Going to a Christian University
I attend a university that's affiliated with Christianity, more specifically the Church of Christ. There are a great many good things about going to a Christian School. I've learned a lot more about understanding what scripture is saying and understanding the context in which it was written. I've learned things to strengthen and defend my faith.
On the other hand there's a general sense of being disconnected from reality. The term "bubble" has been jokingly used to refer to the isolation students seem to have from the community around them.
Back home I only have a few Christian friends and a lot of non-christian friends. I've known most of them since 5th or 6th grade. Can you imagine being told by your best friend in elementary school that he thought that the religion you practiced was a bunch of bologna? I had to deal with that
It put a lot of emotional stress on me at a couple of points in time, because I couldn't come to terms with people that I loved going to hell (which also led to a huge existential crisis concerning my beliefs on Soteriology, but that's for another post). At the same time it was somewhat of a blessing. I was able to open up to a couple of them and talk about religious subjects. I never changed anybody's mind, but I was able to give them more understanding of what it was exactly that I believed and they gave me tough questions that I was able to wrestle with.
Part of the problem of going to a Christian University is that it reduces the impact that you can make as a believer in Christ. There's not as many different points of view, so theological discussions can become quickly tiresome. There can be a temptation to fall into pretentious religious piety (something I am guilty of myself).
On the other hand, there are still people here who need love just as much as anyone else. There are people who struggle with addictions. There are people who don't believe in God. There are people who sit outside the social circle and in need of a friend.
The oppurtunities are still there, it's just a little harder to see them.
February 24th, 2009 - 02:00
Yeah, it is easy in an environment like that to slump into a pretentious attitude of “being Christian” like it’s any other trend. However it’s also really easy in a secular college where almost nobody is christian to start to doubt your convictions at times. It is true though that there are lots of opportunities to impact others. I guess both have their advantages.
February 24th, 2009 - 03:45
For me being at a Christian college was excellent ground to prepare me for all those years you were going to be in the world when you are working. There is plenty of time to be out in the world, side by side with non christians. But just having the time to sit and learn from some great Bible teachers goes by really fast. Hope you keep seeing the opportunities that God is giving you to prepare you for the good works He has already planned for you to do.
February 24th, 2009 - 18:01
I loved my first year of bible classes. This year not so much. Maybe when I can start choosing the bible classes I can take I’ll enjoy it more.
I admit that there’s two sides to the issue. That’s kind of what I was trying to achieve with this post. There’s a positive aspect and negative aspect to everything.