It's OK To Be Smart and a Christian
Most of the great scientific, artistic, and sociological advances in history started with people of faith. These achievements did not come in spite of their faith but because of it.
The idea that we must choose between faith and reason is wrong and has had devastating effects. Many brilliant people have assumed that faith was not for them. Many people of faith have assumed that academics are not for them. Neither are right.
The truth is that we don’t have to choose to follow either our heads or our hearts. We can people with heads and hearts… reason and faith.
Christianity does not only allow for reason, it requires it. The writer of the book of Hebrews marries faith and reason in his definition of faith found in chapter 11 and verse 1. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is SUBSTANTIAL and EVIDENTIAL. Those are not anti-intellectual words. Faith is not a shot in the dark. It is logical and thoughtful yet it still requires trust. It is both a heart thing and a head thing. It involves my brain but does not stop there. It involves my heart but does not stop there. Jesus wants all of me engaged in my relationship with Him.
Christians are not to be “headless” or “heartless” but whole!!!
Intellectuals… hear me on this. Jesus is reasonable, believable, and intellectual. Christianity wants you. The church needs you. Stop avoiding Jesus because of people who have asked you to keep your questions and criticisms to yourself. Jesus invites your sincere questions and struggles. Just remember as you ask your questions of Him that He probably has a few questions for you as well.
Find a church that welcomes your doubts and questions. Work at finding the answers in the Bible, in Him, and from sincere believers. You might be surprised at what you find.
