Full Gospel, Fractured Minds? by Rick M. Nanez

Author:Rick M. Nanez [Nanez, Rick M.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2010-02-22T16:00:00+00:00

WHY DO WE STRUGGLE WITH ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM?

As we discussed earlier in this work, many have simply been told that the Bible teaches that the mind is at enmity with God’s Spirit and that reason is the opposite of faith. But we all read the same Bible; so why do some accept this notion and some not? There are underlying causes that tempt some to want to cultivate an anti-intellectual bent. When the rubber of the heart meets the road of prejudice, it is the “want not” or “want to” that makes the difference.

Some are afraid of exposing their beliefs to scrutiny, to logic, or to alternative opinions. Perhaps at one time they were deeply rattled in their faith because of the heavy-duty data presented by an evolutionist, a Muslim, or an atheist. Instead of preparing to give excellent reasons for the faith they hold dear, they coddle their faith and thus accuse intellectual bantering of being dangerous.

Some have had a bad experience with intellectual but impractical professors, worldly seminary students, or arrogant scholars. In light of this, instead of setting out to demonstrate that we can be both intellectual and spiritual, they simply choose to stereotype those who seek higher learning as talking eggheads without a walk.

Others bash reason, logic, philosophy, or reading widely because they feel intimidated or jealous. These feelings turn into a sort of reverse prejudice. It’s like the high school student who still takes the bus to school while his friends are cruising in a shiny, four-door sedan. Instead of taking a job sweeping floors in order to purchase his own “ride,” he downplays or criticizes the other person’s pride and joy to make himself feel better. The one harboring anti-intellectual sentiments says, “Yea, but the intellect isn’t everything.” That is, they would rather criticize the guy who has worked for his knowledge than to admit that they would like to possess the same.

This latter point brings up the simple fact of laziness. There are people who desire the breath of thought, length of reasoning, and depth of knowledge but who are not willing to work for it. This shallow approach is consistent with their cry, “It’s not practical.” Many in this category would rather manicure their lawn one more time to impress their neighbors, rent ten more videos for their viewing pleasure, watch the pigskin thrown around by people they’ll never meet, or squeeze in one more fishing excursion before it gets too cold.

Often, our practicality quickly degenerates into hedonism, materialism, or laziness. As a guy who fell far short in his first semester of college and who struggled for many years with reading comprehension, I understand all too well the battle of keeping distractions at bay in order to shore up the mind and cultivate the intellect. A man who is too lazy to take a day job will criticize the man who prepared to sculpt a career. Often the one who argues against intellectual acumen is guilty of the same.

Though I want to be extremely careful about how I state this point, I think that it is a viable consideration.

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