Doesn’t the Bible Say Too Much Education Is Dangerous?

Question of the week: Doesn’t the Bible claim that too much education and philosophy are dangerous?

My answer: In 1 Corinthians 1:20–30 the apostle Paul writes that not many who are highly educated are members of the redeemed host. By saying “not many” instead of “not any” Paul implies that there are means for highly educated people to become devout followers of Christ. Paul himself is an example. However, highly educated people succumb more easily to pride and in their pride find it difficult to recognize their need for a Savior and their need to submit to Jesus as the Master over their lives.

Paul in 2 Timothy 4:3–4 notes that people in rebellion against God will often resort to high-sounding philosophy to justify their rebellion. Paul here does not condemn philosophy but certainly warns against the misuse of philosophy.

The Bible repeatedly exhorts us all to pursue knowledge and wisdom. It is through the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom that we can find God and develop a relationship with him. Without knowledge we are in grave danger of “perishing” (Hosea 4:6). The Bible commands us to avoid certain kinds of knowledge; for example, knowledge about the occult and witchcraft and relationships with demons.     

Testimony to the value of knowledge, wisdom, education, and philosophy can be seen in several of the cited faith heroes and book authors in the Bible. For example, Job, Moses, Solomon, Daniel, and Paul ranked among the most highly educated and knowledgable people of their times. We would all do well to pursue knowledge and wisdom as they did and to humbly use it for the glory of God.