Intellectuals generate ideas and ideas matter, whether those ideas are right or wrong, and they matter far beyond the small segment of society who are intellectuals. Ideas affect the fate of whole nations and civilizations.

via Thomas Sowell : Intellectuals and Society – Townhall.com.

Dr. Sowell makes a good point, albeit politically.  This kind of thinking is why I believe teaching and preaching right doctrine is so important.  Ideas matter, and for the Christian right knowing precedes right living.  In order to us to live as Christ intends, we must see the world, sin, mankind and everything as He sees it.  That only happens through teaching the rights ideas.

I see this as one of the great deficiencies of the Evangelical church.  In my limited experience doctrine is briefly taught in a membership class, occasionally referenced from the pulpit and sometimes covered in a small group.  We need Christians who are steeped in Scripture, know what it is they believe, why they believe it and are contemplating how those beliefs change the way we live.