Dumb and Dumber: Evangelicals and Fundamentalists

This article from CNN.com is an interesting read. It looks at our culture’s assumption that evangelicals (not to mention fundamentalists) are ignorant, considering factors that have contributed to that notion in recent history as well and pointing out current attempts to overcome it. As expected, the discussion focuses primarily on Bible-believers’ rejection of evolution. From a fundamentalist perspective, the article’s citing Billy Graham as an example of evangelical leaders who urged evangelicals to pursue intellectual credibility in the mid-1900’s is interesting, especially since it seems that little or no progress has been made since that time.

While a few are noting an increase in evangelical thinkers in recent years, it seems that most are still convinced that the term “Christian intellectual” is an oxymoron. And based on the criteria they’ve set, it will necessarily continue to be that way. In addition to requiring a denial of the biblical record of creation in favor of evolution, the intelligentsia are now emphasizing uncertainty as the new IQ test. As the concluding section of the article indicates, the only way to be considered intelligent in broad academia has nothing to do with academic training, advanced degrees, or being published; it’s all about tolerance:

“Evangelicals in the academy too often aren’t open to truly engaging those who disagree, said [Boston College sociologist Alan] Wolfe, who points to things like ‘faith statements’ at evangelical colleges, which require professors to proclaim Christian belief. A prospering intellectual culture wouldn’t make that requirement and shut other views out, he said.”

(HT: Larry Fitch)