Yo!
Isn't it interesting that non-Catholics are accused of being lazy and having no intellectual gravitas, while those who are thought to epitomize intellectualism are only recognized as possessing that quality IF they have "Poped"? It's snobbishly asserting, "All the really smart people are Roman Catholics.", and, by deduction, nobody smart stays a non-Catholic Christian. Fake challenges are thrown down to identify the "smart" non-Catholics and list their credentials, yet, we already know ahead of time that no matter who we name - and there ARE many such persons - the very fact that they haven't gone Roman Catholic is sufficient proof that they don't qualify! What a scam.
I know the Apostle Paul faced the same prejudice when he contended for the gospel of Jesus Christ. The snooty Jewish religious leaders mocked him even after he listed his pedigree and education. I can only imagine how frustrated he got. After years of dealing with this kind of air of superiority, he finally realized that he needed to know nothing but Jesus and Him crucified. He told the church at Corinth:
This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. (I Corinthians 4:1-5)
Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit? (I Cor. 4:18-21)
Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus. (2 Cor. 1:12-14)
All the degrees and accolades of men will not matter one whit if we are not following the truth. Man looks on the outward, God looks on the heart. It is the GOSPEL which is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. That is what we need to know above everything else. What good is it to possess all knowledge but not have love?