"Intellectual Humility"

I’ve been thinking (which I admit is often a dangerous activity)—is there really such a thing as “intellectual humility?” It seems that the word “intellectual” and the word “humility” are not usually associated together. Not infrequently, an “intellectual” is thought of as arrogant and ungracious (especially if someone disagrees with him). But does this have to be the case? Does it necessary follow that knowledge breeds pride?
       Now, before we delve into this questions, please allow me to take a quick, but relevant, detour... What is truth? In our culture, there is a pervasive opinion that truth is relative. In other words, truth as an absolute and objective category does not really exist. It is not uncommon to hear, for example, the following sentiment in our modern speech: “You believe your thing, and I’ll believe my thing, and then we’ll all get along just fine.” The assumption here is that what is “true” for one person may not be “true” for another person. Granted, on a superficial level (such as our favorite flavor of ice cream), this statement may be valid. However, for the vast majority of life experiences, this relativistic understanding of truth fails at all levels—personal, practical, spiritual, and even logical. No sane person, for instance, holds a relativistic understanding of truth at the traffic light (a red light does not mean both “go” and “stop”), at the doctor’s office (a patient either has cancer or he doesn’t), or at their wedding (“I do” as a promise does not mean “I might”). The same principle applies to God—He either exists, or He doesn’t. Consequently, a person who believes that God exists and another person who doesn’t cannot both be right. Someone will be absolutely wrong! And saying that someone is “wrong” is not considered “loving.” Or is it?
       As a doctor, I face this dilemma almost everyday. Sometimes to reduce a child’s fever, parents will give their sick child an “ice bath.” Although this practice may have been common 50 years ago, it is not currently considered a good practice because of the risks of hypothermia. Now, as a good doctor, what am I to say? Do I relativistically affirm that the consequences of “ice baths” do not exist? Or do I tell the “narrow” and “exclusive” truth about the dangers of giving ice baths. Obviously, the loving thing to do is to tell the truth (with humility).
       So going back to our original question: can a person be “intellectual” and “humble” at the same time? Obviously, the answer is yes. And for a true Christian, this mixture may look something like this:

1. “Intellectual humility” does not deny the exclusivity of truth—it affirms it! When Jesus states in John 14:6—“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”—he was obviously making an exclusive truth claim. But as we have already discuss, absolute truth claims are not in themselves “unloving” (assuming that they are true). And by affirming the exclusivity of Christ’s claims we are not being “narrow-minded” and unkind—we are offering tremendous hope and unimaginable joy! Even preaching the Doctrine of Hell is not unkind if it leads the unbeliever to the tender and loving embrace of Christ. If we as Christians really believe in Hell, then that should motivate us to spread the gospel of Christ—as soon as possible!
2. “Intellectual humility” deeply considers the “method” of delivery. In the well-known passage in 1 Corinthians 13, the apostle Paul writes, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” Therefore, our motive (and “method” of delivery) is radically important. Paul continues, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
3. “Intellectual humility” does not “force itself” upon the volition of others. Although the Christian is most definitely called to boldly affirm and preach the truth, we are not called to “change the minds” of the unbeliever. That job rests solely on the Holy Spirit. Our job is simply to joyfully proclaim the gospel.
4. “Intellectual humility” is able to admit uncertainty. Let’s face it. There are some things in the Bible that are obviously clear—the divinity of Christ for example. But there are other things in the Bible that are less “obvious”—the interaction between God’s complete sovereignty and man’s personal responsibility. Intellectual humility will allow for “mystery” in those areas where the Bible remains vague. Of course, the irony is that the ability to spiritually discern between those areas that are “clear” and those areas that are “vague” requires tremendous disciplined and prayerful study of Scripture!

So there you have it! I’m sure that there are more (and better) points that can be made (and feel free to add some in the comment section), but that’s all that my tired brain could produce right now... Please allow me to close this blog will a simple prayer...

Father, help us to be a humble and loving people. Forgive us (and me especially) for those time where we have been “noisy gongs.” You call us to know you as you reveal yourself in Scripture (so help us in our study of your Word). But help us also, as we gain knowledge of you, not to be “puffed up.” Helps us to display genuine gentleness, patience, kindness, and most of all love. In Christ’s holy and precious name we pray... Amen.