year, by the instruction given in Exegetical Theology, the aim of which is to de- velop, by a direct exposition of his writings, the doctrines taught by the Apostle Paul. In the Middle and Senior years, the doctrines of theology are presented didactically, historically, and polemically. The order of topics pursued is: The nature, forms, and sources of Theology, the being of God, His nature and attributes, the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, the Holy Spirit, the de- crees of God, creation, providence, miracles, the law of God, the origin, nature, and primitive state of man, the covenant with Adam, the fall, sin, imputation, original sin, inability, the covenant of grace, the person of Christ, His oiiices , the nature, necessity, perfection and extent of the atone- ment, His kingdom, His humiliation and exaltation, vocation, regenera- tion, faith, repentance, justification, sanctiiication, eschatology, the Sac- raments. BIBLICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. The Junior Class is instructed in Old Testament History as it stands related to the Christian Dispensation, and the general history of the world before Christ. The study of Church History is pursued with the Middle Class from the founding of the Christian Church to the period of' the Reformation. The Seniors are occupied with the period following the Reformation and extending

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13 LECTURES AND RECITATIONS. The Junior Class has six weekly exercises in Hebrew, one in Introduction to the Old Testament, one in Introduction to the New Testament, one in Biblical History, two in the Exegesis of Paul's Epistles, and one in Homi- letics. W The Middle Class has three weekly exercises in Church History, and two in each ofthe other departments. The Senior Class has two Weekly exercises in each department. Instruction in the Seminary is mostly given by lectures, thoughappropriate text-books or works suited for collateral reading are recommended in each department. THE SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS OF INSTRUCTION. In order to convey a clearer idea of' what is actually taught in the Seminary, the following more explicit statements are made respecting the instructions here given. INTRODUCTION TO THE SCRIPTURES. General Introduction to the Old and the New Testaments embraces the sub- jects of the Canon, the Original Languages of Scripture, Ancient Manuscripts and Versions, Sacred Criticism and the History and Principles of Scripture Interpretation. Special Introduction em braces an account of each bool: severally, its author- ship, integrity, design, and structure, together with a general statement of its contents, and a more particular examination of the most interesting and ini- portant questions relating to its criticism and interpretation, The course is intended to include at least a general survey of every book in the Bible. HEBREYW, Hebrew is taught throughout the course. But the grammatical study of the language as such is confined mainly to the Hrst year, in which a larger portion of time is devoted to it than to any other single branch. The Junior Class is practiced not simply in translation and parsing, but in the derivation of words, the comparison of synonyms, the relations of kindred roots and Indo-European analogies, and in converting English into Hebrew. A beginning is also made the first year in the application of the knowledge of the language to the work of exposition, which is carried out more fully in the subsequent years of the course.

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15 ., . to the present time, including the history of the separate church organizations in Europe, America, and the East. The whole course is conducted by lecture and recitation upon the subject of the lecture, with constant reference to original authorities and the best books for collateral reading. Special attention is given throughout to the historical order of revelation and development of doctrine, to Christian life, and the rela- tions ofthe Church to the World. ECCLESIASTICAL, HOMILETIC, AND PASTORAL THEOLOGY. Sacred Rhetoric is made a study of the first year, with the help of a text- book tVinet's Homiletics, at present,j and lectures, followed by exercises in the analysis of texts, and writing of skeletons. Church Government is made a study ofthe second year, mostly by lectures. These embrace the nature ofthe Church, and the different schemes of Church polityg membership in the Church, thc baptized, the full communicantsg oftlicers of the Church 3 commission, succession, and parity of Ministers 5 ruling Elders, in the Warrant, qualifications, duties, and tenure of the oiiiceg Deacons, in the origin, importance, distinct and perpetual use of the otlice, Church Courts, in their Warrant, gradation, and power. Pastoral Theology is studied in the third year. A call to the ministry, the aptitudes. and attainments required 5 the duties, relations, and responsibilities of the pastoral care, the Ordinances of Divine appointment in the Church, Ordinances of worship, including the Sacraments and public prayer, preaching and praisein the pastoral administration, systematic beneicence, Src., Dis- cipline, in its principles, forms of procedure, subjects, objects, dmc. These and other topics connected, are treated historically, as well as discussed in the light of Scripture, and according to the standards ofthe Presbyterian Church. RHETORICAL EXERCISES AND SERMONIZING. DR. C. W. HODGE presides at the weekly speaking of the Junior and Middle Classes, each member of which is, in his turn, expected to deliver original dis- courses, memoriier. The weekly preaching of the Senior Class, which- is likewise memorizfer, is under the direction of DR. DICGILL, who also has exercises with all the classes in efctempore speaking, in writing sermons, and in preparing written criticisms upon the sermons of others.