Princeton Theological Seminary - Yearbook (Princeton, NJ)

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1 4 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 Hellenisiiif dialect, particularly as employed by the New Testament writers. The Life of Christ is exhibited in its several periods, with a careful analysis of the 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. THEOLCGY. The basis of the course of Systematic Theology is laid in the Junior year, by the instruction given in Exegctical Theology, the aim of which is to develop, 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 didac- tically, 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 decrees 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 offices, the nature, necessity, perfection and extent of the atonement, His kingdom, His humiliation and exaltation , vocation , regeneration, faith , repentance, justification, sanctification, eschatology, the Sacraments. f BIBLICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. The Junior Class is instructed in Old Testament History as it stands related to the Christian Tlispensation, 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 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 -1.,

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13 LECTURES AND RECITATIONS. The Junior Class has six weekly exercises in Hebrewg one in Introduction 'to HtheQ,O-ld Testamentg one in Introduction to the New Tcstamentg one in Biblical History, two in the Exegesis of Pauls Epistles, and one in Homi- letics. The Middle Class has three weekly exercises in Church History, and two in each of the other departments. The Senior Class has two weekly exercises in each department. Instruction in the Seminary is mostly given by lectures, though appropriate 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, thc 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 ,embraces an account of each book 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 im- 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. HEBREW. 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 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 of the Church to the world. . ,Q , A ECCLESIASTICAL, HOMILETIC, AND PASTORAL THEOLOGY. Sacred Rhetoric is made a study of the H1-st year, with the help of a text- book QVinet's Homiletics, at present,j and lectures, followed by exercises in the analysis oftexts, and Writing of skeletons. Church Government is made a study of the second year, mostly by lectures. These embrace the nature of the Church, and the different schemes of Church polity, membership in the Church 3 the baptized, the full communicants, oiiicers of the Church 3 commission, succession, and parity of Ministersg ruling Elders, in the warrant, qualifications, duties, and tenure of the office 5 Deacons, in the origin, importance, distinct and perpetual use of the oiiiceg Church Courts, in their warrant, gradation, and power. Pastoral Theology is studied in the third year. A call to the ministry 5 the aptitudes and attainments required, the duties, relations, and responsibilities of tl1e pastoral careg the Ordinances of Divine appointment in the Churchg Ordinances of Worship, including the Sacraments and public prayer, preaching and praise in the pastoral administration, systematic beneficence, keg Dis- cipline, in its principles, forms of procedure, subjects, objects, Sze. These and other topics connected,,are treated historically, as well as discussed in the light of Scripture, and according to the standards of the Presbyterian Church. CHRISTIAINI ETHICS AND APOLOGETICS. This department, which Was instituted by the Directors at their annual meet- ing in 1871, is, as yet, only partially developed. The course this year includes a brief series of introductory lectures on Re- ligion and Religions in generalg their Phenomenology, Psychology, Relations to Morality, Criteria, Svc., a resume of the Christian Evidences as ordinarily presented, and a series of lectures on the historical nature of Christianity and its authenticating documents. , It is proposed to add next year an Ethical course, discussing Christian Ethics theoretically, historically, and in their living connection with various branches of Social Science, together with the moral and practical relations of Chris- tianity to civilization, thus illustrating and vindicating Christianity on its ethical side. ' I It is designed subsequently to treat in a similar way the relations of Chris- tianity- to natural and speculative science?