An Evangelical Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste

I was taught that “thinking Christianly” was the follow-up to “praying the prayer.” Then again, I entered the kingdom as a college senior through the portal of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. But I think it is not unusual for a new Christian to encounter such works as J. I. Packer’s Knowing God, John Stott’s Basic Christianity, John White’s The Fight, A. W. Tozer’s The Pursuit of God, Francis Schaeffer’s The God Who Is There, or a whole library from C. S. Lewis-which is the fare on which I was nourished. These authors either assumed or argued that God wished for us to engage our intellectual gifts to their fullest capacities. After all, Christ was lord of our minds just as much as he was lord of our bodies and souls.

So it was with some ambivalence that I encountered Mark Noll’s lecture-then-book The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind. A scandal? As I read the book, I kept wanting to say, “Yes, but . . .”

Having a job where at times I can make my wishes come true, I invited the scholars I wanted to hear from to come to our office and engage the thesis of Mark’s book. I even got to ask some of the questions. A mere listing of the institutions represented-Oxford University, Wheaton College, Dallas Theological Seminary, Fuller Theological Seminary-blunts the sharp edges of Mark’s thesis. I think you will be stimulated by the frank, wide-ranging conversation that ensued (see “Scandal?” which begins on p. 20).

Are evangelicals anti-intellectual? Not an easy question for ct to ask. But it is the right time to ask it. As a movement, we are in a new place. God has blessed us with many churches, colleges, seminaries, publishing houses, and ministries. Preserving the fundamental doctrines of the faith is no longer the anxious concern it was a generation ago; now the issue is maturing along with our success. So it is time to shine a light on the things we have ignored, to listen to the Holy Spirit as he transforms us “by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2)-which was one of my favorite verses in college.

-Michael G. Maudlin, Managing Editor

Copyright © 1995 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

ctcurrtk5T90035814

Our Latest

Train Up a Village

Modern parenting can be isolating and exhausting. But in the church, raising children is a shared responsibility.

Excerpt

Kids Should Learn the Minor Prophets Too

A new children’s book series explores the neglected prophetic books and how they point to Jesus.

Where Ya From?

Leading with Excellence with Nicole Martin

Nicole Martin stops by to share some of the lessons of servant leadership she’s learned behind the pulpit, in the classroom, and in her new role with Christianity Today.

Yours, Mine, and ‘Our Father’

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus calls his divided followers to pursue unity as the family of God.

Public Theology Project

How to Get Through the Next Four Years

The nonstop news cycle will be crazy. You don’t have to be.

News

And the Word Became Accessible: Publishers Release Dyslexia-Friendly Bibles

Designer hopes a new, custom typeface will be a life-changing tool for those with reading disorders.

‘Heretic’ and the Truth That Sets Us Free

In the Hugh Grant horror movie, Latter-day Saint missionaries are entrapped in more ways than one.

The Russell Moore Show

Media and Leadership in a World on Edge

Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of ‘The Atlantic,’ talks about politics, Palestine, and publishing.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube