Let’s, first of all, draw from Google then I will give another contextual definition if need be.
in·tel·lec·tu·al·ism
ˌin(t)əˈlek(t)SH(əw)əˌlizəm/
nounthe exercise of the intellect at the expense of the emotions.
PHILOSOPHY
The theory that knowledge is wholly or mainly derived from pure reason; rationalism.
Now let me put this term into perspective. When you say “INTELLECTUAL” you are saying the same thing as saying “INTELLECTUALISM“. However, the latter has been stereotyped by the “ism“. In other words, the word is consistent. However, the instrument (in this case being man) has abused the word and misused the term.
The “ism” suffix at the end of the word is a reflector of the misuse of the discipline. However, as we all know, we cannot stereotype the term and avoid it because it has been misused by some.
Just because rational-ism is an absurd extreme of rationality, it does not prohibit us from being RATIONAL. The Bible, in the New Testament, suffered the problem of Gnosticism. Gnosticism was sponsored by giant philosophers who believed and argued that matter (body) was evil and useless and the only value was the Spirit or soul.
They also emphasised that they had higher knowledge and actually, it is where the name was derived. Gnosis means to know. When you look at Gnosticism, one thing you won’t dispute is that these were intelligent chaps who raised fallacious arguments that turned their intellect into INTELLECTUALISM.
God is an intelligent being and he has created us in this very image of intelligence and that is the only thing that distinguishes us from other creatures. We are human beings with the capacity to deliberate, challenge and choose otherwise from our source of being – none other than God. The only problem is when we turn this intelligence into an “ism” or something to solely rely upon.
In Christian philosophy, there are two rational ways to know and be intelligent about something and these are the two Epistemology (how we know what we know) approaches by which the Christian worldview comes to its conclusions.
- YOU CAN KNOW/UNDERSTAND TO BELIEVE
- YOU CAN BELIEVE TO KNOW/UNDERSTAND.
These two are the only principles (that I know) that protect Christians from the ISMs of: INTELLECTUALISM, RATIONALISM, VOLUNTARISM, EMPIRICISM, GNOSTICISM.
Let me simplify this matter by using the discipline of THEOLOGY.
This word “THEOLOGY” is a combination of two Greek words: Theos = GOD/DEITY and logos = WORD, STUDY/LOGIC. So in essence, Theology can be defined as the word of God, or the study of God, or the rational/logical study of God.
Whoever studies the word of God is doing theology but that does not make him/her a Theologian. What makes you a Theologian is that extra endeavour to professionally turn your Bible study into a profession and join a laboratory aka university to specifically extend your study to an advanced level. The two Bible students (layman with their Bible at home and a man with his Bible at the seminary), however, must do their study with their thinking abilities uploaded for the subject matter is a conscience God.
There are two ways of understanding this God:
- General Revelation: the world and its nature features
- Special Revelation: the Bible and Jesus Christ
And this is what I pointed out as the first Christian Epistemological approach as YOU CAN KNOW/UNDERSTAND TO BELIEVE.
We are all called to analyze, criticise, weigh, synthesize, evaluate, research and question everything before we believe. It is very okay to analyze and challenge the Bible and all the revelations that claim there is God and his role in our lives. God does not want anyone to have an unreasonable faith. We are not called to follow blindly, we are called to THINK and think critically. About what we believe and this is the rationale of the study of THEOLOGY.
However, theologians, have two categories according to me:
There are those who are SCHOLARS and those who are EVANGELICAL THEOLOGIANS.
~Scholars are those that suffer from INTELLECTUALISM. It is a theology (rational thought about God) without belief. For anything to be believed, it must pass and qualify through the available means of scientific litmus test of evidence and facts.
~Evangelical Theologians are those with a theology (a rational thought about God) but with belief. These believe in rationality and do appreciate that some specific things must be believed to be understood about God.
This is where the second Epistemological approach of YOU CAN BELIEVE TO KNOW/UNDERSTAND. It is we the EVANGELICAL Theologians who argue that we should rationalise and subject everything to empirical tests and INTELLECTUALISM, but rather that some specific things must be believed to be understood (Hebrews 11:1) “Now Faith is the ASSURANCE of things HOPED for, the CONVICTION of things NOT SEEN”
This scripture is intelligent but it cannot pass the x-ray of INTELLECTUALISM.
Let me give you another one that will blow your mind:
Ephesians 2:8-9: for by GRACE you have been SAVED through FAITH; and this is not your own doing it is the gift of God. Not because of WORKS lest any man should boast.
Now read this scripture too:
James 2:14,17: What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has FAITH but has not WORKS? can his FAITH SAVE him? So FAITH by itself, if it has no WORKS, is DEAD.
Let me tell you, my friends:
Ephesians 2:8-9 is RIGHT and INTELLIGENT
James 2:14-17 is a LOGICAL FALLACY
A logical fallacy is an error in reasoning but which from the surface and face value makes sense. It is a mistake in reasoning that handles the CONSEQUENCES of the problem at the expense of the PROBLEM.
This is the problem with INTELLECTUALISM, an extreme that argues that everything must be in line with rational-ism. Science and known historiographical methods of confirming what a fact is. It is because of this INTELLECTUALISM that the atheists dismiss the existence of God and the Bible altogether.
It is INTELLECTUALISM that even those who claim to believe Jesus Christ as the Savior has rejected the true gospel of righteousness by faith and have inserted in human contribution either at the beginning (obey to be saved) or at the end (now that you are saved obey to enter heaven).
(Works of faith) and (faith that works) all fall under INTELLECTUALISM.
Lack of faith. Please look at this verse Ephesians 2:10 and tell me what you understand.
Lord bless us all
Pastor ITM White
iTiS Well of Worship Fellowship (john 4:24)
iTiS Well of Worship Fellowship (John 4:24) 