I don't think their weighing of learning has changed just social needs changed around it.
"Able to read the Bible" was considered important for monks so they were literate. It still is, but now everyone else is literate too so it's not notable anymore.
I think you should look into what medieval monks have done for science and philosophy. It wasn't just that they were literate. You're very much underestimating that.
"Able to read the Bible" was considered important for monks so they were literate. It still is, but now everyone else is literate too so it's not notable anymore.