What's The Big Deal About Christian College?

Yesterday, I had the privilege to sit down with one of our teenagers and talk about Bible College. I believe I was able to give her some Bible principles to guide her decision on finding God's will for her life. Over the next few days, I would like to talk about those principles. I believe they will be a help to anyone sincerely looking to find God's will for their life.

Please reserve final judgment until after all the principles have been read. This is just one of them. I would love to hear your thoughts, comments, and/or arguments. I would be glad to try to respond with God's world.

1. Bible college provides a college education with a Biblical foundation for life.
I understand that there are some teachers who work in a secular university that are Christians, but for the most secular college professors are not born again believers. Many times you will find these people to be atheistic and promoting a lifestyle that goes directly against God's word. It doesn't matter how strong you are, these people will have an affect on your faith. Just as a godly teacher/mentor/influence would be a spiritual blessing, ungodly teachers/mentors/influences will be a detriment to your faith. Don't believe me? Listen to what the Bible says.

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

This verse teaches us that we can be spiritually spoiled through

Philosophy which refers to a love of wisdom. It is an exaltation of academic logic and reasoning
above faith. It looks to explain away God logically rather than believe that He is and that he is
the rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Vain deceit carries the idea of empty deception. This is another attempt by the world to
explain away God and give them an excuse to live as if they are their own God. These are
taught in many forms such as evolution, humanism, atheism, feminism, and many other "isms"
that pop up from time to time.

Rudiments of the world are the basic foundational truths that unsaved people operate by. Today we live in a society where people are pressured to believe that absolute truth is unknowable. You can't know anything for certain. Secular universities promote acceptance of homosexuality, immorality, drunkeness, atheism, and many other ungodly practices and beliefs. No where is God emphasized or given a proper place of exaltation.

These philosophies, vain deceits, and rudiments are after traditions of men and not after God's word. I would also say that they are against God's word. The core values these universities are promoting are not after Christ; they are anti-Christ. This is why these places are so dangerous for young people at such a crucial time in their lives. Even in choosing a "Christian" college, you must carefully consider their beliefs and teachings. It is sad to say, but many institutions that have the name "Christian" have departed from teaching sound Biblical doctrine.

As a youth pastor, it is not my goal to see every teenager go to Bible college. My greatest desire is to see teens graduate from our youth group knowing God's will for their life, having a strong personal relationship with God, and being able to find answers for life's question in God's word. You may neeed to read this paragraph again so you don't misquote me.

For further evidence consider Psalm 1 as a Bible reason why Christian young people put themselves in danger by choosing to attend a secular university/college.


Psalm 1:1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (this sounds like what you would be doing if you attended a secular college) 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (this sounds like something you would be doing at a Bible college)3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (this is the blessing and promise God makes for seeking him and staying close to him) 4The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. (this is the end result of education without an emphasis on God)5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. (more promise if we follow God)