Anti Intellectualism

"If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you."
- Don Marquis

If there was a theme for this past week in my life it is anti intellectualism, the steadfast refusal from people to learn or admit the value of a formal education. This is first of all an insult to me, my husband, my sister, our friends who are pursuing higher education. They are not going to school to arrogantly amass knowledge-- many are, like Alan, devotedly learning so they can teach others.

It is a particular problem in some parts of the church. To all you sisters and brothers in Christ who turn your nose up at philosophy I say quit reading Paul's letters as they are full of the wisdom of Greek philosophers.

Hate Church History? Stay away from the book of Hebrews, or Chronicles, or the beginning of Matthew-- all precursors to the discipline of Church History.

And you think seminary is a waste of time, that knowledge of God is only found in life experience? Better put down your Bible all together as it was most likely translated by seminary-trained scholars. And forget even reading a Greek version because it was assembled after countless years of educated people pouring over texts and using their wisdom to make decisions about what should be included. Maybe you should learn ancient Hebrew and Koine Greek and stick to pdf versions of manuscripts if you want an unblemished read of God's word.

Life experience is obviously important. We need to live the virtues to show we've truly learned them. But I'd like to see some of you live the life of faith without the hard work and sincere learning of scholars who see education as a ministry to the Body.

So please, anti intellectuals, next time you read your Bible or sit at your computer-- even as you enjoy the comfort of your home-- please have a little more respect for the "intellectual" people who had a part in affording you those privileges.


"Fools hate wisdom and teaching." Proverbs 1:7b