Of Colleges and Related Topics
I shall assume that you all have, like me, been recieving pamphlets and letters and shiny brochures and things from various colleges. I've found that I for one tend to automatically discount a school if it's not Christian, which isn't necessarily a good plan of action.
What are your various opinions concerning going to a distinctly Christian college vs. a secular school?
What are your various opinions concerning going to a distinctly Christian college vs. a secular school?
posted by erin at
10:09 PM
13 Comments:
I'm definately open to going either way, although I feel that if you are going to go the non-christian route, its essential to be sure that you have some sort of outlet for support on or off campus, otherwise it could be very overwhelming. One thing I have found guiding which pamphlets I keep and which ones I toss is how well the brochure draws me in. A typed letter with a fake signature doesn't entice me like a colorful package telling me about the school.
I see plusses both ways. With Christian colleges, you have a Christian envirnoment (teachers and friends), you have balanced viewpoints presented (both religious and secular points displayed instead of just secular points at secular schools, if that makes sense), it is easier to still live your faith without getting caught up in the rest of your life, and the list goes on. With secular schools however, I feel that you have a more well-rounded education (not neccesarily more balanced), as teachers are more likely to be knowlegable about their subjects (statistical issue, i'm too lazy to explain), social life consist of more people/activities, and likely better job opportunities afterward (think about it, what sounds better to an employer-George Fox or Harvard). Currently, I am willing to go in either direction. Currently I am thinking of U of Missouri-Rolla (secular) and LeTourneau U (Christian).
First of all I haven't been getting any pamphlets because I didn't fill in that little bubble on the PSAT. Anyway I would say that we should realize that a christian college can be just as "pagan" as a secular one, if you don't get involved with the christian aspects of that particular christian college. Meaning that if you don't go looking to grow spiritually you won't, Christian and Secular schools alike. Anyway thats my two cents.
yeah, no fillin in of the bubble on my part. the brochures that i do get (from gfu, because i filled the form out so i could get a nalgene- which i didn't...thanks to max!) hit the round file before i give a glance.
God calls each of us to a different place. there are pros and cons to both types of colleges, as i'm sure you all have thought about, so i wont preach to the chior. the important factor is to surrender your will to the Lord's, which only comes through constant prayer and reading of the Word. We must seek to glorify and fear God, not man. "be in the world yet not of it." i must confess, i have wrongly judged those who do attend secular colleges, not recognizing what a great mission field where one can be salt and light to those who are seeking and searching to establish their own beliefs! i exhort you, however, to be firmly founded in a fellowship of believers, that you may be encouraged and spiritually fed.
(my apollogies to Rosdower, Little neddy, and Troy for the length of this comment)
Ya that was pushin it java
Hmmm thanks Lynz- honestly alot depends on whether you view college as a sort of training ground, preparing us for release out into the world, or as the actual releasing itself. I tend to lean towards the latter view- college is training us to better be that salt and light- in which case I think a Christian college makes more sense. Of course the spiritual community even at many Christian colleges can be as weak as that at secular ones, so I guess really it depends on the school.
In other words, I agree with everybody. Kind of.
If you guys are talking about community, which to me is just important as the academic side of college, you shoulden't trash the george fox stuff, and I'm not saying that just because I'm around there alot. It is a place when your spiritual growth and support is the focus, which is one thing that really attracts me. On the other hand though, I think another key aspect is getting out of your comfort zone, and thats why Im trying to look for other places like fox. I think you guys probably have a similar feeling about going to coollege in the place you've grown up, but that option is always there.
Ha ha. "Coollege". Great one.
So, what exactly is involved in 'getting out of your comfort zone'? Just wondering.
Factoid:
one of the age groups Muslims focus on is college kids. Why? because they are "starting their own life"- establishing who they are, what they believe, and how they want to live. yes, the prior years at home are their foundation, but when they leave the home and are away from their familiar comforts, the question is- will that foundation stand, or will it fall into pieces? we can be a witness to anyone anywhere. though if your foundation is solid, your light will be more evident in the darkness. I agree with erinmarie, alot of it depends on whether you see college as a training ground or a mission field (or both). My standing: i lean toward the Christian college- for myself, but i do not want to turn my back on those who lean the other way.
you guys have really good opinions on college, but I really agree with Aaron that you shouldn't take a "Christian" college at face value. A lot of colleges tend to label themselves as christian and really don't adhere to christian standards. I've found this even in my own experience of searching for college. Another important aspect in choosing a secular vs. Christian college is how confident you are in your faith.(you referring to the generality of you's not anyone in particular) If you find yourself easily swayed towards the norm, or to what everyone else is doing maybe a secular college is not for you. But if you are extremely confident in your faith and think that God could really use you in a worldly enviroment maybe a secular college is exactly what you need. But no matter what college you choose, you should always surround yourself with other christians who can build you up and encourage you in your relationship with Christ. All of life is a training ground and all of life is a releasing into the world and by the grace of God we are led according to His will.
Ya I think college itself will be hard enough. So I'd rather go to a christian school where the walk of faith could be aided by christian companions. But if I can't find a christian school that has the majors I want then i'm gonna have to do some serious spiritual body building. (Of course I should regardless)
i've always been educated in a christian environment, but this last winter one of my friends asked me if i would ever consider going to a public highschool. i was a little shocked, becuase i've always disregared being in a public school atmosphere. she asked this in response to my frustration over not having enough oppurtunities to witness to my friends considering the majority of my social activities are with christians. i was so annoyed that i was having difficulty explaining what i believe, since i've always believed it and never try to defend my beliefs to someone who doesn't believe in the Bible. because my friend goes to a public school, she is always encountering oppurtunities to witness, through that her faith has been made real and strengthed. it's like the anallogy of trying to cook the frog... i guess- somehow that relates... God's will is for me to be at Veritas, but where i will go for college, only God knows- and i thank Him for that.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home