Second report of the commissioners appointed by his Majesty William IV November 23rd 1836 and re-appointed by her Majesty Victoria I October 2d 1837 for visiting the Universities of King's College and Marischall College, Aberdeen / presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty.

  • Great Britain. Parliament. Commission for Visiting the Universities of King's College and Marischal.
Date:
1839
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Second report of the commissioners appointed by his Majesty William IV November 23rd 1836 and re-appointed by her Majesty Victoria I October 2d 1837 for visiting the Universities of King's College and Marischall College, Aberdeen / presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

    362/370 (page 328)
    Universities of Aberdeen. The Rev. Dr. Robert Gordon, Edinburgh, examined. Rev. Dr. Gordon. Evidence taken be- Are you °f opinion that there should be a Professor of Biblical Literature and Interpreta- foreCommissioners, tion in the Scotch Universities?—I have long thought that such a professorship is a desi- deratum. What do you think the .nost proper designation for such a Professorship ?—Professor of Biblical Criticism-' >r Biblical Literature would, 1 think, sufficiently define the object. I be- lieve the technicai designation is Hermeneutical Theology—as treated in Ernesti's Institutes. State the different subjects which ought to be included under this branch of theological science. Of course it would comprehend the consideration of manuscripts and versions; the general principles whereby to determine their respective authority and value; the rules of criticism as applicable to the interpretation of Scripture generally, and the illustrations of the sacred books which may be derived from the customs, manners, geography, natural his- tory, and the prevailing philosophical opinions, not only of the country whose inhabitants spoke the languages of Scripture, but of the countries also with which they held intercourse. Do you think it might include something preliminary to all that, the evidence of the authenticity of Scripture generally, and of the different books especially ?—I am rather in- clined to think that the evidences should belong to another class. I suppose you are of opinion that the theological course should begin with the evidence? Certainly with the evidence of the Divine authority of Scripture generally. But I am not prepared to say that I would not include this subject in the class of dogmatic or systematic theology. You would not have it in a preliminary but in an advanced course ?—I was not thinking of the exact place in which you might wish it to be put relatively to the other theological course. I mean simply that under whatever department it is placed, it ought to stand at the com- mencement of the lectures in that department. What is your opinion as to the number of theological classes that should be established in a University for the education of the Clergy of the Church of Scotland ?—I would say three at least, exclusive of what is now called the Hebrew class. I believe a fourth has been sug- gested, but I have not turned my attention sufficiently to the subject to give a decided opinion regarding it. The classes to which I refer are Dogmatic or Systematic Theology, Biblical Criticism, and Church History. I am not prepared to state any precise views which I may have formed as to the fourth. I have thought of it generally as comprehending Pastoral Theology or Pastoral Duties, but not so closely as to venture on any definite suggestions as to the mode of conducting it. I can easily conceive, however, a large and very interesting course coming under that designation. Be so good as to state the order and length of attendance you would recommend for the classes you have mentioned.—That depends a good deal on what is to be put under the dif- ferent departments. If biblical criticism is to be confined to what I consider it to be pro- perly so called (that is not including a preliminary course on the evidence of the Divine authority of Scripture) it would not require so long a course. But I am not sure that I should risk any opinion as to the precise arrangement; for never having had occasion to con- sider very closely the best course of theological studies, 'such an opinion must necessarily be very vague. I should say, however, that even with the most limited view that I take of bib- lical criticism, two years' attendance would be necessary. In addition to the subjects you have already mentioned as falling under the branches of Biblical criticism, do you not. think it would be of great importance that the Professor of bib- lical Criticism should occupy a considerable portion of his time in interpreting some portion of Scripture—giving a learned exposition I mean?—If such a regular interpretation is to be included to any great extent, the time I have assigned for attendance on the biblical criticism class would be rather limited. It would certainly be of advantage if it could be confined within ordinary limits. But I assume that the Professor of Biblical Literature would have constantly occuring opportunities of interpreting portions of Scripture, in applying and exem- plifying the rules of criticism and illustration, and might thus, in the course of his Lectures give an exegesis of no small part of the Bible. Do you not think that the subject formerly referred to as forming the proper subject of discussion in the class of biblical criticism might be gone over in a session, leaving a consi- derable portion of the time for the critical exposition of some portion of Scripture ?—I think there is enough in the subject to which I have formerly referred to occupy two sessions ; always taking into account the critical expositions that would naturally occur in the course of the lectures. Do you mean the class of biblical criticism to be the first you would recommend for youth to attend in the course of their theological studies ?—To give an opinion as to this would require more reflection than I have been able to bestow on the subject. In my former answers I proceeded on the supposition that the youth before they go to this class should be well ac- quainted with Hebrew as a language. I would prefer having Hebrew taught before enter- ing upon any theological study properly so called. I do (not see why it should not be taught in the same way as Greek is; and if so I see no objection to the students attending biblical criticism and systematic theology, and indeed all the theological classes at the same time. But generally as to this point I think it might be left to be arranged by the theological faculty. How far one class might aid or interfere with the other, must depend on the precise manner in which each Professor carries on his own course. Do you think the present system decidedly detrimental to theological study in which a student entering the Theological course is obliged to attend at the middle or end of a course