Encyclopedia of sacred theology - pagina 605

§ 89.

CiiAP. Ill]

RELATION TO SPIRITUAL REALITY

581

with his understanding, it is evident that so long as he hicks he can make no progress. To regeneration

this enlightening

and enlightening,

The

of saints.

is

world of thought he manity.

The

added

in the third place the

theologian is

is

in his

communion

no isolated worker, but in the way the organ of restored hu-

subject of theology presents itself to us in the

renewed consciousness

of restored

humanity, and every

vidual theologian allows this subject to

work

indi-

its effect

pro

The farther he isolates himself from restored humanity the more this action must weaken, while on the

parte

virili.

other hand

its

gain in energy keeps pace with his progress in

communion with

this restored humanity. It is and remains an " apprehending with all the saints " (Eph. iii. 18), and the apostles do not hesitate to say, that by this fellowship with them alone does one come to the fellowship of the Father and of the Son (1 John i. 3). By this we do not claim, that in the field of theological

vital

science, intelligent persons,

who

still

lack this palingenesis,

photismos and fellowship, cannot furnish results that are

The labor to be done in the field by no means all of one kind. This can be distinguished into central and peripheral study. To search out, decipher and compare documents and monuments, for instance, to collect and arrange historical data, the writing of monographs on the Cathedral of Cologne, on some order of monks, or of Wessel Gansfort, etc., is altogether work which lies in the periphery, and which in itself has little to do with the research into the knowledge of God. It is all equivalent to the services which were rendered by Hiram of Tyre for the temple on Sion, but which had next to nothing in common with the sacred ministry behind the veil. These studies are certainly indispensable, even as the work of Hiram was indispensable in order that the High Priest might perform his sacred office, but this did not require in the Tyrian architect what was required in the Minister of the Sanctuary. Spiritual affinity to this centrum is certainly not a matter of indifference in these peripherical studies. What Aholiab and Bezaleel did for the tabernacle, was much more inspired productive of lasting good. of theology is

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