Preaching and Scholarship: Inaugural Address of Archibald Thomas Robertson
Overview
Can scholars preach? Should scholars preach? What is the relationship between intellectual cultivation and thoughtful preaching? In his inaugural lecture at Southern Baptist Seminary in 1890, A. T. Robertson clarifies the relationship between scholarship and preaching. He contends that objections to theological education usually arise from ignorance about the real workings of seminaries. This address counters the prejudice against higher learning, and shows that it is not only possible, but preferable for someone to become a respectable scholar and remain a preacher. Moreover, says Robertson, we cannot underestimate the work of the Holy Spirit during intellectual pursuit.
Top Highlights
“But my plea is for a scholarship that helps men to preach. For after all, the great need of the world is the preaching of the gospel, not saying off a sermon, but preaching that stirs sinful hearts to repentance and godliness.” (Page 9)
“We know that he has no use for the pride of learning, but neither does he care for the arrogance of ignorance. Certainly” (Page 3)
“For if a man is to preach, he must be able to think.” (Page 14)
“There has to be some severe thinking and suffering before you will command the ears and hearts of men. Mere dabbling in books will not make you a deeper man. But if you get a studious habit upon you, it will help you to go to the bottom of things.” (Page 15)
“Give us men in the pulpit to-day above all things that fear God and think the gospel good enough for anybody and make no apology for preaching it.” (Page 9)
- Title: Preaching and Scholarship: Inaugural Address of Archibald Thomas Robertson
- Author: A. T. Robertson
- Publisher: Baptist Book Concern
- Publication Date: 1890
- Pages: 18
A. T. Robertson (1863–1934) was a renowned scholar and a terrific preacher. He was educated at Wake Forest University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1892, Robertson was appointed professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he taught until 1934.
Robertson was a founding member of the Baptist World Congress, now known as the Baptist World Alliance. Throughout his incredible life, Archibald Thomas Robertson wrote 41 books ranging from grammars to simple character studies.
His books are still used today and his publications available in Logos include Practical and Social Aspects of Christianity: The Wisdom of James, Studies in Mark's Gospel, The Divinity of Christ in the Gospel of John, and A Harmony of the Gospels. Also available from Logos is the A. T. Robertson Collection (15 vols.), which includes a number of Robertson’s grammars, commentaries, lectures, and sermons.
