Life Quote by Jerry A. Coyne
““In other words, the difference in expertise between theologians and “average” believers is small — not nearly as great as the difference in expertise between professional evolutionists and science-friendly laypeople. The difference between theologians and believers is not their differential acquaintance with the truth about God, but the greater acquaintance of theologians with the history of theology.People like Hart, despite their intelligence, have no more handle on the nature of God than do Joe and Sally in the street. Theologians are, as we all know, simply confecting things about God, and then selling them using fancy words and their academic credentials. Let Hart give us one bit of evidence that he has greater insight into God than, say, Rick Warren, and then I’ll pay attention to what he has to say. Otherwise, I see Hart as retreating to the Last Redoubt of the Theologian: the definition of God as something that is immune to all disproof—and thus subject to Hitchens’ Razor: “what can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence." The 'Best Arguments for God's Existence' Are Actually Terrible (New Republic, Jan. 16, 2014)””
About This Quote
Source Article: “The ‘Best Arguments for God’s Existence’ Are Actually Terrible”, New Republic, Jan. 16, 2014
The quote argues that theological expertise does not equate to deeper insight into God, and that theologians often rely on academic prestige rather than evidence.
In simple terms: Theology expertise doesn’t guarantee better understanding of God.
Key Takeaway
Demand evidence over credentials.
Themes
theology
expertise
evidence
skepticism
Mood
skeptical
critical
inquisitive
Type
analytical
philosophical
skeptical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- public discourse
- religious education
- media commentary
Key Concepts
epistemology
authority
faith
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we differentiate between credible scholarship and empty rhetoric?
- What role should evidence play in theological discussions?
A Different Perspective
Claims may overlook genuine scholarly contributions that are evidence‑based.