Downward spiral of Christian thought

General Faith
1

The clearest examples of anti-intellectualism is the constant shaming of the educated by the uneducated.

Sadly, insecurity, with a dose of spiritual arrogance, leads to demonizing education and those who are educated.

Anti intellectualism is to no longer see knowledge as power but as a threat. To see a variety of ideas as evil. To March in step with a cookie cutter concept of patriotism or spirituality. Reducing a colorful, rich , and vibrant intellect to black and white monotony , replacing science and art with sterile and harmful ideology. Replacing conversation and exchange of ideas with inaccurate proof texting.

2

Hi,
What do you purpose as a solution?

Blessings

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3

Fear is the opposite of faith in many ways. Understanding that science, mathematics, literature, or accurate history does not destroy faith is vital.

When I was teaching, I observed that the college kids who lost faith had no concept of subject matter others had. They were shocked when faced with reality, not the views taught by parents or pastors in some venues of Christianity.

Faith didn’t die due to what they were learning, but what was not taught in the past. Homeschooling is to blame for much of it, IMO. The blame was put on the evil professor, the war against faith.

The reality is black and white thinking destroys faith. And the rage against intellectuals and education is the result.

The answers to the problem don’t exist. Things have gone too far.

4

I think the reverse is MUCH more common. The “educated” versus the “uneducated.” Even those terms are loaded and biased against those who opted not to attend a college. There are many ways to gain knowledge, and going to college isn’t the only path to “education.”

A better way to phrase it might be the “institutionalized” versus the “free thinkers” who avoided the mind-numbing spoon-fed answers-- whether that happens in a college setting, home school, churches or any setting at all.

5

College is not about spoon feeding, but about responsible research and critical thinking. There isn’t a mass conspiracy to turn students into Satanist or atheists.

And certainly all forms of education are valid.

While I would never tell my fabulous mechanic how to do his job or that his longing for carburetors of yore is wrong, I would e pect the same concerning my are of expertise.

6

If only that were true. My own kids would testify differently, based on their personal college experiences. If there’s one thing that many college profs can’t tolerate, it’s free thinkers and students who don’t swallow everything they are fed. Critical thinking is practically banned-- you must tow the line, or suffer the consequence of downgrading. It’s the woke hive mind at work, training young people to agree, to consent, to go along to get along, and to keep their personal opinions to themselves.

7

The only time I have had that accusation come up is when documentation is required and a student either can’t provide it (or is too lazy to look for it). I live in the old Confederacy, and have students become enraged about What the war was about. Those who insist that the war was not about slavery, can’t show evidence of it. Yet, they feel persecuted when we show them documentation of the opposite.

I always say “Let’s see what the Confederates themselves had to say about it “and show numerous speeches, Diary entries, And public records where confederates proudly said that they were fighting to keep slavery intact.

But I am the “ Atheist, Liberal “ Professor for showing primary sources. These students believe I and my colleagues don’t know what we are talking about. Their bias, for what they have been told by the sons of Confederate veterans organization, Or granddaddy takes precedence over facts and my expertise.

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8

Good example. With respect to the framing of the thread, this is a major problem in theological orthodoxy, in religious institutions, on Christian forums and even in Christian homes where as you say-- home schooling has been popularized.

I have known an online “preacher/teacher” who goes by the name of 'The Tattooed Theist" who had it in his heart to go into fulltime ministry as a pastor. He had a good following of people online, and he started a forum for discussion as well-- handling many difficult and even taboo topics. He was refreshingly honest. Until he went to Seminary. There he was force-fed things he MUST believe, adhere to, and teach to others, in order to become an ordained minister. The rigidity ruined him… for a time.

9

Seminaries tend to reinforce denominational dogmas. I agree, it is an issue.

10

I can see both sides. I have an MDiv plus a year and a half of Clinical Pastoral Education and I read all sorts of books. But I still believe, for instance, in a young earth created in 6 literal days. I believe in a literal Bible unless it is obvious where something is symbolized by something. I believe in salvation by grace through faith, in a literal heaven and hell. I believe that prophets of old really did get predictive prophecy from God. Jesus did rise from the dead physically. But I can also learn spiritual truths from those who say much of scripture is symbolic, etc.

11

Love this. Luckily I was exposed to many of these things before college because my parents are a bit more open-minded then most American evangelical types. But still - there were a lot of things that did shock me that I’d wished I’d been taught properly.

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12

I don’t understand your measuring stick.

“Literal unless it’s obvious.” So when a snake is talking to Eve in the garden, as an early example… is that literal— or obviously not?

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13

Doesn’t 1 Cor. 1:27 explains this?

14

Paul is referring to Gentiles, who have no knowledge compared to Jews. God can use them this is not an endorsement of ignorance or education by a highly educated man.

15

You are limiting the scripture. That can be the problem with an intellectualist approach.
Jesus said we must come as children.

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16

My Jewish doctor friend, I love. He’s the blindest man I know.

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Don’t twist scripture or force univocality to back up willful ignorance. This is part of the issue Hofstader wrote about decades ago.

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He cannot understand the things of the Spirit because he is not born again. 1 Cor 2:14
He is in darkness. You can intercede for him but “no one can come to the Father unless he is drawn”. -Jesus

19

Hi,
How do we maintain Christian thought?

Establish the unchangeable truths of Scripture.
This has been done through the Apostles’ Creed.

         The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places

Christians cannot waiver from these truths.
When the Jehovah’s Witnesses claim good works to get you eternal life, that is not a Christian belief.
When Mormons say there is more than one god, that is not a Christian belief.

If we hold teachers to the core values of the Apostles ’ Creed, we can stop the downward spiral.

. But it starts with us knowing these truths, and walking in them.
We need to know the Scripture, so that when someone misquotes it, and they continue to teach the misquoted part, it catches our attention.

John 8:32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. KJV

Blessings

20

And my point is proven🙄
And it is clear some of you don’t understand the topic.

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