140 LECTURES AND ESSAYS [1868- 



To dwell on the real opposition between the dia 

 lectical and deductive methods of advancing a science 

 would, of course, be out of place here. It will, I suppose, 

 be readily admitted that the distinction here drawn 

 between the dialectical and deductive methods is a real 

 one, that an orderly deductive argument proceeding from 

 conceded premises may admit of refutation or vindication, 

 but hardly in the proper sense of discussion, and that 

 true discussion is found where the inquiry starts not from 

 explicit principles, but from a consciousness which is not 

 yet fully given as scientific knowledge, and from which 

 general principles and special applications may be evolved 

 side by side. But when it is further maintained that 

 theology necessarily advances by discussion, whether 

 that discussion be between a man and himself as he 

 allows now this, now that, moment of the fundamental 

 consciousness to assert itself, or whether the different 

 parts be maintained by different persons who all share 

 that consciousness, but on whom the various moments 

 thereof act with unequal force : when this is maintained 

 one can hardly expect to meet with general concurrence. 

 For practically there is a very considerable part of 

 theology which not a few regard as quite exempt from 

 any discussion save that polemical discussion which we 

 have carefully excluded from our consideration. We 

 were recently told, for example, by a man of great mark 

 in our Church, that the function of a Professor of Dogmatic 

 Theology is simply the elucidation and vindication of 

 the system of doctrines already deduced from Scripture 

 and embodied in our Confession of Faith and other 

 orthodox confessions. We are to believe that systematic 

 theology has passed entirely and conclusively from the 

 dialectic to the deductive stage ; the dogma of the 

 Reformed Churches admits only of such discussion as 

 may serve to vindicate it from attack. 



But if systematic theology is really in this state it is 

 vain to speak of theology as a science advancing dia- 



