Helen Schucman and Bill Thetford famously considered their role as co-scribes of the Course to be a “sacred trust.” This is perhaps the most important thing that can be said about the role of Course teacher.

“The value of this role can hardly be underestimated”

The role of a teacher, properly conceived, is one of leading himself and others out of the desert. The value of this role can hardly be underestimated, if only because it was one to which I very gladly dedicated my own life. (T-3.IX.6:1-2)

“They come together on the basis of inequality of ability and experience.”

It is not true that the difference between pupil and teacher is lasting. They meet in order to abolish the difference. At the beginning, since we are still in time, they come together on the basis of inequality of ability and experience. The aim of the teacher is to give pupils more of what is temporarily his. This process has all of the miracle conditions we referred to at the beginning. The teacher (or miracle worker) gives more to those who have less, bringing them closer to equality with him, at the same time gaining for himself. (T-3.IX.2:1-6)

Bill was chosen to teach a class on abnormal psychology because he was well-suited to teaching it in a way that didn’t reinforce the ego.

Bill’s course was very carefully chosen, because “abnormal psychology” is ego psychology. This is precisely the kind of content which should never be taught from the ego, whose abnormality should be lessened [Urtext: by teaching], not increased. You [Urtext:, Bill,] are particularly well-suited to perceive this difference, and can therefore teach this course as it should be taught. Most teachers have an unfortunate tendency to teach the course abnormally, and many of the students are apt to suffer considerable perceptual distortion because of their own Authority problems. (Cameo 17)

Jesus’ devotion

[An elder brother] is also entitled to love because he is a brother, and also to devotion if he is devoted. It is only my own devotion that entitles me to yours. (T-1.46.15:2-3)

My devotion to my brothers has placed me in charge of the Sonship. (T-1.46.16:9)

I need devoted teachers. They heal the mind, and that is always my own aim. (T-4.II.25)

Devotion to others leads to not fatigue, but inspiration

The Bible says you should go with a brother twice as far as he asks. It certainly does not suggest that you set him back on his journey. Devotion to a brother cannot set you back either. It can only lead to mutual progress. The result of genuine devotion is inspiration, a word which, properly understood, is the opposite of fatigue. To be fatigued is to be dispirited, but to be inspired is to be in the spirit. (T-4.I.1:1-6)

Reflection

Try to imagine that you have the ability to teach the Course “as it should be taught,” when others are not doing that, such that Jesus would pick you to be in this position. How do you feel about that? Does that seem plausible? What about you might make you well-suited to teach the Course as it should be taught?

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