THE PRESENT TASK OF THE MINISTRY - WOODROW WILSON PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ASSOCIATION PRESS NEW YORK 1918

Sep 29, 2026

Woodrow Wilson’s address argues that the minister is uniquely responsible for a spiritual work that complements and coordinates the growing domain of human knowledge. He contrasts earlier scientific confidence in a purely material explanation with a newer sense that science is incomplete without spiritual elements. Wilson presents theological ministry as intellectual mediation between the human spirit and accumulated knowledge, guiding souls through the universe’s intricate plan and helping people recover the integrity of their souls.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

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Pages24

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THE PRESENT TASK OF THE MINISTRY

THE MINISTER A MEDIATOR BETWEEN OUR SOULS AND OUR KNOWLEDGE

THE MINISTER, AN INTERPRETER OF THE PLAN OF GOD

School of Theology at Claremont10011436816660W491918 The Libraryof the School of Theologyat Claremont 1325 North College AvenueClaremont,CA 91711-31991/800-626-7820 # ePresent Cask Woodrow Wilson 60 9918 # THE PRESENT TASK OFTHE MINISTRY WOODROW WILSONPRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ASSOCIATION PRESSNEW YoRK:347 MADISON AVENUE1918 [heology Library # CHOOL OF THEOLOGY4T CLAREMONTCalifownia # THE PRESENT TASK OFTHE MINISTRY (President Wilson delivered the following address tothe students of the Hartford Theological Seminary onan anniversary occasion.The topic,its treatment,tosay nothing of the commanding position of the speaker,will secure for it a world-wide reading and considera-tion.President Wilson has consented to the publicationof this address.) We live in an age when a particular thingcries out to be done which the minister must do,and there is no one else who can do it.A veryinteresting situation has arisen,intellectually,inour own day.There was a time,not many yearsago,marked by an entirely different intellectualatmosphere.There was a time,which we canall remember,when men of science were content,were actually content,with a certain materialisticinterpretation of the universe.Their antag-onistic position with regard to spiritual matterswas not a defiant position.It was a position ofself-assurance and of self-content.They did notlook into such matters,because they were con-vinced that it was vain to look into them,andthat there was nothing that would come of theirexamination of the secret motives,of the secretsprings of action among men,of the secret sourceof life in the world itself.But that time hasgone by.Even men of science now feel that the 女 explanation which they give of the universe isso partial an explanation,that for the benefit oftheir own thought—quite aside from the benefitof their own souls—it is necessary that somethingshould be added to it.They know that there isa spiritual segment in the complete circle ofknowledge which they cannot supply and whichmust be supplied if the whole circle is not toshow its imperfection and incompleteness. # THE MINISTERA MEDIATOR BETWEEN OURSOULS AND QUR KnoWLEDGE In connection with the administration of uni-versities in our day there is an exceedingly in-teresting situation in the field of science.It usedto be possible to draw sharp lines of divisionbetween the several fields of science.But it isno longer possible to do that.The science ofphysics can no longer establish a scientific fron-tier against the science of mathematics.Thescience of physics,on the other side,cannot deter-mine with definiteness where its jurisdiction endsand the jurisdiction of chemistry begins.Chem-istry,on its further borders,cannot clearly dis-criminate between its field and the field oforganic biology.Biology knows that it shadesoff into that great historical biology that lies inthe field of paleontology,recorded in the buriedrecords of what the earth's surface contains.Andall of these sciences are aware that,linked as theythus are together,they must have some common principle and explanation;that we cannot stopat any frontier;that the domain of knowledge,like the globe itself,is round and there is nostopping place;that what we have to do is tocomplete,at whatever cost,the map of knowl-edge,to press onward into the field where liethe unknown things both of physical knowledgeand of spiritual knowledge. In other words,we are in the presence of theabsolute necessity of a spiritual coordination ofthe masses of knowledge which we have piled upand which we have partially explained,and thewhole world waits for that vast task of intel-lectual mediation to be performed.Who shallmediate between our spirits and our knowledge?Who shall show our souls the tracks of life?Who shall be our guides,to tell us how we shallthread this intricate plan of the universe andconnect ourselves with the purpose for whichit is made? I do not know who is to tell us if not the mi

FAQs

Why does Wilson say the minister is needed in a changing intellectual age?

He argues that science’s earlier materialistic completeness has been challenged, and a spiritual element is now recognized as necessary to complete the circle of knowledge. Therefore, someone must coordinate spiritual understanding with human knowledge, which he assigns to the minister.

What does Wilson mean by the minister as a mediator between souls and knowledge?

He describes the world as waiting for a task of intellectual mediation that connects spiritual life with physical and spiritual knowledge. The minister should guide people in finding the tracks of life and threading the universe’s plan.

How does Wilson define the true work of the Christian Church?

He rejects the idea that the Church’s main business is philanthropy, pity, or material relief. Instead, he emphasizes enabling people to recover the integrity of their souls and become independent of pity.

Sep 29, 2026

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