DIVINITY DEGREES WANTED

Evening Star, Issue 18999, 22 July 1925, Page 6

DIVINITY DEGREES WANTED

DEPUTATION OF CLERGY < MINISTRY DEBARRED FROM \ HIGHER LEARNING. \

The following deputation waited upon the Commission to present a statement in support of the granting of degrees in theology by the University:—Bishop Richards, Rev. Dr Dickie, Rev. L. G. Whitehead, M.A. (warden Selwyn College, Dunedin), Rev. Hector I laclean, M.A., M.Sc., B.D. (convener Theological College Committee, Presbyterian Church of New Zealand), Rev. W. Saunders (Congregational Church), Rev. R. H. Knowles Kerapton (Baptist Church), Rev. W. Wills (Methodist Church), anil the Rev. E. JTipler. The statement read: “We, the duly accredited representatives of the Church of England, Presbyterian Church. Methodist Church, Congregational Church, and Baptist Church, desire to place before you for your favorable consideration a request that you recommend to the Cabinet the establishment by the University of New Zealand of degrees in theology. "We do so on the following grounds:— “ ]., "We represent, with one exception, all the churches in New Zealand which have colleges for instruction in theological subjects. The exception is the Roman Catholic Church, which, as ; far as wo can ascertain by inquiry, i offers no objection to the proposal wo J are making. j “2. As shown by the census we re-1 present 85 per cent, of the population j of the dominion.

“3. There is a demand among ouir] students for the opportunities of study j which such degrees will afford. A number of them have obtained, or are at present preparing themselves for, the degree offered by the Melbourne College of Divinity. There are also some who have gained the B.D. of the Uni- ■ versify of London. But all would pre- > fer academic status from their own ■ University. “4. No university, from the very definition of the term, is complete which fails to moot the academic needs of such a large body of trained students as is represented by the clergy oi' ministry of our combined churches. ‘ 1 Wo further desire to make clear:—< “ I. That such degrees as are proposed will be o. test of proficiency in theological sutdy, and not a certificate of orthodoxy or a profession of belief in any particular sot of doctrines. “2. That the subjects which will be included in the degrees are all purely scientific or historical.

“ d. That the teaching of these subjects can therefore be quite safely left) to the denominational colleges_ which at present exist, or which are in process of-being established. “4. That there is a sufficient, number of suitable men in New Zealand to act as examiners. (If any difficulty is anticipated in ibis connection wo should be quite willing to have examiners appointed outside of New Zealand) . “ 5. That wo think the degree should lie of a high standard. Wo suggest that every candidate for the degree should be a graduate in one or other of the faculties of the University. “ G. That the establishment of such degrees would help to place the teaching of Greek in our universities on a more satisfactory footing.” The Rev. Hector Maclean said thev bad endeavored to get into touch with the Roman Catholic Church. They were informed that none of the students of that church would be availing themselves of the degree, and that there would he no necessity of their joining the deputation. As far he knew there would bo no objection. They wished to emphasise the fact that they were united in the matter, and that they represented a largo portion of the population. There was a large number of students who wished to take the degrees, but at present they bad to go outside New Zealand. The subjects for examination, said Mr Maclean, would be largely historical, linguistic, and scientific, and ho understood there would not bo any difficulty whatever in the matter of tins doctrines ol the various churches. In Now Zealand the ministry felt that it was isolated—that it was cut off from higher learning in theological matters. The ministry was an influential body in the country, and it. was felt that the opportunity afforded in other lands should bo granted in New Zealand. The Rev. L. G. Whitehead said that the practicality and the good sense of the proposals were so obvious that he did not think it was necessary to say very much about them. Ho emphasised the fact that the University of Otago had a lecturer in Hebrew, and that other subjects with theological implications, such as philosophy, were taken in the University. As far as the suggestion of any denominational quarrel was concerned, the speaker said that their presence there that day was a sufficient answer to that. He had been assured by Father Morkano that, whilst not supporting the proposals, be would not offer any opposition to them. Mr Whitehead said that in the Old Country several universities that had started with decided secular leaningi now provided theological courses and degrees, instancing the case of the Manchester University. Dr Dickie said that as a teacher of theology he thought it was hard that theological students could not receive any recognition from their University. It seemed unfair to a subject like theology that it was not recognised. There was no danger of not being able to arrange the degree syllabus, lie belonged to one of the older universities of the Empire, which coni erred theological degrees. Bishop Richards said that he did not think that it would be desirable to have the D.D. or B.D. degrees, as these had certain connotations attaching to them. Ho considered that they should have a doctor of theology. In answer to a question from Mr Tate, the Rev. Mr Maclean said that all that was implied was that tiiey wanted recognition for the work done in the theological colleges. The Presbyterian Church supported lour in the Otago Uniwsitj.