I am not one to totally negate the value of academic Jewish studies. I have benefited from this type of study myself over the years. I once seriously considered going to Bar Ilan to get a doctorate in Talmud . But then I found out that even though I would be a "Doctor" I couldn't write prescription so I shelved that idea. Instead - I got a wife from that hallowed institution and that was it [she no longer shares their Hashkafa....]. I enjoy the thoroughness, extensive annotation, clear, high level language and order. However, if one has any Yiras Shomayim and Emunas Chachomim - studying with that approach requires a critical eye. Academics are people too, so they have their biases and preconceived notions which find their way into their writings. They won't necessarily tell you what premises they are starting with but those premises are anything but academic and scholarly.
I was reading an article today from a "scholar" of Chasidus. The learned lady wrote that the Beis Yisrael of Gur would have preferred that women never have been created 馃槼馃槼馃槼 and other words of absolute gibberish-nonsense. Where does he say this? Nowhere. But that is what she wants to believe so she writes it.
Another "gem": The Imrei Emes of Gur was either not in favor of or against spirituality. WOW!! Like - aren't davening, learning and keeping mitzvos acts of spirituality?? Was [arguably] the most important Chasidic Rebbe in Europe against those those things??
But the author has a doctorate and gets paid a lot to give an occasional lecture - so who am I to argue.... 馃槂馃槂馃槃馃槃
