New Princetonian

A notable changing of the Presbyterian guard was announced last week. President John A. Mackay (rhymes with sky) of Princeton Theological Seminary retires automatically next summer at the age of 70; replacing him in the fall will be Dr. James Illey McCord, 38, dean and professor of systematic theolegy at Austin (Texas) Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Since 1936, when Scots-born Dr. Mackay took over the presidency of Princeton Seminary, enrollment has doubled to its present 487 students (from 40 states, 20 foreign countries, some 50 different denominations). In one respect at least. President-elect McCord promises to be like his predecessor: he is an outspoken man. Dr. Mackay, who spent nearly 20 years as a minister and teacher in Latin America, has the combative stance of a Presbyterian caught in a crowd of Roman Catholics, has campaigned vigorously against persecution of Protestants in Catholic Spain, against the dangers of religious syncretism within Protestantism, for a return to dynamic theology.

Bulky, erudite Jim McCord has been called a "theologian's theologian" (among the schools he attended: the University of Texas, Union Theological Seminary, Edinburgh's New College), is nevertheless a direct and positive talker, more popular in class than in the pulpit. He has strong ideas about everything. Examples: Missions: "A Gothic cathedral would look strange on a desert, and one can be a Christian without being a westerner. A lot has been said about demythologizing Christianity; well, in missionary work it needs to be deculturized."

Theology: "Doctrine, truth is not a substantial deposit that one can lay hold of as an end in itself. One pursues truth, but truth is for the purpose of life. I guess there is enough of an existentialist in me to feel that theology and commitment belong together. To regard theology as a closed system you stand off from--well, that's what Kierkegaard was talking about when he said 'To be a theologian is to have crucified Christ.' "

When the church fails to raise up prophets, McCord feels, the world raises them up. Who are such secular prophets? Dostoevsky, in Crime and Punishment (but not Tolstoy--"there was too much sweetness and light about him"). Also Novelist Albert Camus, especially in his latest book, The Fall ("I think Camus is on a pilgrimage and he hasn't arrived"). Oddly, Theologian McCord also includes Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller. If anyone criticizes such literary judgments, McCord has an answer: "I think the first thing the Lord requires of us is honesty. He requires you to be honest before he requires you to assent to something."

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