A Failure If

A Chair of Theology will serve little purpose if it avoids, as philosophers often do, the necessity for trying to reach the truth. Comparative study of conflicting theologies may fill the exam papers and fill the course—but the fundamental issue—what are God's Truths—must not be sacrificed. Students who can think, theology and analyses theologies are better than students who know theologians. It is essential to assume in part at least that God does exist. Whether He does is a question for Philosophy.

The lecturer should therefore have a viewpoint which he is not reluctant or unwilling to make clear to his students. He should be satisfied with disagreement founded on reason. A hotch-potch of middle-way ideas and uncomfortable compromises for students to learn would mean little thought and few conclusions. For this reason complete intellectual honesty and willingness to discuss and listen are ideal, but rare when many intellectuals are content with their own theories and inclined to dismiss those of others.

In philosophy classes attempts are made to study all three but very little attempt is made to see which is right. Therefore the philosophers say Theology is a waste of time since it is based on an unproved assumption.

The refusal to face up to the importance of solving the problem, and a study of those facts which seem to indicate no God rather than the proofs of His existence lead philosophers to dismiss. Theology. They ignore the fact that once proofs are established the other aparently inconsistent facts must fit—not be made to fit—but fit. It is Theology which helps to do this by a study of the nature and attributes of God. To dismiss Theology is therefore unwise and certainly not the task of the philosopher unless he can disprove the existence of God.