Anti-intellectualism refers to opposition or hostility towards intellectuals, intellectual pursuits, and education in general. Some common characteristics of anti-intellectualism include:
- Dismissing the value of experts and expertise
- Suspicion or distrust of the intellectual elite
- Denigration of higher education and academic pursuits
- Disregard for nuance, complexity, ambiguity
- Rejection of science and rational thinking
- Exalting action over critical reflection
Throughout history, anti-intellectual movements have tended to arise during periods of rapid social change and dissatisfaction with the status quo. Some argue that anti-intellectualism reflects a distrust of those perceived as cultural elites imposing unwanted change on ordinary people.
When it comes to Christianity, there are divergent views on whether or not it promotes anti-intellectualism. Some of the key considerations in this debate include:
Arguments that Christianity is anti-intellectual
- Emphasis on faith over reason. Christianity teaches that spiritual truth is accessed through faith, prayer, and revelation, rather than rational inquiry or scientific investigation.
- Rejection of worldly wisdom. Passages like 1 Corinthians 1:20 instruct believers not to rely on the wisdom of the world but to embrace the foolishness of the gospel. This is seen by some as devaluing intellectual pursuits.
- Anti-elitism. The New Testament praises the simple faith of ordinary people over the learning of religious scholars. Jesus gave important teachings to uneducated fishermen rather than the educated elite.
- Warnings about knowledge. Passages like Genesis 2:17 or 1 Corinthians 8:1 suggest too much knowledge can lead to sin, evil, and separation from God.
- Persecution of heretics. Christian institutions like the medieval church suppressed free inquiry and new ideas deemed heretical.
- Rejection of Greek philosophy. Early Christian writers like Tertullian rejected Greek philosophy and emphasis on logic/reason as incompatible with faith.
- Anti-intellectual denominations. Some evangelical and fundamentalist denominations are wary of scientific theories, higher criticism, philosophy, etc.
- Belittling of education. Groups that emphasize simplicity, like the Amish, often devalue formal education and advanced learning.
Arguments against the idea of Christianity as anti-intellectual
- Jesus valued understanding. He explained parables to disciples, honoring their desire to go deeper. Matthew 13:51.
- Calls to love God with all our mind. Christianity calls people to engage intellectually. See Matthew 22:37.
- Long tradition of Christian scholarship. Monks preserved ancient manuscripts. Universities grew out of the medieval church.
- Emphasis on theology and philosophy. Christians have long valued reasoning about spiritual questions.
- Appreciation of natural world. Christian thinkers helped give rise to modern science, believing nature reveals God.
- Calls to test teachings. Believers are instructed to use discernment and evaluate truth claims rationally. 1 John 4:1.
- Champions of the life of the mind. Christians like Augustine, Aquinas, C.S. Lewis, Francis Schaeffer, and Alvin Plantinga made major intellectual contributions.
- Nuanced view of human reason. While fallen, reason is still valued in its proper place below revelation.
- Foundations of education, academic freedom. Many universities were founded by Christians to glorify God through study.
Key biblical principles related to anti-intellectualism
While the Bible does not directly address anti-intellectualism as a philosophical concept, it does emphasize certain principles that provide insight into a balanced Christian perspective on the life of the mind:
- Value of wisdom and knowledge. “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding.” (Proverbs 3:13) Biblical wisdom literature affirms the importance of gaining knowledge, insight, and learning.
- Role of reason. “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord.” (Isaiah 1:18) Humans are called to love and seek God with their minds, reflecting His rational nature.
- Limitations of human wisdom. “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men.” (1 Corinthians 1:25) Human intellect is good but limited; God’s wisdom is greater.
- Dangers of knowledge. “Knowledge puffs up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1) Pride, arrogance, and greed can result when knowledge is pursued for its own sake.
- Priority of truth. “Buy truth, and do not sell it.” (Proverbs 23:23) All subjects of study must be pursued with a love for truth rooted in God’s revelation.
- Humbly loving God and neighbor. The Great Commandments call believers to love God with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27) and to humbly serve their neighbors.
In essence, the Bible presents a nuanced perspective – affirming the God-given capacity for human intellect while pointing to God’s wisdom and truth as the proper aim and limit of intellectual pursuits. This allows for scholarly rigor alongside humility and an eternal perspective.
Examples of anti-intellectual tendencies among Christians
While Christianity is not inherently anti-intellectual, there have been times when Christians or Christian groups have demonstrated anti-intellectual tendencies such as:
- Suppressing scientific findings that seem to contradict scripture, such as heliocentrism or evolution.
- Rejecting higher criticism of biblical texts or formational history by scholars.
- Attacking academics as godless elites trying to undermine faith.
- Scoffing at philosophy, literature, and the humanities as irrelevant or dangerous.
- Valuing religious indoctrination over critical thinking and education.
- Condemning the “worldly” pursuit of academic excellence and learning.
- Believing faithful inspiration trumps careful biblical scholarship.
- Disparaging education systems as bastions of secular humanism.
- Rejecting theories of natural selection, age of the earth, authorship of biblical books, etc.
- Limiting education primarily to religious instruction.
These tendencies reflect a defensive or fearful posture that fails to integrate faith and intellectual inquiry. They stem from a flawed trust in human understanding rather than appreciation for both revelation and the human mind.
Dangers of anti-intellectualism among Christians
Some dangers that can arise when anti-intellectual tendencies take root in the church include:
- Stifles growth in understanding. New insights into scripture, God’s creation, and human nature can arise through academic disciplines.
- Isolates believers. Rejecting education and research fosters ignorance of important discoveries that benefit people.
- Weakens witness. Disdain for learning makes Christianity unattractive to thoughtful seekers and gives the impression faith is opposed to facts.
- Breeds arrogance and extremism. Anti-intellectual believers can become close-minded, impervious to correction, and dismissive of experts.
- Obscures complexity. Reducing scripture and theology to simplistic terms hides nuance, ambiguity, and mystery in God’s truth.
- Undervalues God’s gifts. Denigrating the intellect rejects part of God’s creation and how He equipped humans to glorify Him.
- Promotes divisions. Driving a wedge between faith and academia leads to alienation between Christians and intellectual spheres.
In general, anti-intellectualism can hinder a thoughtful, nuanced, and holistic embrace of Christianity that integrates God’s word and God’s world.
How should Christians approach intellectual pursuits?
Christians aiming to develop an approach to intellectual pursuits consistent with biblical values should:
- Acknowledge that all truth is God’s truth – whether found in scripture or through human inquiry.
- Embrace intellectual disciplines as opportunities to better understand God’s creation and gifts.
- Acknowledge the limits and imperfections of human knowledge compared to the wisdom of God.
- Maintain humility and recognize human tendency towards pride and arrogance.
- Value both faith and reason – affirming their interdependence rather than conflict.
- Aim for greater understanding while upholding the authority of God’s revelation.
- Critically analyze theories and claims – even from intellectual authorities – in light of scriptural truth.
- Infuse academic pursuits with ethical foundations of justice, compassion, human dignity.
- Make the glory of God – not prestige or recognition – the chief end of developing one’s intellect.
- Promote education and academic rigor – recognizing that all truth points to God.
Christians do not need to choose between faith and academics. A thoughtful biblical worldview can inform and enhance the life of the mind.
Examples of Christian intellectuals
Throughout history, many devout Christians have demonstrated that rigorous intellectual pursuit can complement and enhance faithful devotion to God. Some examples include:
- Augustine – Influential 4th century theologian and philosopher.
- Thomas Aquinas – Dominican friar and author of influential theological works that integrated philosophy and theology.
- Blaise Pascal – 17th century French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher.
- George Berkeley – 18th century Irish philosopher known for his empiricist and idealistic theory of metaphysics.
- C.S. Lewis – Oxford scholar and author whose popular apologetic works, like Mere Christianity, integrated reason and imagination.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer – German pastor and anti-Nazi dissident who wrote profoundly on ethical questions.
- Alvin Plantinga – Contemporary American philosopher known for work on free will, natural theology, and Christian apologetics.
- N.T. Wright – Leading New Testament scholar and retired Anglican bishop whose academic work has influenced both scholars and lay Christians.
- Alister McGrath – Prolific theologian and Oxford professor writing on historical and scientific theology.
- William Lane Craig – Christian philosopher, theologian, and apologist known for work on the philosophy of religion and multiple defenses of Christian truth claims.
While coming from diverse backgrounds and fields, these thinkers all demonstrate that profound Christian faith can not only coexist with but inspire rigorous intellectual inquiry.
Positive contributions of Christianity to academia
While charges of anti-intellectualism are sometimes leveled at Christianity, it can be argued that Christianity has made positive contributions to the development of academia and human knowledge, including:
- Preserving literacy, learning, and classical texts through monasteries during the Middle Ages.
- Establishing medieval universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Paris that developed into centers of scholarship.
- Advancing empirical scientific methods based on the belief that God created an orderly universe.
- Contributing to philosophy through thinkers like Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, and Descartes.
- Fostering natural theology studying God’s existence and attributes through reason.
- Developing hospitals, public health measures, and medical ethics.
- Promoting human dignity and equality as foundation for inalienable rights and modern legal systems.
- Inspiring stunning works of music, art, literature, and architecture.
- Founding countless colleges and universities – including many of the top schools worldwide.
- Advancing reforms in education, prisons, child labor, and slavery by social justice advocates like William Wilberforce.
While abuses have occurred when Christianity had absolute power, its legacy has often been promoting the life of the mind in pursuit of God’s truth, beauty, and redemptive purposes in the world.
Conclusion
The question of whether Christianity promotes anti-intellectualism has been a subject of debate for centuries. While biblical principles do not preclude exercising intellectual faculties, aspects of Christian theology and history have at times been perceived as hostile to academia and scholarship. This can be attributed to the inappropriate actions of some believers and the tendency of human knowledge to undermine dependence on God.
However, Christianity is not fundamentally at odds with the development and exercise of human intellect which is part of being created in God’s image. At its best, Christianity provides ethical boundaries for intellectual pursuits, while valuing academia as it elucidates God’s truth present in both scripture and the natural world. The Christian call to love God with all one’s mind remains vital.