WITH OVER THIRTY YEARS OF COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION, CONSULTING, RESEARCH
and up-close observation, I might as well admit right up-front that I believe EVERY college
bound Christian student MUST at least consider a Christian college. For almost all college bound
Christian students I would be even more adamant that the first few years at least MUST be spent at
an academically challenging and unapologetically Christian college. With much of my career at public
colleges, you might wonder what in the world has led me to my current perspective. This short article
will lay out the six reasons I have become so “narrow minded.”
Reason 1:
There is a real difference in the mission of building godly character between Christian colleges and other institutions.
In the broadest sense, the college years are a time of prepara-
tion for life, ministry, and career – in that order. Preparation
for life and ministry are uniquely the realm of the Christian
college. They, unlike other options, are uniquely equipped to
model and promote biblical godly character. A non-Chris-
tian college typically avoids character issues unless dealing
with unlawful acts and runs from the word “ministry.” Sure,
there are campus clubs and ministries on non-Christian
college campuses that really counter the college culture
and provide opportunities for students to grow and serve.
However, the data shows that most Christian kids on non-
Christian campuses do not participate in these venues.
This issue of character is more important than what
career I choose, which courses I take or even which college I
attend. Character IS the primary issue that MUST be solidi-
fied during the college years. Where character and Christian
values are especially threatened is in the typical non-Chris-
tian college classroom. Let’s pull back the curtain a bit from
the protected academic mystic. Why are the values and life
choices of faculty so important? First, no matter how much
they would choose to ignore the fact, a person’s perspective
will pervade their speech, thought processes, and lifestyle. It
will be evident in the classroom and faculty office. Second,
the long term implications are clear – students most likely
will reflect the values and perspective of their faculty mentor.
Who are these faculty members? An article from a few years
ago gave some startling stats: eighty-four percent of college
faculty members are in favor of abortion rights and well over
two-thirds believe homosexuality is an acceptable lifestyle.
Consider just one of the main contemporary philoso-
phers whose views are the foundational basis for many other
writers and theorists in American public education - Rich-
ard Rorty. Two quotes: “… We try to arrange things so that
students who enter as bigoted, homophobic, religious funda-
mentalists will leave college with views more like our own …”
and “…. So we are going to go right on trying to discredit you
in the eyes of your children, trying to strip your fundamental-
ist religious community of dignity, trying to make your views
seem silly rather than discussable.” Suffice it to say that the
college years should be a time where faith should be tested
and refined NOT torched and denied!
The college years should be a time
where faith should be tested and
refined NOT torched and denied.
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