Evangelical Anti-Intellectualism

Os Guinness writes that "anti-intellectualism is a disposition to discount the importance of truth and the life of the mind. Living in a sensuous culture and an increasingly emotional democracy, American evangelicals in the last generation have simultaneously toned up their bodies and dumbed down their minds."

Isn't he being a bit harsh? I don't think so. Guinness goes on to write that "this contemporary form of anti-intellectualism fits perfectly with the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's prediction of that arrival of "the last man" (and woman). Secular people losing touch with transcendence, would eventually lose a reference point from which to look down and judge themselves. In the end they would lose even the capacity to despise themselves."

Sound familiar? I don't think this is just happening to secular people? Guinness calls this slide evangelical anti-intellectualism, and he calls it both a scandal and a sin. He writes,

"It is a scandal in the sense of being an offense and a stumbling block that needlessly hinders serious people from considering the Christian faith and coming to Christ. It is a sin because it is a refusal, contrary to the first of Jesus' two great commandments, to love the Lord our God with all our minds."

Guinness is pointing to the fact that we don't care as much for our mind as we do for our bodies. We are not concerned about developing our character as much as getting our way or remaining comfortable. Charles Malik speaking at the dedication of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College in 1980 said,

"I must be frank with you: the greatest danger besetting American Evangelical Christianity is the danger of anti-intellectualism. The mind as to its greatest and deepest reaches is not cared for enough."

This was recognized by others as Bertrand Russell mocked, "Most Christians would rather die than think - in fact most do."

Is Guinness and others correct in their assessment? Guinness believes that we Christians do not think in Christian categories and, therefore, have been forced into the role of cultural imitator and adapter rather than originator. Guinness believes we are "worldly and conformist, not decisively Christian."

Is Guinness correct in his assessment? I will leave you with a few of his questions. Is there a evangelical magazine of serious ideas that exist? Is there a serious evangelical university worthy of the name of Christ that offers a program of graduate studies on par with other major universities? Has there been a constructive formulation of a evangelical public philosophy over the last hundred years?

Good questions to ponder! Blessings!