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Answer
The Bible states that God is a Being with intellect, as seen in the verse from (Romans 11:34), “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?” He has created a well-ordered universe where truth can be understood, and logical principles can be applied. God is the giver of human intellect, granting us the capacity to comprehend, think, reason, and remember. In Isaiah 1:18, God invites us to “reason together” with Him (ESV), engaging in a rational dialogue about sin and forgiveness.
When contemplating the human intellect, it is important to steer clear of two extremes: rationalism and anti-intellectualism. Rationalism, as discussed in this article, elevates reason as the ultimate authority and solution to life’s challenges. The rationalist believes that given enough time, one can always “figure things out” independently, asserting that human intellect can overcome any obstacle. According to philosopher Immanuel Kant in his Critique of Pure Reason, “All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then to the understanding, and ends with reason. There is nothing higher than reason.”
On the other hand, anti-intellectualism, as addressed in this article, dismisses reason as a solution to the world’s problems. It diminishes the value of academic pursuits and instead advocates for emotions, intuition, and spontaneous actions as more effective in engaging with reality and resolving issues. Poet William Wordsworth reacted against rationalism by advocating for a more sentimental, anti-intellectual perspective on life in his poem “The Tables Turned”: “Enough of Science and of Art; / Close up those barren leaves; / Come forth, and bring with you a heart / That watches and receives.”Sworth’s command to “come forth” is an invitation to leave the study and step outdoors ready to learn, instinctively, from nature.
Both rationalism and anti-intellectualism go astray. Rationalism’s reliance on human reason as the source of truth (or at least the only way to discover truth) leaves out the need for divine revelation—what happens when God’s Word doesn’t “make sense”? And anti-intellectualism’s opposition to reason precludes any comprehension of objective truth—smelling the roses should cause us to praise the Creator of the rose, but the act of smelling roses can never lead us to a full revelation of God.
The Bible teaches that human intellect is limited. “‘No human mind has conceived’ the things God has prepared for those who love him” «But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, Neither have entered into the heart of man, The things which God hath prepared for them that love him. », (1 Corinthians 2:9). Even the greatest intellects in the world have never been able to grasp the magnitude of God’s plan for the redeemed.
The human intellect is unable to grasp God’s wisdom. What we naturally consider “foolishness”—a Savior dying on a cross—God calls “the power of God and the wisdom of God” «but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. », (1 Corinthians 1:24). Relying solely on our own ability to reason, we would never arrive at the truth of the gospel. “For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; / the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate’” «For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. », (1 Corinthians 1:19). We must rely on the Word of God, not our intellect, to guide us to truth «So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. », (Romans 10:17). The outcome of God’s revelation of the gospel is that no one can boast in their own wisdom (verse 31).
Every aspect of us, including the intellect, has been impacted by humanity’s descent into sin. The intellect of the unregenerate individual has been darkened, spiritually speaking. Those who are not saved walk “in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts” (Ephesians 4:17-18). Even the most brilliant minds in the world, apart from Christ, lack genuine comprehension of God’s truths «But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. », (see also 1 Corinthians 2:14).
The intellect of the unregenerate person is antagonistic toward God. The innate inclination of humanity is to defy God, and it seems logical for them to do so. The unsaved individual can easily rationalize their own sin. “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so” «Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. », (Romans 8:7).
The intellect of the unregenerate person is also a source of pride. “Knowledge puffs up” «Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. », (1 Corinthians 8:1). Human nature being what it is, we often take pride in our knowledge and academic accomplishments. Truth be told, we tend to nurture feelings that we are more intelligent than others.
Obviously, our intellect needs redemption. Left to our own devices—along with our limited, darkened, rebellious, and prideful minds—we would never arrive at the truth of God.
Praise the Lord, when He saves a person, He redeems the entire individual—body, soul, and mind. The regenerated person is a “new creation” «Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. », (2 Corinthians 5:17) and has been given “the mind of Christ” through the Spirit «For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.», (1 Corinthians 2:16).
The saved individual can be transformed by the renewing of their mind «And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. », (Romans 12:2). They can discern between the fleeting “wisdom of this age” and the “message of wisdom among the mature” «Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: », (1 Corinthians 2:6). He is devoted to studying the Word «Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. », (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV). She is committed to loving the Lord with all her mind, thus fulfilling the greatest commandment of all «and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. », (Mark 12:30).
The biblical view of the intellect is that the mind is a wonderful gift from God, but it has been damaged by sin. As we receive God’s forgiveness through Christ, our understanding can be purified, transformed, and humbled, and we will have a new perspective on ourselves and God’s masterful plan.
