http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/27/biblical-literalism-and-iq/
Razib Kahn, who works in genetics, put together data from surveys on
proportion of followers in various Christian denominations who believe the
Bible should be interpreted literally with IQ data from these different
denominations.
The denomination with the highest average intelligence test scores was also
the denomination with the lowest belief in a literal scripture
interpretation, which was the Episcopalians. The denominations with the
lowest average intelligence test scores were also the denominations with
the highest level of belief in a literal interpretation of scripture, The
Assembly of God and Pentecostal denominations.
The Methodist and Presbyterians were in the high middle level on average
intelligence test scores and low middle on belief in a literal view of
scripture, and the Southern Baptists were higher on belief in a literal
view of scripture and low medium on average denomination intelligence test
scores, meaning that this finding supports the idea that there is a
relationship between level of IQ and belief in literalism, with those of
higher IQ being lower on literalism.
The average IQ score of the Episcopalians was about 110 and the average IQ
of the Methodists and Presbyterians was about 103, with the average IQ of
the Assembly of God at about 94 and that of the Pentecostals at about 92.
Kahn also compared percentage of those in various denominations who had
post-graduate degrees with the level of belief in the denominations in a
literal interpretation of scripture. The data for this comparison shows
more denominations, including Catholics, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah's
Witnesses, and Evangelical Lutherans.
Not all denominations what are high in a literal interpretation of the
Bible are dispensationalism or Christian Zionist. The Seventh Day
Adventists are high in literal interpretation but are not
dispensationalists.
The denominations low in a literal interpretation of scripture and a higher
level of intelligence test scores are, however, not denominations which,
for example, follow Jude 1: 4 and earnestly contend for the faith once
delivered unto the saints. In the falling away of II Thessalonians 2: 3-4
the entire Church is in false doctrines, though the denominations differ in
the exact kind of false doctrines they teach. Some are not Christian
Zionist, but are luke warm and may teach only a part of the Gospel of
Christ, and a lot of stuff from the world.
An important question then, is what is it about the IQ test, probably the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, that is related to preference for a literal interpretation of scripture?
This IQ test tries to measure verbal skills, among other things. For example it tries to measure Comprehension: 18 items that require examinee to explain what should be done in certain circumstances, the meaning of proverbs, why certain societal practices are followed, and so forth.
Digit Span: Two parts, Digits forward and digits backwards. Examinee required to repeat 3 - 9 digits forward and 2 - 9 digits backwards. Measures short-term memory, attention, and concentration..
It attempts to measure Vocabulary: 66 words of increasing difficulty are presented orally and visually. Examinee required to define the words. Score (0-2) based on sophistication of definition. Measures verbal knowledge and concept formation.
All of these cognitive abilities - Comprehension, Digit Span, or Attention Span, and Vocabulary, or understanding of the meaning of words, can all relate to a preference for that which is literal above that which is written as parables or metaphors.
And a belief in a consistent literal view of all scripture may be related
to the cultures with which the various denominations are associated.
Kahn says "It seems the most plausible model is one which notes that
various denominations tend to have particular socioeconomic profiles which
shape a general cultural outlook…"
Kahn's Table 4,2 also shows the growth rate, 1965 to 1991, by denomination.
The denominations that grew more in membership in that period were the more
literalist denominations, from the Pentecostals down to the Southern
Baptists. The Catholics only grew 23 percent. All the more non-literalist
denominations lost church members.
If you want to grow your church into a mega church with hundreds and
sometimes thousands of members, then make sure you teach a literalist
interpretation of scripture. The Seventh Day Adventists were the only
denomination which grew significantly that is not a dispenationalist one.
The denominations that grew in membership were mostly the
dispensationalist-literalist ones, and if Chafer is right, they are the
denominations, in teaching dispensationalist-literalist Bible
interpretation, which have a Gospel message easier to understand - and are
those not weaned from the milk who cannot take the strong meat of the word.
"Not one instance exists of a 'spiritual' or figurative fulfilment of
prophecy... Jerusalem is always Jerusalem, Israel is always Israel, Zion is
always Zion... Prophecies may never be spiritualised, but are always
literal." C.I. Scofield, Scofield Bible Correspondence Course (Chicago,
Moody Bible Institute, 1907), pp. 45-46.
"To be sure, literal/historical/grammatical interpretation is not the sole
possession or practice of dispensationalists, but the consistent use of it
in all areas of biblical interpretation is." Charles C. Ryrie,
Dispensationalism (Chicago, Moody Press, 1995), page 40.
"I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and
used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets." Hosea 12: 10
"All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a
parable spake he not unto them:" Matthew 13: 34
As they often do, the Christian Zionists say the exact opposite of what
scripture says. Scripture says God often speaks in similitudes and in
parables but Christian Zionists say all scripture is to be interpreted
literally.
Razib Kahn, who works in genetics, put together data from surveys on
proportion of followers in various Christian denominations who believe the
Bible should be interpreted literally with IQ data from these different
denominations.
The denomination with the highest average intelligence test scores was also
the denomination with the lowest belief in a literal scripture
interpretation, which was the Episcopalians. The denominations with the
lowest average intelligence test scores were also the denominations with
the highest level of belief in a literal interpretation of scripture, The
Assembly of God and Pentecostal denominations.
The Methodist and Presbyterians were in the high middle level on average
intelligence test scores and low middle on belief in a literal view of
scripture, and the Southern Baptists were higher on belief in a literal
view of scripture and low medium on average denomination intelligence test
scores, meaning that this finding supports the idea that there is a
relationship between level of IQ and belief in literalism, with those of
higher IQ being lower on literalism.
The average IQ score of the Episcopalians was about 110 and the average IQ
of the Methodists and Presbyterians was about 103, with the average IQ of
the Assembly of God at about 94 and that of the Pentecostals at about 92.
Kahn also compared percentage of those in various denominations who had
post-graduate degrees with the level of belief in the denominations in a
literal interpretation of scripture. The data for this comparison shows
more denominations, including Catholics, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah's
Witnesses, and Evangelical Lutherans.
Not all denominations what are high in a literal interpretation of the
Bible are dispensationalism or Christian Zionist. The Seventh Day
Adventists are high in literal interpretation but are not
dispensationalists.
The denominations low in a literal interpretation of scripture and a higher
level of intelligence test scores are, however, not denominations which,
for example, follow Jude 1: 4 and earnestly contend for the faith once
delivered unto the saints. In the falling away of II Thessalonians 2: 3-4
the entire Church is in false doctrines, though the denominations differ in
the exact kind of false doctrines they teach. Some are not Christian
Zionist, but are luke warm and may teach only a part of the Gospel of
Christ, and a lot of stuff from the world.
An important question then, is what is it about the IQ test, probably the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, that is related to preference for a literal interpretation of scripture?
This IQ test tries to measure verbal skills, among other things. For example it tries to measure Comprehension: 18 items that require examinee to explain what should be done in certain circumstances, the meaning of proverbs, why certain societal practices are followed, and so forth.
Digit Span: Two parts, Digits forward and digits backwards. Examinee required to repeat 3 - 9 digits forward and 2 - 9 digits backwards. Measures short-term memory, attention, and concentration..
It attempts to measure Vocabulary: 66 words of increasing difficulty are presented orally and visually. Examinee required to define the words. Score (0-2) based on sophistication of definition. Measures verbal knowledge and concept formation.
All of these cognitive abilities - Comprehension, Digit Span, or Attention Span, and Vocabulary, or understanding of the meaning of words, can all relate to a preference for that which is literal above that which is written as parables or metaphors.
And a belief in a consistent literal view of all scripture may be related
to the cultures with which the various denominations are associated.
Kahn says "It seems the most plausible model is one which notes that
various denominations tend to have particular socioeconomic profiles which
shape a general cultural outlook…"
Kahn's Table 4,2 also shows the growth rate, 1965 to 1991, by denomination.
The denominations that grew more in membership in that period were the more
literalist denominations, from the Pentecostals down to the Southern
Baptists. The Catholics only grew 23 percent. All the more non-literalist
denominations lost church members.
If you want to grow your church into a mega church with hundreds and
sometimes thousands of members, then make sure you teach a literalist
interpretation of scripture. The Seventh Day Adventists were the only
denomination which grew significantly that is not a dispenationalist one.
The denominations that grew in membership were mostly the
dispensationalist-literalist ones, and if Chafer is right, they are the
denominations, in teaching dispensationalist-literalist Bible
interpretation, which have a Gospel message easier to understand - and are
those not weaned from the milk who cannot take the strong meat of the word.
"Not one instance exists of a 'spiritual' or figurative fulfilment of
prophecy... Jerusalem is always Jerusalem, Israel is always Israel, Zion is
always Zion... Prophecies may never be spiritualised, but are always
literal." C.I. Scofield, Scofield Bible Correspondence Course (Chicago,
Moody Bible Institute, 1907), pp. 45-46.
"To be sure, literal/historical/grammatical interpretation is not the sole
possession or practice of dispensationalists, but the consistent use of it
in all areas of biblical interpretation is." Charles C. Ryrie,
Dispensationalism (Chicago, Moody Press, 1995), page 40.
"I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and
used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets." Hosea 12: 10
"All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a
parable spake he not unto them:" Matthew 13: 34
As they often do, the Christian Zionists say the exact opposite of what
scripture says. Scripture says God often speaks in similitudes and in
parables but Christian Zionists say all scripture is to be interpreted
literally.
