Can you imagine any man who is worthwhile turning from that call to the church if the church seems to him to say, “Come, and we will feed you opinions from a spoon..."

Created on January 27, 2013 by Jeremiah John
 

"Science treats a young man’s mind as though it were really important. A scientist says to a young man, “Here is the universe challenging our investigation. Here are the truths which we have seen, so far. Come, study with us! See what we already have seen and then look further to see more, for science is an intellectual adventure for the truth.” Can you imagine any man who is worthwhile turning from that call to the church if the church seems to him to say, “Come, and we will feed you opinions from a spoon. No thinking is allowed here except such as brings you to certain specified, predetermined conclusions. These prescribed opinions we will give you in advance of your thinking; now think, but only so as to reach these results.”"

Been thinking a lot about liberal protestantism's legacy lately. I can't agree more with the quoted text. Mainly, I find most evangelical institutions intellectually cramped, even though on most days I can affirm the so-called "fundamentals," and have been born again.

But I also find liberal institutions' over-emphasis on the mind to neglect that which is crucial to forming good persons. Ultimately, however, fundamentalism and liberalism are cut from the same cloth: an emphasis on thinking over love, which is lived out in being and doing. I agree with Fosdick that the Fundamentalists' fundamentals are not fundament at all. The problem is that liberals answered with their excellent minds a problem which was in the heart.

Thoughts upon reading this article? Agree with me or disagree? Love to hear from you here.

Full text of "Shall the Fundamentalists Win?"

Like What You're Reading? Subscribe:

About the Author

Hi. My name is Jeremiah John. I'm a sf/f writer and activist.

I just completed a dystopian science fiction novel. I run a website which I created that connects farms with churches, mosques, and synagogues to buy fresh vegetables directly and distribute them on a sliding scale to those in need.

In 2003, I spent six months in prison for civil disobedience while working to close the School of the Americas, converting to Christianity, as one does, while I was in the clink.