Are there any other intellectual Christians out there?

Question

I am feeling kind of lonely. I just recently became a Christian and I am feeling lonely because I use my mind for the glory of God and nothing else. Is there anyone else that can identify? How did you overcome your thoughts and focus on the heart?

Answer 1

First of all, brother, welcome to the family. :) Secondly, no, you are not alone. YES there are Christians who are intellectuals out there. Sadly, they will be harder to find than when you were in college. This is actually true of any group, I think, but even more true in the church. Unfortunately, we've spent generations raising and rewarding children who don't have so much in the critical reasoning department, and this is what it hath wrought.

Also, keep in mind that Jesus came for the sick and not the well, and that we are the sick, too. As scripture says:

1 Corinithians 1

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

However, all that said, you *will* find Godly friends who are smarties, I promise. It does take time but there are amazingly gifted people out there who love the Lord.

Also, I recommend this book for you. It's about the sad acceptance of intellectual mediocrity that has been bred into America's modern evangelical church and what can be done to change that. It is excellent:

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Your-God-All-Mind/dp/1576830160/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-1359383-9447047?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190244735&sr=8-1

Answer 2

There's nothing wrong with using your intelligence in God's work. I wish more people would. When you say "heart" I am assuming you mean "emotion".

But if you know in your heart you are right with God, and you have a love for people, then you shouldn't worry if you aren't very emotional.

Some of the strongest, most devoted Christians I know do not show their emotions. And there's nothing wrong with that either. I tend to be highly emotional and that can really get in the way of what I'm trying to do sometimes!

I have a feeling you are going to do just fine....Blessings!

Answer 3

look, i've got made multiple posts at right here with regard to the plain stupidity of Christians, yet in all honesty, most of the main smart human beings i understand are Christians (granted, I stay in northeast Tennessee, so i understand very few fellow atheists). My brother is a fundamentalist Christian, and is amazingly nicely-examine on a number of distinctive matters. the undertaking is, Christians are indoctrinated from such an early age (and that i exchange right into a Christian for twenty-2 years, so i understand) that even with all the study one does, that's so extremely confusing to allow pass of what one has been instructed for any such enormous swatch of his or her existence. It takes a huge volume of bravery, i think of, to finally convince oneself to set aside all biases and preconceptions, and seek for the solutions, no count what they may be.

Answer 4

Stand fast in your belief. Contrary to what you may see on here there are many of us who are well educated and intellectual. There is room for both. You will achieve a balance. Your thoughts are always going to be there they are a part of you. If they are impure then they will leave as you grow in your faith. Focus on today and the gifts all around you. Remain positive and see the good things and understand that there will be bad as well. Life is not perfect but it is still a gift.

Answer 5

as a christian intellectual, keeping a focus on ADONAI
is easy. there is so much to study and learn.
biblical archaeology.
Tanakh and it's many side books.
each scripture has 7 layers of meaning.
finding a copy of the first 5 books of Moshe/Moses
because every 25th, 50th word is a code.
oh the possibilities are endless.

i'm not sure i understand about the heart. helping others
comes from knowing who our SAVIOR is. letting your
self talk to others about your belief comes next.

i hope this has helped and welcome to the family of
ADONAI/GOD the FATHER. your never alone once
you have the RUACH HAKODESH/ HOLY SPIRIT.

Answer 6

Intellectual Christians are usually called theologians.
Read about your faith there are tons of books out there get thee to Amazon.com or Barnes and Nobles and learn more!
Sitting around isn't glorifying God its getting out there and sharing the word by giving to others, join a church group.. work with Habitat for Humanity, a local food locker, a soup kitchen get over to your church and ask them what they need to be done!

Answer 7

I think that sometimes people just want a better understanding. There's nothing wrong with that. I read a lot because well, I can. Who's going to tell me to stop? Who's going to dare snatch a book from me and not take a good ol' axe whupping? My point being is who gives a damn what others may say. Just do what you do, and should anybody tell you differently, show em' the finger.

Answer 8

For "overcoming your thoughts and focusing on the heart" there is nothing more rewarding than contemplative prayer. It has a long and rich tradition in Christianity.

The Cloud of Unknowing, Meister Eckhart, John of the Cross, and others, in centuries past, Thomas Merton and Thomas Keating ("Open Mind, Open Heart") in our day.
.

Answer 9

Read 1 Corinthians chapters 2 and 3. They address what you're talking about.

Answer 10

Well I try to remember that God gave me a GIFT. It's the life he gave me and the GIFT that Jesus died so that I can be forgiven and I can live this life with joy. There is always thoughts.
I suggest "battlefields of the mind" by Joyce Meyer. It's amazing.
She speaks about changing your thoughts, from negative to positive and living with God.