ABSTRACT
This Thirteenth Nash Lecture of 1990 touches on issues closely related to the characteristics of the man in whose honour these lectures were established. To quote their founder, Dr Joseph Gavin, SJ in the preface to the inaugural lecture, Dr Nash is to be remembered for 'his dedication and commitment to education, his profound Catholic faith, his Jesuit education to excellence in learning and in work, and his talent as administrator'. The place of theological study in the university depends on that commitment to deep Christian faith, excellence in education and finesse in administration. Gradually through the past 20 years of teaching philosophy and theology, off and on, and especially in my last ten years of experience administering and teaching in a university-related theological college, where theology is taught to both professional degree students and students in doctoral studies, I have become convinced of the singular importance of the academic study of religion not only for the good of the Church but for the good of society at large.
