{"id":28,"date":"2003-09-30T22:48:39","date_gmt":"2003-10-01T02:48:39","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2008-02-09T09:44:28","modified_gmt":"2008-02-09T14:44:28","slug":"the-cult-of-intellectualism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biblearchive.com\/blog\/the-cult-of-intellectualism\/","title":{"rendered":"The Cult of Intellectualism"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Keith Keyser
\n<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The following quote appeared in a recent discussion of dispensationalism by a well-known
\nBible teacher: “Many of these men [i.e. early proponents of dispensationalism] were
\nself-taught in theology and were professionals in secular occupations. Darby and Scofield,
\nfor example, were attorneys, and Larkin was a mechanical draftsman … Unfortunately some
\nof these early framers of dispensationalism were not as precise or discriminating as they
\nmight have been had they had the benefit of a more complete theological education.
\n
\nIt is unfortunate that a highly capable author, in an otherwise excellent book, makes such
\na statement! Sadly, the above sentences reflect a prevalent attitude in the
\neducation-crazed ranks of twentieth-century evangelicalism. It is commonly believed in
\nmany quarters that in order to serve God, one most first obtain “formal
\ntraining” in theology and the Scriptures; this, of course, requires attendance at a
\nBible College or Seminary. While it is not my intent to defame such institutions (for they
\ncan prove helpful in their place), I do balk at the idea that formal theological study is
\na prerequisite for Christian service. This common notion finds no support in Scripture,
\nand moreover, erodes the truths of the priesthood of all believers, the exercise of
\nspiritual gifts, and theteaching ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 16: 12-15) Instead,
\nthis idea finds its roots in the modern preoccupation with academic attainment.<\/p>\n

An examination of the credentials of the early apostles shows us that God has not made
\nformal education a mandatory requirement for His servants. Among the twelve we find
\nseveral businessmen, including fishermen and a tax-collector. As far as the Bible reveals,
\nwe do not know of any of the twelve who were formally instructed in theology. In fact, the
\ndefining characteristic of the early apostles is summed up by the impression that the
\nSanhedrin received: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived
\nthat they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them,
\nthat they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13, emphasis added.)<\/p>\n

Undoubtedly, someone will cite the example of Paul as a violation of this principle.
\nCertainly, Saul of Tarsus was educated at the feet of the great rabbinic scholar Gamaliel.
\nI would direct the reader, however, to Paul’s summation of his post-conversion theological
\neducation: “For I neither received it [i.e. the Gospel] of man, neither was I taught
\n[it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ … But when it pleased God … to reveal His
\nSon in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with
\nflesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but
\nI went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.” (Gal. 1: 12,15-17.) Like his
\ncompatriots Peter and John, Paul’s preparation for Christian service consisted of time
\nspent with the Lord Jesus.<\/p>\n

The belief that a formal course of study in theology is essential for a right
\nunderstanding of the Bible contradicts Scripture. In John 16, the Lord Jesus unequivocally
\nshowed that the professor of the Bible is the Holy Spirit. (vs. 12-16) The divinely
\nprescribed means of preparing Christians consists of prayerful study of God’s Word. The
\nlocal assembly has been selected as the place of instruction for the believer (see for
\nexample, Eph. 4:11-16.) Unfortunately, many local assemblies are not giving adequate place
\nto systematic instruction of the young people in their ranks. Furthermore, many gifted
\nbrethren are not exercising their gift, nor training their younger brothers and sisters in
\nthe doctrines of the Bible. The local assembly needs to reoccupy its position as the place
\nwhere believers are taught and edified.<\/p>\n

Throughout the history of the Church God has used both educated and uneducated men and
\nwomen to do His will. He has sometimes used highly intelligent Christians such as Martin
\nLuther, George Whitfield, J.N, Darby and B.B. Warfield to accomplish His purposes. On
\nother occasions the Lord of the Harvest sovereignly used unlettered men like Harry
\nMoorehouse, D.L. Moody, and Billy Sunday. He delights to use “the foolish things of
\nthe world to confound the wise.” (I Cor. 1:27) This is not to say that there are no
\nprerequisites for Christian service. If we are to be used of God we must first emulate
\nMary and sit at the feet of the Lord Jesus. (Luke 10:39-42) Proverbs affirms that
\n“the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”-, consequently, the potential
\nservant of Christ must spend a great deal of time alone with the All-wise Son of God.
\n(Prov. 9:10 ) Our usefulness to God will be measured more in the time of our prayer and
\nBible study with the Lord Jesus, rather than our academic transcripts. Serious Bible
\nreading with Godly teachers in the local assembly will bear more eternal dividends than
\nmere occupation with academic minutiae.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Keith Keyser The following quote appeared in a recent discussion of dispensationalism by a well-known Bible teacher: “Many of these men [i.e. early proponents of dispensationalism] were self-taught in theology and were professionals in secular occupations. Darby and Scofield, for example, were attorneys, and Larkin was a mechanical draftsman … Unfortunately some of these […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[29,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-history","category-human"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Cult of Intellectualism - Rey Reynoso's Bible Archive<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/biblearchive.com\/blog\/the-cult-of-intellectualism\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Cult of Intellectualism - Rey Reynoso's Bible Archive\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"by Keith Keyser The following quote appeared in a recent discussion of dispensationalism by a well-known Bible teacher: “Many of these men [i.e. early proponents of dispensationalism] were self-taught in theology and were professionals in secular occupations. 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