Anti-intellectualism

Which has nothing to do with intellectualism.

 

Intellectual enough to communicate and wisdom enough to know what to communicate in a way that it could be understood.

 

Yea the intellectual psychobabble of today cannot be compared to anything Paul did.

 

When one thinks that God's word is eternal what else matters much in comparison. Yet so many have been sold a make me feel good religion that draws people in the door but gives them nothing except good feelings until they realize their children do not know what scripture teaches and are unable to make basic spiritual decisions.

 

And the simple gospel is the cure for this.

 

Are you talking about the account in Acts 17? When I read of Paul's adventures there, I see an excellent example of cross-cultural evangelism:

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, "We shall hear you again concerning this." So Paul went out of their midst. But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. (Acts 17:32-34 NASB)

I suggested this as an example of questionable results to my Pastor, through whom God has brought many thousands to salvation, all over the world. He shrugged, and said that's the common reaction to the Gospel: some believe, some reject, and some want to hear more.

Jim

 

Perhaps it is sometimes a matter of habit? People who are naturally intellectual, spend all their time on such tasks, talk with other intellectuals, and enjoy intellectual leisure activities, may naturally approach any new idea that way. Or, even if they are prideful, should we not still share Christ with them in any way that works? Or do they need to fix their attitude before coming to Him?

Good point, perhaps my understanding of this scripture is flawed. When I consider the context, it seems Paul is dealing with factions in the Corinthian church. Factionalism that resulted from intellectual debates, and so he reminds them of the simplicity of the gospel, and his own cross-focused presentation. Indeed, even in 2 Cor (1:10 and 11:6), he admits to being plain in speech. So he seems to be saying "the gospel is simple, I communicated it simply, so don't let intellectual discussions by others split you up". He reminds us that the cross is not a matter of reason, and must be accepted in faith, in a childlike manner. This seems a powerful warning to any who would seek to present the gospel in intellectual terms, not to slip into intellectualism. Is this necessarily the same as saying we should just never use intellectual terms, no matter who we are sharing with?

Over the last several years, the Lord has placed a burden on my heart for what many would call "intellectuals". I've been prayerfully searching scripture for wisdom in reaching out to them, and am grateful to be reminded of these passages. I appreciate your wisdom in understanding them properly.

 

The key to evangelism is found in Psalm 126:6. We need a broken heart for the lost, then and only then will we reach them. As far as reaching intellectuals vs. reaching a biker the method should be the same. Anything else is only making the gospel more palatable. And that always waters down the truth.

 

Most real intellectuals come disguised as simple men who put the cookies on the lower shelves, men like J.R. Rice, McGhee,Walvoord,Zuck, Evans,Chafer,Ironside,uhoh those guys are all fundamentalists in the old sense of the word too.What do you know?Being a real intellectual is hard work.

Then of course those self proclaimed intellectuals tend to do so (recognize themselves) because nobody else will do it for them.False scholarship will not make you an intellectual, it just makes you deeply entrenched in false ideas.

My experience has been fundamentalists do not mind good sound scholarship that is in line with God's Word, it's the phonies we can't stand and will not tolerate starting with the whole school of Higher Criticism(poorly named).:godisgood:

 

The problem is that often true intellectuals are not so proud as others may think and do not see themselves as any different than many others. It is those who have stopped learning and may be smart who are arrogant. I see that same attitude among non-intellectuals in the approach to their job and other things in life. Some are proud of their ignorance thinking that what they know is best. I have never met a person who really seeks to know who isn’t humbled by the vastness of knowledge and yet how much there is to know that would be impossible to learn in a lifetime and more. The magnitude of God is far greater than any one person.

Intellectuals are often looking for meaning in life just as others who are not perceived as intellectuals. They may be reached initially in a different way but in the end it is the same.

As for myself I enjoy the dialog I have with people that are always learning. I find it most difficult to reach people who do not think because they have little to discuss.

If we cannot get past the intellectual part with people then we will never reach their emotion and will. It is like when I was looking to buy a home and there were times when I walked in a home and within a few seconds I walked out. At times the realtor asked me why I did not like the home. Most often it was because of structural problems are some other kind of flaws that were expensive to fix. If I could not see myself buying that home because of intellectual knowledge no other amount of persuasion would work.

Good for you. Have you considered student work?

That is exactly the reason why I decided to go into teaching at a secular university. The opportunities are endless. The students are in a learning environment. I challenge them to be life long learners. Most likely those students will be leaders in communities and in their jobs. However if a person tries to be somebody he is not then people will see through it. We tend to reach people likes ourselves. There are tremendous opportunities to talk with faculty and students. People will come to me because they trust me to tell them the truth and because I genuinely love them. When I am teaching I feel as though I am in another world and look forward to each opportunity I have. To think they pay me to teach and carry the gospel at the same time is a privilege from God. The thought of affecting a student for Christ for the rest of his life is awesome.

 

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]2 Timothy 3:1-9[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica] 1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate F6 concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.[/FONT]

 

There are those who do seem to keep learning but they really get dumber each day because they are not humble enough to quit focusing on themselves. They are easily recognized though by theri attitude and faulty knowledge. They have a certain attitude which points to them and their ego instead of to God or their sincere search for the meaning of life. The non-believer does not know God but there are those who are searching for truth. Who better to give it than the one whop knows Christ. I have met extremely intelligent men who will listen to people who may not be nearly as intellectual but I have seen brilliant men who when asked simple questions do not know the answer. The person who knows his Bible is miles ahead in knowledge and wisdom of the person who does not know God. There is no doubt in my mind that the person who knows God knows more about anything he could possibly know about than the person who does not know God.

Some of the most powerful men I have met are brilliant yet recognize where that came from.

A few days ago my daughter and I had a discussion. I told her that if she wanted to be the best she could possibly be then she needs to know her Bible well. I think that is true for every person

I do belivee we have a lot of ignorant men and women today. We have a lot of people who are deluded because they are not doers of the word. We have preachers and teachers who teach them nothing in regards to showing them how to do ministry. A lot of people get preached at on Sunday and told ot work with few in the field with them showing them how its done. I do not see how anyone can be filled with the Holy Spirit who is not discipling people and helping others to grow. That is one of the basic commands of scripture. If there is no connection to the vine then there is no fruit. That does not just mean fruit of the Spirit only, but followers of Christ. In Mt. 4:19 it says, Follow me and I wil make you fishers of men." Fishers catch fish. As they are catching fish they learn to get better at it. They gain wisdom and dedication to the task of catching fish. People who get preached at and decide to catch fish will never learn to catch fish if they never get started. Many times it takes someone else to get them started on hte path. The church desperately needs those people who are in the field working to show them how.

 

Maybe for you the intellectuals are foreign missions?
For me the intellectuals are home missions.
It really is hard to witness against those who
call themselves 'Fundamentalists' and who
malign intellectuals that they don't even understand.

 

Well said, POB! :thumbs:

 

Why is it intellectuals always say they are misunderstood? Really they are not.

 

Plain Old Bill: // ... it's the phonies we can't stand
and will not tolerate starting with the whole
school of Higher Criticism(poorly named).//

'Higher Criticism' might be correct - depending
on what they done been smokin' ???

 

I have not heard that from any I know.

 

Intellectuals and bikers

There is much Scripture about not corrupting the gospel message, and how easy it is to be confused by intellectualism. But that's different than how you share the gospel message. How does the Bible teach us that?

He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalms 126:6 NASB)​

My sentiments, exactly. Paul seems to echo that:

To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
(1 Corinthians 9:22-23 NASB)​

He seemed to illustrate that by speaking to the Jews from scripture, and to the Greeks from Greek poetry and philosophy. In both cases he won some to Christ. He spoke differently under guidance of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13, etc) Does that teach anything?

I have a heart to reach out to intellectuals, with whom I work and count as friends. I have found more opportunity and fruit when talking with them on their terms, in their language. As long as the gospel is not adulterated, what else matters?

 

Amen, Brother Jimc06 -- Preach it! :thumbs:

 

No Where in scripture does it say Paul spoke to the greeks with poetry and philosophy. That is complete eisegesis. We never talk with people on their terms. We just presnet the gospel on God's terms. The terms of the world is to ignore sin and repentence. Salvation cannot be had without it.