Editorial
JAMES E. COSSEY
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Never
Cease to
J
OHN COTTON DANA (1856- little respect for unprepared ministers,
1929) was a Denver lawyer teachers, or Christian workers. This is
mesmerized by words and why the apostle Paul said, “Be diligent to
addicted to reading. In 1889, present yourself approved to God, a
he resigned his law practice worker who does not need to be
and became director of the Denver Public ashamed” (2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV). The
LEARN
Library, and spent the rest of his life in King James says, “Study to shew thyself
educational pursuits. His most noted quo- approved unto God” (emphasis added).
tation is “He who dares to teach must Genuine education is about learning,
never cease to learn.” Dana obviously not about status. Someone once said,
understood what Will Durant was sug- “The Bible did not say, ‘Study to show
GENUINE EDUCATION IS
gesting when he said, “Education is a pro- thyself,’ but rather, ‘Study to show thyself
gressive discovery of our own ignorance.” approved unto God.’” Important as they
ABOUT LEARNING,
The more we learn, the more we realize may be in our culture, education is about
that there is much more to be learned. more than letters and degrees. Education
NOT ABOUT STATUS.
Education must be a lifelong pursuit (to the Church) is about improving one’s
SOMEONE ONCE SAID,
of those who would succeed in life. skills and increasing one’s knowledge in
Medical doctors, attorneys, and other order to better communicate the message
“THE BIBLE DID NOT
professionals are required to perpetually of Christ and to more adequately relate to
upgrade their skills and to acquire regular an increasingly educated community.
SAY, ‘STUDY TO SHOW
continuing-education credits in order to At the 1917 General Assembly, the
maintain certification. Why is this? delegates decided to institute a school
THYSELF,’ BUT RATHER,
Because the lives of those they serve are “for the training of young men and
‘STUDY TO SHOW
in their hands. Reputable professionals women for efficient service on the field.”
must be aware of new discoveries and With that decision, Bible Training School
THYSELF APPROVED changing trends, and they must be able (now Lee University) was established in
to provide answers to the inquisitive January 1918. From the seeds of that
UNTO GOD.’”
minds of their patients and clients. decision, Church of God education has
If this is true for those who care for extended across America and around the
people’s mortal needs, how much more is world. In this issue of the Evangel, we
You are invited to visit the online it true for those of us who deal with the
salute the educators and educational
Evangel site at
www.onlineevangel.org
eternal? Could this be what Peter had in institutions of the Church of God. We
and my personal blog at
mind when he said to “always be ready believe you will be both informed and
www.jecossey.blogspot.com
to give a defense to everyone who asks inspired as you see what God, through
Views expressed on my blog are my
you a reason for the hope that is in you” His church, has accomplished over the
personal views and do not reflect
the views of the Evangel staff, the
(1 Peter 3:15, NKJV)? As surely as one past 91 years.
Church of God, or Pathway Press.
would turn away from an unequipped “He who dares to teach must never
physician, seekers after God will have cease to learn.”
EVANGEL • MAY 2009 3
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