I sometimes see and hear statements suggesting preachers should not become scholars or academics and aspiring preachers should not read the writings of people they disagree with theologically. These are concerning sentiments. People of faith should be responsible in their academic pursuits, but Christians should also avoid anti-intellectualism, which favors indoctrination over education. Anti-intellectualism may seem pious, but it is evidence of an uninformed, fragile faith. Obviously, one can pursue academia in ways that do not help the church, and many do. However, preachers without sufficient education—not necessarily formal academic education—cannot properly equip churches for the doctrinal and practical challenges of their times, many of which are initiated by unbelieving scholars.
The statements I'm referring to actually evince the dangers of anti-intellectualism. They are sorely lacking in understanding. The Bible does not teach that scholarly study is bad. It doesn't even suggest it. Certainly, pursuit of education without the regulation and guidance of Scripture can damage a person’s faith and do great harm, but anti-intellectualism suggests that high levels of education inevitably lead to faithlessness. This is clearly erroneous. Moses and Paul were highly-educated men (see Acts 7:22; 17:23, 28; Titus 1:12). Knowledge is good, and the (proper) pursuit of knowledge increases one's appreciation of Scripture and strengthens one's faith.
People who categorically criticize biblical scholarship actually rely on biblical scholars to assemble and translate the text of their Bibles, research the extra-biblical history that adds context to the Scriptures, provide archaeological support for the accuracy of biblical narratives, write the commentaries they read, and much more. Many biblical scholars are not faithful and believing, but we must not throw the baby out with the bath water. Not everyone can be a lawyer, but people need lawyers. Not everyone can be a doctor, but people need doctors. Not everyone can be a Bible scholar, but we surely need them. We need more faithful, believing scholars!
3 comments
These are great thoughts. I was drawn to this article because I am a graduate student in one of our Christian colleges.
It is worth pointing out that many of the very solid gospel preachers who have gone on to their reward (and some still living) pursued higher education: Roy Deaver, Tom Warren, William Woodson, Tom Holland, Everett Ferguson etc.
I however understand why some of our brethren are skeptical about higher education, especially when you read the works of some of our college professors who espouse higher critical views of the Bible and cast doubt on its inspiration. However, as you said, it would be irresponsible of us to throw away the baby with the bathwater.
Thanks once again for these thoughts.
thoughtful article – Paul was certainly educated. Moses was reared in the Pharaoh’s household. These men were being prepared. God used their background, experiences and knowledge to further His purposes. Unfortunately, our society (which we reflect more than we should) seems to pursue/reject learning for petty reasons; we have forgotten that education is useful in the pursuit of wisdom and discernment.
I single out only one phrase, because of recent damage to a congregation in our area: “research extrs-biblical history”. A false teacher led many of his hearers claiming to teach them vital church history, they could not get from the Bible.