There’s a common, dangerous misunderstanding that circulates in conversations around intellectual and developmental disabilities: that some people, especially those with an IQ below 70, are somehow exempt from needing—or being able to understand—the Gospel.
But here’s the truth: The Gospel is for everyone. Period. Full stop. No exceptions. No asterisks.
The Ground Is Level at the Foot of the Cross
The Bible is crystal clear:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” – John 3:16
Not “the smart ones.”
Not “the capable ones.”
Not “the people who can write a theology paper.”
Just the world. Every tribe, tongue, ability, and mind.
We, as humans, love to build dividing lines—between able and disabled, educated and uneducated, independent and dependent. But Jesus erased those lines. He welcomed children, healed those the world had cast out, and spoke directly to those society overlooked. If Jesus never qualified His love or message, why would we?
An IQ score is just a measurement—a human one at that. It’s a number, not a person’s worth. And it’s certainly not a spiritual metric.
There is no verse in Scripture that says,
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…except those under 70 IQ.”
It’s not there. You won’t find a single asterisk on the pages of the Gospel message that excludes someone based on their cognitive ability.
In fact, the message of Jesus is beautifully simple, and intentionally so:
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” – Acts 16:31
Belief doesn’t require a degree. Trust doesn’t depend on vocabulary. Faith isn’t measured in IQ.
We all have the same spiritual need: rescue.
Whether someone has an IQ of 130 or 30, they were created in the image of God, broken by sin, and offered redemption through Jesus. We all stand in need of grace. That includes those with intellectual disabilities.
And let’s be honest—many of us with “average” IQs still struggle to comprehend the depth and beauty of the Gospel. Yet God, in His mercy, meets us where we are and makes His truth known. He does the same for every person, regardless of ability.
Can someone with an intellectual disability understand the Gospel? Absolutely. Maybe not in abstract theological language—but through relationship, story, experience, repetition, and the Holy Spirit’s power. We’ve seen individuals with limited verbal communication express profound understanding of Jesus through art, worship, behavior, and simple faith.
The Gospel isn’t a test of intelligence—it’s an invitation to trust.
Our Job: Proclaim Without Prejudice
As Christ’s followers, we are called to “go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” That includes:
The church has no business drawing lines where God hasn’t.
Let’s stop asking, “Can they understand?” and start asking, “How can we help them understand?”
Let’s replace exclusion with access.
Let’s replace doubt with dignity.
Let’s proclaim the Gospel with confidence that God’s truth is powerful enough to reach every heart.
The Gospel isn’t for the “capable.” It’s for the broken. And that means it’s for all of us. There are no asterisks in the Kingdom of God—just open arms, a rugged cross, and an empty tomb wide enough for every person to walk through.
