Theology embraces a great variety of topics, some of which are abstruse and difficult, and all have been perplexed by controversies which commenced as soon as our religion was promulgated and have been carried on, from age to age, with all the arguments which ingenuity and learning could supply. It is like an immense field, thickly covered with briars and thorns which impede our progress and, through which, we must force our way with toil and pain in the pursuit of truth. The private Christian, ignorant of the subtle disputes which have arisen concerning almost every article of faith, humbly takes up the Bible as the Word of God and, by a short and easy process, acquires that measure of knowledge which, through the teaching of the divine Spirit, makes him wise unto salvation. But, the minister of religion proceeds more slowly, encounters obstacles at every step and, often, is compelled to assume the character of a polemic because he must study theology as a science and be able not only to instruct the simple and illiterate but, also, to contend with the wise and learned, whether, as infidels, they oppose revelation in general or, as heretics, they impugn any of its doctrines. To superintend and assist your studies in a subject so extensive, so complicated, and so embarrassed with difficulties, is a task which I should not have willingly undertaken. But, as it has been imposed upon me for a time, I must attempt to perform it, although I know beforehand that I shall neither do justice to you nor give satisfaction to myself. I commit myself and you to the Father of lights, from whom comes down every good and perfect gift, earnestly beseeching Him to prevent me from handling His Word deceitfully or, in any instance, misleading your minds, and to bless such instructions as you may receive for advancing your progress in divine knowledge and in personal religion.
From: Lectures on Theology by John Dick; 2 volumes; (Philadelphia: F. W. Greenough, 1838), 1:7.
John Dick (1764-1833) was a Scottish Presbyterian minister and Professor of Theology at the United Secession College (1820-1833).
