BREAD AND BUTTER STUDY IN GERMANY by Rev. J. H. W. Stuckenberg

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 6, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 39.

BREAD AND BUTTER STUDY IN GERMANY.

By Rev. J. H. W. Stuckenberg

The State appoints the theological as well as the other professors, and there is no guarantee that they will be fair representatives of the spirit of the church, or will devote their efforts to promote its life. Rationalism, pantheism, evolutionism, Ritschelism, and the various shades of orthodoxy, may be represented in the same theological faculty. This state of things is maintained in the interest of what is called scientific freedom, and finds favor even among the orthodox. There is now, however, a strong tendency to secure for the church more power in the appointment of theological professors.

The choice of theology on the part of students is much on the same ground as that of the other professions. Conversion and an ardent desire to promote the cause of Christ are not regarded as essential. It is called a “bread and butter study,” and is frequently pursued because the parents have chosen it, or because it promises a livelihood. The course of theological students at the university is often the reverse of that expected in America. Many are experts at dueling, beer drinking is, of course, common, and the life in general is characterized by the freedom prevalent among German students. One need but know the facts in order to appreciate an address to a ministerial conference in this city by Rev. Braun, on the need of a converted ministry. The address produced a sensation. The author was not only himself keenly aroused to the importance of the subject, but he had also received a number of letters emphasizing the need of its discussion.—Rev. J. H. W. Stuckenberg, of Berlin, in the Homiletic Review.