Why Christians Undervalue Jesus as the Greatest Thinker

As I was preparing a talk on “Loving Truth: A Profound Challenge,” I stumbled upon a point that hit me square between the eyes. Not because it was new, but because I had written it myself—years ago, in my first Bible study with LifeWay, Why Do You Believe That? The realization? Christians follow the Greatest Teacher who ever lived, yet many don’t carry a lifelong commitment to learning. That inconsistency really impacted me. If we claim to love truth, why do we so often settle for surface-level understanding?

We Christians often talk about Jesus as the Savior, the Messiah, the Son of God – and rightfully so. But how often do we truly celebrate Him as the Greatest Thinker who ever lived? It’s a title He deserves, yet one we frequently fail to fully appreciate. I suspect several factors contribute to this undervaluing of Jesus’s intellectual prowess.

Overemphasizing one attribute

We often overemphasize one aspect of Jesus, narrowing our focus to just one of His attributes: like his role as the suffering, sacrificial servant. I know that sounds weird, but hear me out. I have often found that we focus so heavily on His divine role in redemption that we sometimes miss the profoundly intellectual depth of His teachings. Of course, His spiritual authority is of utmost importance, but He was likewise the most brilliant teacher, debater, and – dare I say – philosopher. By overlooking this aspect, we diminish the fullness of His nature and character. You see, with Christ, it's not an "either/or" situation; it's a "both/and."

The separation of faith and reason

Another issue is the unfortunate separation of faith and reason that has been prevalent in some Christian traditions. This artificial divide wrongly suggests that deep trust eliminates the need for critical thinking and intellectual engagement. However, Scripture itself calls us to reason with God (Isaiah 1:18) and provides instances where Jesus offered evidence and reasoned responses to honest questions about his identity (Luke 7:18-28). Viewing Jesus as a profound philosopher reveals his words not merely commands or religious instructions, but are carefully considered insights into ethics, human flourishing, meaning, purpose, and the very nature of reality. Recognizing Jesus as a thinker not only deepens our understanding of His teachings but also challenges the false divide between faith and reason, urging us to embrace both in our walk with Him.

Oversimplifying His teachings

We often simplify His teachings, reducing His parables—though accessible and beautiful—to mere one-off lessons. However, they contain profound philosophical depths that reward careful scrutiny and contemplation, offering unexpected insights into human nature. His wisdom challenges and inspires, with layers of meaning that demand intellectual engagement and reflection. By reducing them to simple moral lessons, we rob ourselves of a deeper understanding. Conversely, Scripture instructs to go further, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost you all you have, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7, NIV, emphasis mine)

Creating a two-dimensional vision of Jesus

Another contributing factor is our tendency to prioritize doctrine over engagement with His thought process. Systematic theology is crucial, of course, but it doesn’t have to come at the expense of grappling with how Jesus reasoned, how He argued, how He approached truth. Focusing solely on doctrine risks creating a static, two-dimensional vision of Jesus, failing to capture the dynamic nature of His intellectual engagement with the human condition. …and I love studying doctrine…but, yeah, this can happen.

Skepticism towards intellectualism

In some Christian circles, skepticism toward intellectualism persists, often seen as incompatible with true faith. Intellectual engagement is viewed as a threat, undermining the simplicity and purity of belief, as if thoughtful reflection diminishes the power of faith. Yet, this misconception overlooks the rich tradition of theological reflection within Christianity. Shying away from intellectualism robs us of a deeper understanding of the truths that shape our beliefs. Anecdotally, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard, “That’s above my paygrade, Sharp,” or the like, when discussing deeper aspects of Jesus. Dismissing intellectualism limits the depth of our faith and fails to recognize how intellectual rigor can enhance our spiritual journey.

Familiarity breeds complacency

Finally, the sheer familiarity of Jesus’s words can dull their impact. Because we've heard them since childhood, we often miss their radical, revolutionary, and deeply intellectual nature. We need to go beyond Sunday school summaries and embrace the challenging philosophical insights embedded within His teachings. The constant repetition of these familiar words can lead to complacency, where His words are no longer heard with the reverence or depth they deserve. This familiarity can cause us to overlook the complexity and weight of His message, reducing it to mere comforting clichés rather than engaging with its true transformative power.

We need to be lifelong learners

In short, we’re missing out. We need to rediscover Jesus as both our Savior and the Greatest Thinker who ever lived. His profound intellect shaped His message of salvation, offering wisdom that challenges both the emotions and intellect. As Colossians 2:3 reminds us, Christ is the one “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Accordingly, each believer is called to recognize the full depth of His wisdom in every aspect of life, including their own Christian education. To see Jesus wholistically—honoring both His divine role as Savior and His unmatched intellect—should set their hearts ablaze, driving them relentlessly toward lifelong learning and a fierce pursuit of truth, as is fitting of those who call him, “Lord.”