Call For Revival Of Theology

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31117, 21 July 1966, Page 16

Call For Revival Of Theology

Reinterpretation, not pruning, is required in Christian theology, according to the Rev. Dr. A. R. C. Leaney, reader in Christian theology at Nottingham University, who is visiting Christchurch to give the Selwyn lectures at the Christchurch Cathedral. He was most concerned with the possibility of making traditional ideas meaningful to modern minds. Dr. Leaney said. The church so far had failed to come to grips with those who thought in modern

ways and to accomplish this a revival of theology was required. Such a revival did not mean the giving up of old beliefs but reinterpretation so the modern world would understand, he said. The theological revival would require a deeper study of theology by the clergy. The laity was ready to accept what was given to it from the pulpit, if it could understand, Dr. Leaney said. Longer training in theology for clergy was desired but at the moment economic reasons were against keeping training

ministers in college for longer periods. Post-ordination training was now being taken much more seriously in England and curates were allowed more time to continue their studies while attached to a parish. At Nottingham University the department of Christian theology could take only 17 students a year, but last year received 139 applications. These were mainly men studying for the ministry and women training as teachers. The subject was a normal three years honours course and teachers found it useful to help them with giving religious instruction. While there was no immediate prospect of women being ordained, the number as well read in theology as the ministers might use this as support, Dr. Leaney said. Speaking on Professor C. G. Geering’s views on the Resurrection, Dr. Leaney said: “I don’t think he gives a very good account of it” He added, however, that although he himself held to the traditional view, Professor Geering was an example among many in New Zealand who showed that there was much activity in the field of theology in this country. In England he felt that the work of academic theologians was helping the moves towards unity. Dr. Leaney said. He was also secretary of a world society of more than 400 studying the New Testament. and there was great agreement no matter which church the scholars belonged to. This society included both Protestants and Roman Catholics. Commenting on the description of Biblical happenings. Dr. Leaney said that he thought it a disgrace that clergy still presented such stories as Adam and Eve as fact rather than the picture language it was. Such stories were given in pictures to explain the true relationship between God and man. What they presented was not science, but a very profound truth explained so it could be understood.