Sure, but 'using' Spacemacs is still perfectly possible without learning Lisp and Emacs internals. I use magit, orgmode, tramp, and I'm in Emacs for significant chunks of the day. I'd say that doesn't only mean that I'm a proper 'user' of Emacs, but that I'm pretty serious about it!

Of course as a Lisp weenie I do intend to dive into Emacs and honestly part of the reason I don't is that I'm afraid I'll end up spending way too much time diving and tinkering.