We may wish to maintain our reputation for independent thinking. A desire to be accepted. In the past scientists were not allowed to study anything that didn't agree with current understanding of scripture. Now we must bend our understanding to fit the current view of science. Neither method is acceptable but when both the bible and the natural world are correctly understood, they will always agree.
Common sense is the first necessary attribute.
The ability to see what goes together and what does not. This is needed to see the difference between Islam and Christianity. No one questions this in law or medicine. B. It was written to common man in a common language. Belief in the inspiration of the Bible.