Has the Biblical Scholar Failed the Religious Educator

dreams in their blind outreach for help. The challenge to intelligent educated religious men and women who assume the role of religious leadership is humbling. In one generation we have seen two world wars, and some think another greater world conflict is yet beyond the horizon. Many careful thinkers fear more the coming problems of peace, or an armistice, than the difficulties of a global war. What are we as religious leaders, in our varied undertakings, doing to change world conditions, so that men and women, boys and girls, may have reasons for hope? The seminary is just one school among many on a modern university campus, ignored for the most part by those who are busy in the other schools and departments. The church is one type of organization among many in our modern society, and has few inter-relationships with the others. People deal with religious ideas and practices as if they were inconsequental addenda to the rest of life or unimportant relics of an outgrown age. Leadership is measured by one's following and the accomplishments of one's undertakings. Many religious leaders are discouraged and depressed. What is wrong? What can be done to change the situation? First of all we should be glad if Biblical scholars would help us as religious educators to identify religion, and to find examples of religion in action. There are many illustrations in the records of ancient days of religion becoming decadent and corrupt in the temples and in the established practices. Yet the vital leavening power of religion has never died. It was frequently found where least expected, and a better form of religion arose out of the ashes of the old. Will the Biblical scholars tell us what they think of a functional definition of religion? Do we have good precedent and justification for trying to shift the focus of attention from doctrines and ceremonial

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