Theological Discussion Group papers, 1934 -- 1961

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Theological Discussion Group papers, 1934 -- 1961

This series is open for research.

2.25 linear feet; 2.25 linear feet; 5 boxes

This series contains typescript addresses presented to the Theological Discussion Group. It includes a small amount of administrative correspondence, including lists of members, which are included with the folders of addresses given at the retreats to which they refer. A number of undated or anonymous papers within this collection appear to originate from the group or to have circulated among members of the group.

This series is arranged chronologically.



Box 1 Folder 1 What is Essential and Distinctive in the Christian Gospel for Today? 1 st Meeting,Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, N.J., Feb 2-4, 1934

Addresses: Aubrey, Edwin E. What is Essential and Distinctive… Calhoun, Robert What is Essential and Distinctive… Horton, Walter M. What is Essential and Distinctive… McGregor, Daniel What is Essential and Distinctive… Pauck, Wilhelm What is Essential and Distinctive… Administrative Papers of Henry Van Dusen: Proposed Conference-Retreats of Younger Christian Thinkers Correspondence to members of Princeton Group, Feb 2-4, 1934 Correspondence to the members of Retreat, Dec 1933 - Feb1934 Includes Memo re Program


Box 1 Folder 2 Significance of Jesus Christ? 2 nd Meeting, Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, N.J.,, Apr 27-29, 1934

Addresses: Hough, Lynn Harold I. Thinking in a Shaking World Branscombe, Harvie II. Jesus of History Miller, Francis P. IV.Significance of Jesus for Our Concept'… Bennet, John C. V. Relevance of the Ethic of Jesus for Contemp Administrative Papers: Extract from letter from Steere, Mar 16, 1934


Box 1 Folder 3 The Social Strategy of the Christian, 3 rd Meeting, Yale Divinity School, New Haven, CT, Oct. 26-28, 1934

Addresses: Cavert, Samuel Resources of Churches for Economic Change Farmer, Herbert H. Strategy of Christians in Present Threat of War Henson, Francis A. Christian Attitude towards Marxist Strategy Van Dusen, Henry P. Limits of Compromise and Asceticism Administrative Papers from Henry Van Dusen: Correspondence to members, June 12 -Oct 12, 1934


Box 1 Folder 4 The Christian Doctrine of Man, 4 th Meeting, Yale D S, New Haven, CT, Feb 1-3, 1935

Addresses: Calhoun, R.L. Aspects of the Churches Thought about Man -History Vlastos, Gregory Brief Analysis of Human Nature Niebuhr, H. Richard Christian Doctrine of Man Paulk, Wilhelm Man as Saved Aubrey, Edwin Summary of Discussions Administrative Papers from Henry Van Dusen: Correspondence to members, Dec 14, 1934


Box 1 Folder 5 A Study of Our Knowledge of God, 5 th Meeting, Yale D S, New Haven, CT, Nov 1-3, 1935

Addresses: Horton, Walter M. Revelation Bainton, Roland H. Authority and Religious Knowledge Moore, John M. Scientific Method and Religious Knowledge Steere, Douglas V. Role of Mystical Experience in Religion & Morality Administrative Papers from Henry Van Dusen: Correspondence and Schedule of Meeting, Mar 5, 1935; Oct 18, 1935


Box 1 Folder 6 The Christian Philosophy of History, 6 th Meeting, Yale D S, New Haven, CT, Feb 7-9, 1936

Addresses: Thomas, George Can we Believe in Progress? Mackay, John Historical & Supernatural Elements in Christianity Tillich, Paul Marxist View of History Niebuhr, Richard Reflections on the Christian Theory of History Administrative Papers from Henry Van Dusen: Correspondence to members, Mar 25, 1936; Schedule, Dec 11, 1935


Box 1 Folder 7 The Church, 7 th Meeting, Yale D S, New Haven, CT, Nov 6-8, 1936

Addresses: Pauck, Wilhelm Historical Conceptions of the Church McGregor, Daniel Catholic Conception of the Church Miller, Francis Church and World Community Van Dusen, Henry Functions of the Church Bainton, R.H.Comments on W. Pauck's Paper Pauck, Wilhelm Idea of the Church in Christian History, pt.1+2 Administrative Papers from Henry Van Dusen: Correspondence to the members, Oct 9, 1936


Box 1 Folder 8 The Church and Politics, 8 th Meeting, Yale D Sl, New Haven, CT, Jan, 1937

Addresses: Cavert, Samuel Church and State Arising From American History Kruse, Cornelius What Strategy to Adopt With Reference to Fascism? Harkness, Georgia What Strategy to Adopt With Reference to Democracy?



Box 2 Folder 1 The Problem of God, 9 th Meeting, Yale D S, New Haven, CT, Nov 5-7, 1937

Addresses: Bixler, J.S. Three Contrasts in Contemporary Thought about God Niebuhr, Reinhold Transcendence of God Bennett, John C. Problem of Evil


Box 2 Folder 2 Christian Evangelism, 10th Meeting, Yale D S, New Haven, CT, Feb 4-6, 1938

Addresses: Niebuhr, Richard Christian Evangel and Social Culture Mackay, John A. Universal Element in Christianity Steere, Douglas V. Evangelism and Christian Fellowship Moore, John M. Memorandum Slip


Box 2 Folder 3 The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, 11th Meeting,Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Nov 11-13, 1938

Addresses: Kruse, Cornelius Philosophical Meaning of "Spirit" Branscomb, Harvey Biblical Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Moore, John M. Schedule of Meeting


Box 2 Folder 4 The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, 12th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Feb 10-12, 1939

Addresses: Steere, Douglas Holy Spirit (God and Man) McGregor, D.A. Holy Spirit and the Church Tillich, Paul Holy Spirit and the General Concept of Spirit Calhoun, Robert L. Holy Spirit in the Trinity Van Dusen, Henry Memorandum Administrative Papers from John M. Moore: Correspondence and Schedule of Meeting, Jan 2, 1939 Correspondence re death of Ernest A. 'Syme' Yarrow


Box 2 Folder 5 Nature, Grace, Sacraments, 13th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Nov 10-12, 1939

Addresses: Bixler, J.S. Problem of Nature and Grace … Horton, Walter M. Nature and Grace in Catholic Theology Bainton, Roland Grace and Nature in Christianity Corwin, Virginia Modern Protestant View of Nature and Grace Administrative Papers from Henry Van Dusen: Schedule of Meeting; Active Members, Oct 28, 1939


Box 2 Folder 6 Nature, Grace, Sacraments, 14th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Mar 8-10,1940

Addresses: Van Dusen, Henry Nature, Grace, Incarnation Harkness, Georgia Nature as the Vehicle of Grace Zabriskie, A.C. Nature, Grace, and the Sacraments Mays, Benjamin Nature, Grace, and Community Administrative Papers from Henry Van Dusen: Schedule of meeting, Feb 28, 1940


Box 2 Folder 7 Eschatology, 15th Meeting,Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Nov 8-10, 1940

Addresses: Kraeling, Carl Pre-Christian Eschatology Knox, John New Testament Eschatology Calhoun, R.L. Time, Eternity and the End of History Tillich, Paul Eschatology and Personal Destiny Administrative Papers from Henry Van Dusen: Schedule of Meeting, Oct 31, 1940


Box 2 Folder 8 Eschatology, 16th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Mar 7-9, 1941

Addresses: Bainton, Roland Types and Times of Christian Eschatology Piper, Otto A. The Idea of Progress and Christian Eschatology Niebuhr, Richard Kingdom of God and Eschatology Cavert, Samuel Eschatology and Ethical Decision Administrative Papers from Henry Van Dusen: Schedule of Meeting, Feb 28, 1941 Correspondence to members, April 15, 1941


Box 2 Folder 9 Christian Ethics, 17th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Nov 7-9, 1941

Addresses: Knox, John Old Testament Ethics Branscomb, Harvie Ethical Principles of the Gospels Van Dusen, Henry Moral Authority of Jesus Aubrey, Edwin Christian and Philosophical Ethics


Box 2 Folder 10 Christian Ethics, 18th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Mar 6-8, 1942

Addresses: Niebuhr, Richard Types of Christian Ethics Horton, Walter Law and Grace Thomas, George F. Love and Justice: Perfection vs. Compromise Moore, John M. Christian Ethics and Civil Society Administrative Papers from Henry Van Dusen: Schedule of meeting, Feb 26, 1942



Box 3 Folder 1 19th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Nov 13-15, 1942

Chicago Group Addresses: Pauck, Aubrey, Harkness, Knox: Preaching as an Expression of the Ethical Reality New Haven Group Addresses: Calhoun, Bainton, H.R. Niebuhr Central Christian Affirmations Princeton Group Addresses: Greene, Mackay, Thomas, Wicks II. Bases of Christian Beliefs New York Group Addresses: Tillich, Cavert, McGregor, R. Niebuhr, Van Dusen Present World Situation and Christian Message, drft.1


Box 3 Folder 2 20th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, May 7-9, 1943

Addresses: Tillich, Paul Present World Situation and Christian Message, drft.2 Knox, John First Draft of Chapter IV Thomas, George Some Christian Affirmations Greene, Theodore III. Reasonableness of Christianity Van Dusen, Henry Dilemma of the Modern World


Box 3 Folder 3 War, 22nd Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Mar, 1944

Addresses: Ferre, Nelse F.S. Relation of the Church to the War… Van Dusen, Henry Christian Faith and War


Box 3 Folder 4 Redemption, 23rd Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Nov, 1944

Addresses: Thomas, George F. Creation and Redemption Harkness, Georgia Redemption and Personal Destiny


Box 3 Folder 5 Redemption, 24th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Mar, 1945

Addresses: Bennett, John Meaning of Redemption in Personal/Social Life Dun, Angus Atoning Work of Christ Pauck, Wilhelm Issues in the History of the Doctrine of Redemption


Box 3 Folder 6 The Church's View of Itself, With Special Reference to Problemof Christian Unity, 25th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Nov 9-11, 1945

Addresses: Van Dusen, Henry Nature of Christian Unity Niebuhr, Richard Norm of the Christian Character of the Church Bennett, John C. Limitations of the Church–Inherent and Accidental


Box 3 Folder 7 26th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Mar, 1946

Addresses: Wedel, Theodore Some Anglican Views on the Church


Box 3 Folder 8 28th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Mar, 1947

Addresses: Kuhn, Helmut Bible and Non-Christian Knowledge of God Anonymous Notes


Box 3 Folder 9 30th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Mar, 1948

Addresses: Kruse, Cornelius Roman Religious Liberty & American Democratic Idea Pauck, Wilhelm What is American in American Theology?


Box 3 Folder 10 31st Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Nov, 1948

Address: Cavert, Samuel Relations…Catholics and Protestants in America


Box 3 Folder 11 32nd Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Mar, 1949

Addresses: Moore, John M. Authority in Protestantism Steer, D.V. Protestant Piety Today


Box 3 Folder 12 Reinhold Niebuhr, 33rd Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Nov, 1949

Addresses: Horton, Walter Doctrine of Man II: Salvation Thomas, George R.N.'s Doctrine of Man-Creature, etc. Niebuhr, Richard Reinhold Niebuhr's Interpretation of History Bennett, John C. Reinhold Niebuhr's Theological Ethics



Box 4 Folder 1 34th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Mar 3-5, 1950

Addresses: Thomas, George Christian Ethics and Moral Philosophy Wilder, A.N. Modern Crisis Reflected in Contemporary Poetry Wilder, A.N. Patterns of Belief in Modern Literature


Box 4 Folder 2 37th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Nov, 1951

Addresses: Thomas, George Christian Ethics and Moral Philosophy Wilder, Amos New Testament Kerygma… Muilenburg, James Ethical Implications of the Covenant Knox, John Place of Love in New Testament Ethics


Box 4 Folder 3 38th Meeting, Yale D S, New Haven, CT,, Mar, 1952

Addresses: Miller, Francis Christian Ethics and Practical Politics


Box 4 Folder 4 Address, American Theological Society meeting, April 1952

Ferm, Vergilius Mysticism and Faith in the Christian Tradition


Box 4 Folder 5 Humanism, 40th Meeting, College of Preachers, Washington D.C., Nov 6-8, 1953

Addresses Nelson, W.S. Types of Humanism Greene, Theodore Humanistic & Anti Humanistic Elements in Modern Culture Bainton, Roland Man, God, and the Church in the Renaissance Administrative Papers: Participant list


Box 4 Folder 6 American Corruptions, 41st Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Mar, 1954

Addresses Zabriskie, A.C. Some American Corruptions of the Christian Hope Wedel, Theodore American Corruptions of the Meaning of the Church Dinkler, Erich The European View of the American Crisis… Miller, Francis American Corruptions: Meaning of Being a Christian


Box 4 Folder 7 Biblical Hermeneutics, 42nd Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Nov, 1954

Addresses Dinkler, ErichPrinciples of Biblical Interpretation Schubert, Paul Context… Bible: Rev., Kerygma, Church, Tradition Wilder, Amos Myth and Symbol in the New Testament Wilder, Amos Supplement: Cognitive Element in Religious Symbol Wright, G. Ernest Unity of the Bible


Box 4 Folder 8 Christian Ethics, 49th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Mar, 1958

Addresses: Wilder, Amos Basis of Christian Ethics in the New Testament Thomas, George Christian Ethics and Political Realism


Box 4 Folder 9 Christian Ethics, 50th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Oct, 1958

Addresses: Wright, Ernest Cult and History in the Old Testament Davies, Horton Non-Episcopal Protestantism & Liturgical Movement Reissig, Herman What Should Christians Seek in Foreign Policy?


Box 4 Folder 10 51st Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Mar, 1959

Addresses: Nelson, Robert Christian Theology and the Living Faiths of Men


Box 4 Folder 11 Philosophical Theology, 52nd Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Nov, 1959

Addresses: Smith, John E. The Problem of a Christian Philosophy Moore, John M. Philosophical Analysis and its Bearing upon Theology


Box 4 Folder 12 The Trinity, 55th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Mar, 1961

Addresses: Van Dusen, Henry Trinity in Recent Thought Horton, Walter Objections to the Doctrine of the Trinity


Box 4 Folder 13 56th Meeting, Yale DS, New Haven, CT, Nov, 1961

Addresses: Steere, D.V. Ecumenical Encounter: European Protestant-Roman



Box 5 Folder 1 Undated addresses, A - C, circa 1934 -- 1961

Bainton, Roland Sectarian Theory of the Church Bennett, John C. Obstacles before the Church – Internal Difficulties Brigham, Thomas Peace of the Gospel Christian, William Dilemma of the Liberal


Box 5 Folder 2 Undated addresses, D - K, circa 1934 -- 1961

Harkness, Georgia Protestant Faith and Ethical Action Knox, John Revelation of God in Christ


Box 5 Folder 3 Undated addresses, L - N, circa 1934 -- 1961

Miller, Randolph Empirical Method and Its Critics Minear, Paul Christian Hope and Eschatology Muelder, Walter Relation of Faith in Science to Faith in Religion Muilenburg, James Doctrine of Man in the Image of God Nash, Arnold Social Sciences in the Making of a Moral Judgment


Box 5 Folder 4 Undated addresses, O - W, circa 1934 -- 1961

Pauck, Wilhelm Dynamics of Protestantism Wilder, Amos Status and Content of Biblical Theology


Box 5 Folder 5 Undated addresses, anonymous, circa 1934 -- 1961

Buddhism: Nirvana and the World Evangelism in the USA Christian and Secular Hopes for Society Bible, Church and Tradition