Answers Quote by Francis Schaeffer
“Sadly enough, there is a kind of an anti-intellectualism among many Christians: spirituality is falsely pitted against intellectual comprehension as though they stood in a dichotomy. Such anti-intellectualism cuts away at the very heart of the Christian message. Of course, there is a false intellectualism which does destroy the work of the Holy Spirit. But it does not arise when men wrestle honestly with honest questions and then see that the Bible has the answers. This does not oppose true spirituality.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The God Who Is There, Francis Schaeffer, 1975
The quote argues that true spirituality and intellectual inquiry are compatible, and that anti‑intellectualism harms Christian faith.
In simple terms: Spirituality and intellect can coexist; anti‑intellectualism harms faith.
Key Takeaway
Embrace thoughtful questioning within faith.
Themes
faith
intellectualism
spirituality
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- church study groups
- academic seminars
- personal study
Key Concepts
theology
philosophy
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How can believers balance faith with critical inquiry?
- What role does honest questioning play in spiritual growth?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook historical tensions between doctrine and reason.
![“When I wrote that [Donald] Trump piece, I had this uncomfortable experience of sensing a lot of things that were nascent, that I couldn't quite articulate. And one of them was this move toward anti-intellectualism. An anti-love move, even.” quote by George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9cc/george-saunders-317_anti-love_when-i-wrote-that-donald-trump-piece-i-h_816340.jpg)
