John Holt Rice was the first professor of theology at Union Theological Seminary. On what was his theology founded? In his inaugural address he lays out his presuppositions:
1. The sacred Scriptures are the source from which the preacher of the gospel is to derive all that doctrine, which has authority to bind the consciences, and regulate the conduct of men.
2. That the Scriptures afford the only information on which we can rely, in answer to the all-important question, "What must we do to be saved?”
3. That the Scriptures contain the most perfect system of morals, that has ever been presented to the understanding, or urged on the conscience of man.
May the Lord continue to grant seminary professors, and the pastors they train, these convictions about the word of God.