just a dicussion: existence of christian colleges, good or bad?

College Search & Selection
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<p>Just coming back from a small group on friday night, I was just thinking about christian colleges. One of my good friends lately was accepted to Biola, and I was wondering if it would be a good thing for her to go there. </p>

<p>In our world today, Christian is such a big word, and also a label that is looked down upon. I see it all the time, especially on a place as liberal as the internet. The biggest thing that comes to my mind is how easily we can be called hypocrites. I mean, if you go to a Christian college, is there really zero underage drinking,, zero premarital sex, zero cussing? I highly doubt it. It just seems to me that the college would be "Christian" in name only, even if you are being taught by biblical professors or from biblical points of view. Of course, theres going to be sin, I mean its human nature. Which is why I don't think "college" and "christian" should really go together.</p>

<p>My second point is: My opinion is that finding true faith in the face of adversity is better than being surrounded by "bible bible bible 24 hours a day". For example, its easy to be a Christian when everyone else is a Christian around you. Their beliefs align with your beliefs. Your classes don't contradict your beliefs. Etc. But then, what really is your faith? Do you truly love God/Jesus and believe whole-heartedly? In a non-brainwashed-esque sense? </p>

<p>I would argue that finding faith, finding a strong fellowship in a non christian college, staying the course in the face of parties and other activities. Even the occasional stumble. Even if you had premarital sex, or drank alcohol, or whatever. Maybe sometimes one would doubt his faith, or have stumbling blocks, but isn't this all supposed to be part of the journey?</p>

<p>When I went to college party earlier this year, It just made me realize how "insulated" I was from the real world. But even though the party may be categorized as "sinful", I think the experience helped me grow stronger. </p>

<p>Maybe my view is overly liberal, since I live in the Bay Area, but yeah.
This is written at 12 PM so maybe I'm not completely thinking things through, but I thought I would spark some discussion on this topic.</p>

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<p>For some, the Christian College is a refuge while they develope their adult frame of mind. Keeping in mind that most attending Christian Colleges are still babies in their faith and have always taken their parent's point of view. Now that they are "out in the real world" they have to learn how to cope on their own...how to formulate thier own opinions and figure out how to use their beliefs during their every day lives.</p>

<p>For some Christian students, doing this at a secular college could result in their drifting away from their belief system. For others, a secular college would allow them a better look at the real world.</p>

<p>Also, some aspects of a Christian college better prepare Christians for the real world, especially if one wanted a religiously support career.</p>

<p>For example, I want to eventually teach at the institution I work at, but I don't want to just teach anything...I want to teach Ethics and religion courses (we are a private institution with a Christian heritage). The only place that would provide me the necessary educational skills to achieve my goal is a Christian institution...not many secular institutions offer Biblical courses.</p>

<p>As I am currently in a Business degree program at my institution, I am sick of hearing my instructors use profanity in the classroom....thing I didn't have to deal with when I attended Liberty for my Associates Degree. Once, when an instructor used several curse words during his lecture, I got a shocked look on my face...he noticed and could understand why I would be offended. Do people in the real world curse? Absolutely...but I do not want to sit through a lecture on Operations Management and hear my professor cursing like a sailor. Now that I am almost done with my Bachelor's degree and thinking about a Masters degree, I am exploring returning to Liberty or another Christian institution where the classroom experience would be more pleasing.</p>

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<p>I would imagine that attending a non-Christian school gives others a chance to better understand (and even become a part of!) Christianity. If my religion gets a "bad" label from others, well, perhaps I can help change that. :-)</p>

<p>Then again, don't think your beliefs aren't going to be challenged within a Christian school. There's enough differences within the body of Christianity as it is. (Preterism, anyone?)</p>

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<p>That is very true, I495. The label Christian is extremely broad and encompasses so many different belief systems....most minor in the grand scope, but they can still be volitile between denominations. Some of my Christian beliefs differed from the professors at Liberty, and I was raised in both a Pentecostal and Baptist church.</p>

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<p>A friend of mine went to Abilene Christian University and she loved it. She said the reason she liked it so much was because of this. There was partying and stuff but there was also people to talk to. It discouraged it rather than saying "Well, kids these days do that anyways. Why say no?". She liked it because her professors were Christian and she had more people (and more educated people!) that she could talk to about her faith.</p>

<p>For some Christians though, they would be more successful at a secular college because of where there faith is. I think Christian colleges are good because they fit the needs of some people just like secular colleges do. Plus, Christian colleges are great for anyone who wants to be in ministry (obviously).</p>

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<p>I'm going to a specific Christian college next year for several reasons:</p>

<p>a) I want to study philosophy, and every professor in the excellent philosophy department there has been educated at prestigious secular universities. This makes me sure they have experience handling doubt and faith issues related to the practice of philosophy, and I find that valuable because philosophy is really foundational to thinking - about everything, including my faith. I plan on spending a lot of time in the department and at office hours, and the professors at the college are really accessible (as I've seen and heard). Most Christian colleges have very accessible professors (unless they're big).
b) I can take theology courses.
c) I really need to be spiritually nurtured. I need to grow in my ability to handle following Christ while still concentrating intensely on academics. I've been flying off the wheel, and I need to take some baby steps. 4 years in secular high school has been enough, in my opinion, to see what the secular world is like (not the full extent of what happens, but what the idea is and how to approach it. I've done everything there is to do in high school)
d) Essentially, I don't feel strong enough to share my faith yet. I need help to begin living by example.</p>

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<p>Christian colleges emphasize the cultural ramifications of Christianity, not necessarily the spiritual development or even basic education of theological beliefs. My sister goes to Calvin college, and she could not debate her way out of a paper bag when it comes to religion, but she likes that there are many like minded people with her at school (IE, dont drink at all/often, "moral", "good Christians" (which itself is a farce, but whatever)).</p>

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<p>Tboone,</p>

<p>Not everyone is good at debating, regardless of the topic. Maybe your sister is one of those types of people, or maybe her faith isn't strong enough, or maybe she isn't a real believer, or maybe she hasn't been paying attention in her religion classes. Some Christians are really good debaters and can run a non-believer into a stumper during a debate. Just because your sister attends a Christian college, it doesn't mean that she will be able to debate religious issues. Each Christian has their own "specialty" and some people just are not wired to debate. (Please realize, I am not trying to lessen anything your sister is or believes in...just posing possibilities based on the very minimal information you provided in your posting.)</p>

<p>You are correct, though, that there is no such thing as a "good Christian". We are all flawed, even those who have been a Christian for a long time. Becoming a Christian doesn't make us perfect...each day is a struggle to hold true to our faith and moral behavior, and Christians do stumble...often sometimes.</p>

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<p>I am not going to go to deep here. </p>

<p>I didn't even read the whole thing.</p>

<p>I think the existence of Christian colleges are a good thing. There are certain people that don't really fit into the 'norm' and would rather attend a college that caters more to their taste, as many colleges do, so if you are spiritual or religious, then there should be a college for that too...right?</p>

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<p>NikkiL, my sister things that religion is some kind of social club. You think that religion is some set of predetermined rules that must follow if one wants to achieve spiritual success. I think that there are a great many number of "baby" Christians that would enjoy Christian colleges, but i do not think they are beneficial for spiritual development. They benefit the mind, and the emotions, and for some the need for social acceptance, but they do not benefit the spirit. I have looked at her curriculum, and it is all this feel good BS about how if she does A and B and C then god will give her a good job and a fancy car, and that feeling of future success tries to fill this empty spiritual void within her in vain. NikkiL, before you try to "tear" my post apart with your mildly retarded logic, offense to criticism, and biblical misinterpretation, please answer me these questions:</p>

<p>What is ones spirit, how do you define it, how is it significant?</p>

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<p>Religiously, one's sprit is actually the Holy Spirit, part of the Godhead (Trinity) and is a vital part of one's Christian walk. The Holy Spirit makes it clear to each person what purpose God has in store for them. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins, and glorifies Jesus Christ. Absence of the Holy Spirit is the equivalent of not being a Christian.</p>

<p>Maybe the reason your sister isn't good at debating Christian beliefs is because she only views it as a social club...something Christianity truly is not. Now, I have no experience with her institution, but if the textbooks are truly advocating "this feel good BS about how if she does A and B and C then god will give her a good job and a fancy car, and that feeling of future success tries to fill this empty spiritual void within her in vain" then I would call into question their Christianity. God makes no earthly promises of wealth or earthly success. Believing in Christ with one's whole heart or certain Biblical prescribed behaviors (such as loving one's neighbor more than oneself) only serves to gain one Heavenly treasures, crowns that we will then place at the feet of Jesus. (We will do this because any good act we demonstrate won't be as a result of our own doing but as a result of His work in and through us, so the crowns really belong to Him.)</p>

<p>Christian colleges, when they are rooted in the Bible (and not mans fallible interpretations) does benefit our Spirit...the more we learn about the Bible, the easier job the Spirit will have in us, because we will better understand His promptings.</p>

<p>Christianity isn't a feel good religion...just ask any devout Christian whether their walk has been a bed of roses. We are plagued by stress, anger, anxiety, poverty, discrimination, abuse, etc, just as nonbelievers are. Even Jesus wanred us that our walk with Him would be difficult...but He did promise us that when we were walking "through the valley of the shadow of death" that He would be with us...even carrying us through our heartaches, if necessary.</p>

<p>In regards to your retort on my retarded logic: have at it...As a Christian, I am used to verbal and written abuse....and it only serves to strengthen my resolve and my faith :)</p>

<p>In regards to your accusation of my offense to your criticism: Criticize all you want...I don't take offense, because I knew what I was in for when I became a Christian. Others have criticized and belittled me and it doesn't bother me at all...Christ did tell me that man would hate me more than they hated Him...and look what they did to Him!</p>

<p>Regarding the "Biblical misinterpretation": I strongly recommend that you do your own investigating before throwing out such allegations, as you have repeatedly misinterpreted, misquoted and misunderstood Biblical passages in many of your postings. ARe all of my interpretations or understandings of the Bible 100% accurate? I sincerely doubt it. I am constantly learning more and more, each time I read and study my Bible. The only thing I am certain of is that my name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life and will eventually (when I reach Heaven) will have all the answers to every question I have ever posed...I know where I am headed when I die and I now my calling: to share my faith with anyone and everyone who is willing to listen (or read). is it retarded logic? Only if I am wrong....but....if I am wrong, then everyone evaporates into nothing and it won't matter anyways. I'd rather take my chances by believeing in Him.</p>

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<p>^actually, I agree pretty much with what you said. I am trying to (unsuccessfully) bait WP into arguing with me, but whatever, you seem more reasonable than he/she is.</p>

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<p>Probably because I don't believe in arguing but debating, with an open mind.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
The biggest thing that comes to my mind is how easily we can be called hypocrites. I mean, if you go to a Christian college, is there really zero underage drinking,, zero premarital sex, zero cussing? I highly doubt it. It just seems to me that the college would be "Christian" in name only, even if you are being taught by biblical professors or from biblical points of view.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I would hope that your Christianity would be defined by positive things that you DO, rather than by what you don't do. You know: feed the hungry, heal the sick, spread goodwill amongst humanity, and the like.</p>