The problem of the relation of the Bible to science is of fundamental importance for any group of Christians who engage in theoretical work. At the same time this customary formulation of the question, the relation of the Bible to science, is inadequate and requires expansion.
The question for this paper is the status and nature of the structural entities which everyone experiences in his life; family, state, marriage, institutional church, business, labor union, etc.
The most perplexing, and at the same time, the most vital question which faces the Christian community is her relation to the world. She may not flee the world she is called to be “in” the world – neither may she accommodate to the world – it is her very nature to be “out” of the world.
Calvin has two planes along which humanity can come to a knowledge of God. There is the special history of God’s covenantal purposes and the general history of God’s purposes with the entire world.
Battles which go much deeper than the legal ones are being waged these days with regard to the separation of Church and State. As institutions, these may well be separate; statecraft (political activity) and spirituality (this in its biblical sense) cannot be.
We do not drift into another year as pieces of wood on the stream of time. The new year is before us as a race to be run. God calls us to the race, and tells us how to run it.
The general plan of God with respect to the Universe we call God’s Counsel; His specific plan of the church is called Election.
The ability of a plant to live depends on the root from which it springs. He who would guarantee our liberty to us should know where it originated and be able to tell whence it came.
In keeping with an ancient custom, it will be a rule at our University that the exchange of the rectorate shall be accompanied by an oration; and it is preferred that each rector shall take a theme from his own department.
The question of how human beings are to live together in the proper use of the goods the Creator placed in this world, has always been and is today one of greatest importance.