Simply stated, a Christian worldview is the lens through which people see and interpret the universe, humans, nature, and events. This view is characterized by three primary confessions or predispositions that are indisputable and firmly seared in the minds of those who profess to be and in fact are Christians. God exists and seeks to have a personal relationship with humans is the most fundamental of these beliefs. God is not a projection or a watchmaker or a force. God is real and relational and has knowledge of us and interacts with us and hears us when we pray. God is creator is the second major proposition. All that exists came into being as a result of the creative act of God. If one accepts the theory of evolution, then evolution is part of the creative processes of God. If one accepts the theory of the Big Bang, it was God who caused the Big Bang.

Thirdly, God has acted particularly and most profoundly in history by sending God’s son, Jesus Christ into the world to reconcile us to each other and to God. Christians make no apologies for any of these major, bedrock beliefs and see no reason to debate, prove, or minimize them. Each of these confessions must be represented in a curriculum for it to qualify as Christian. God must be seen as active in history and in the lives of humans.

And though it may not be clear to us, God is moving all of creation to a predetermined end known only to God. Thus, there is a purposefulness to our lives and to events in history. This is not to say that everything which happens is God’s will for humans can and oftentimes do act contrary to God’s will. These principles or worldview must be clear and unequivocal for a curriculum to be considered Christian.

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While absolute values are on the decline in public education, you have the opportunity to teach right from home in your homeschool.If you are a Christian and considering Christian homeschooling, you may want to think about a few things. First of all, if the intolerance of your religious preference in public school is troubling you, this might be a good decision. You have the freedom in your home to teach about God and the Bible along with your daily instruction. You don’t have to worry about saying “God” and being criticized.

On the other hand, this may not be a great enough reason to homeschool your children. When a child’s beliefs are practiced in a school setting, they can learn how to interact with others who are non-Christians. They can also be a good example to others and show them what Christians are really like.

There are also Christian private schools that use Christian teachings and doctrines in their curriculum. However, these types of schools are usually expensive. This makes the choice of Christian homeschooling a rational decision.

Other motives for homeschooling your children may be because of unsafe schools, or not wanting your children to change school after school if your family is in the military. If you find that your reasoning for homeschooling fits into a couple of categories, it is definitely an option you might want to consider.

If want to homeschool your children, Christian homeschooling is a great option, especially if you want to instill values into their education. There are many support groups that can help you decide on curriculum. Some support groups can help you determine how to help your children socialize, while others support you emotionally.

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Christian colleges and universities offer traditional academic programs, some with almost all degree levels (associate, bachelor, master’s and doctoral). They also offer something more – many of them also have courses and degree programs that are faith driven or ministry focused. While some Christian universities put more emphasis on this than others, due to their faith-based foundation, they encourage students to earn their degree based on the basic moral principles found in Christianity.

For those who are not Christian, Christian colleges and universities should not deter them simply based on faith. Most students find that while the faith and on-campus activities like ministry or even church services are not requirements. Students find that they can attend a Christian college or university as they would a state college without the need to feel any pressure to convert or participate in Christian activities. In fact, many Christian colleges and universities encourage students of other faiths and backgrounds to enroll in their classes, even if they are basic liberal arts or business degree programs.

Christian students will also find that there are plenty of activities for them to participate in, including ministry groups that travel around the country and the world, evangelical groups, and involvement in the college church through the choir or other musical group. Students who wish to actively participate in the school’s faith-based activities will also find they will be able to take their degree further, entering the working world with more to offer based on the basic values of the Christian faith.

Christian colleges and universities offer the most for both students of the Christian faith and those who aren’t practicing Christians. These schools offer an education with substance, hoping students will walk away with more than just a degree upon graduation.

C.J. Harrison is an educational writer and editor for a number of top educational directories, including the Christian Colleges and Universities directory where students can compare accredited Christian universities offering online degrees.

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Graduating from high school is the moment of life. You need to decide on the path that you will take the place of after your high school life. There are some who prefer to get a job right away instead of pursuing their respective college dreams while others will join the military as their service to the American people. However, the most essential thing you need to remember is to do follow the path where God is leading you.

College is a choice that requires some careful planning and is something that should be thought about as early as in high school. The earlier you prepare and narrow down your choices, the greater the chance you’ll find a good College. There are several steps that you can take before choose a Christian college. These are as follows:

1) Some Christian colleges have course programs that are very similar to secular colleges, while others have concentrated options in Bible studies. Many can give you flexibility or a range of options between both. While it definitely common to not know what you want to do as far as your career when you’re in your teens, knowing what you want to study will narrow down your list of choices.

2) Of course, the tuition cost of a Christian college is probably going to be a factor. What would be good to look into is that many of the colleges offer grants and scholarships to offset the costs of tuition. There may be a college that will give your teen a full scholarship or grant, depending on his grades and need

3) Have you done some background research on the Christian College to make sure it’s got a good track record? A simple Google search will help in this process.

4) There’s no circumstance going to a Christian college that specializes in worship leading if you feel called to community work.

5) Do you have peace about the Christian College you are looking at attending? Phil 4:6-7 talks about a peace that comes upon you that goes past your understanding. The peace that you feel on the inside. If you can learn to live according to this God given inner peace, then you will know that it’s a God thing!

Attending a Christian college will not lead to a religious appointment as a priest or a soldier of God, getting yourself enrolled in college where the administrators, staff, faculty, and students are devoted Christians is indeed an excellent choice. Christian collages care not only for your education, but also to your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. In addition, Researches made indicate that students who attend Christian colleges are most likely to affirm their Christian faith and strong belief in God.

Bible College Guide has the most complete listing of USA and Canada Christian Colleges and training facilities in the world.
http://www.biblecollegeguide.com/

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How can mathematics possibly be Christian or unchristian, redeemed or unredeemed? This is a great place to start the discussion of Christian mathematics. In more formal terms, the question could be phrased, “Is mathematics neutral?” Most people have assumed mathematics is neutral for so long that the question is usually phrased as a wavering statement such as “Mathematics is neutral, right?”

Neutrality implies that the knowledge and structure of mathematics is not influenced by religious belief, or that it should not be. Another way to state neutrality is to say that mathematics would be the same whether God existed or not. The claim that mathematics would be the same with or without the existence of God is an antichristian statement, because the Scriptures declare that God created and holds all things, which includes mathematics, together. …God, who created all things by Jesus Christ Ephesians 3:9 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Colossians 1:17

Neutrality also denies that God can reveal truth about mathematics, where the Scriptures never represent the world as operating by laws independent of the Creator. Also, since there is one Creator, we look for and can expect to find unity and harmony between spiritual life, creation, history, philosophy, and mathematical knowledge. The Scriptures even inform us about what kind of mathematics is legitimate, the kind with the source of truth as revelation, verses any secularized version of revelation.

Since mathematics in general and Christian mathematics in particular is still under development, it is important for Christians to include mathematics in their view of the Christian dominion mandate. Just as reading, writing, and arithmetic permeate and influence a person’s life and every field of endeavor, so the impact of distinctly Christian mathematical thought has the potential to transform the student into the image of Christ for a greater influence in the Christian family, church, and society. Since most Christians desire a Biblical worldview in every other area of life, why not include mathematics?

A student fully trained in Christian mathematics has their inward thoughts and attitudes consistent with God’s Word. The student will boldly express his or her faith in their work, words, and writings; even the elusive areas where mathematics comes to bear, as in engineering and science. In other words, the student won’t be a secret believer when doing mathematics (Matthew 12:34b-37). Some say that the student who ignores God as he does mathematical tasks is not neutral, but even rebellious and ungrateful toward the Giver of all his knowledge (Proverbs 3:6;Hosea 4:6). It doesn’t take long in the Scriptures to see that God doesn’t promote neutrality in any subject (Revelations 3:15-16; Matthew 12:30; 1 Kings 18:21; Joshua 24:15).

The Christian math student is encouraged to discover and use God’s logic, attributes, power, nature, and glory (Romans 1:20 ; Psalm 111:10), while keeping logic and science subservient to revelation (Romans 5:18-19; Romans 7:17-21; Romans 8:20). Mathematics demonstrates the truth that every idea has an opposite (e.g., addition /subtraction, right/wrong) which has parallel ideas in theology (e.g., narrow way /broad way, righteousness /wickedness), which can declare the glory and attributes of God (Romans 1:20 ). Absolute truth and many other important philosophical concepts are further seen when one recognizes that mathematics reveals God’s nature through His creation. Disconnected secular math is often the cause for the dislike and even fear of math.

Christian mathematics seeks to keep mathematics connected to creation and daily reality while encouraging the student in their knowledge of God, experience in being led by His spirit (Romans 8:14 ), and discerning the times through illustrations of philosophy and truth in mathematics. This also inspires the student and properly motivates mathematical study, improve diligence, and leads to the lifelong acknowledgement of God in the details.

By the deliberate omission of creation and philosophical contexts, most mathematics teaching today denies the reality of the Creator God, where the wonder of creation and cultural implications reveal the fact that real life mathematics is not boring but exciting. One of the Christian math programs available implements the Biblical view of mathematics through special readings, real life projects, discussions, sharing of specific daily uses of mathematics, and helping students see the corresponding theological, personal, and cultural implications of Christian thinking.

Dr. James Bartlett, PhD, PE ret., is President of Bartlett University which hosts the Family University Network with its Christian business incubator. Dr. Bartlett and his wife Lynn homeschool four boys in the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota. Dr. Bartlett can be contacted by calling 701-263-4574 or visiting http://bartlettuniversity.com.

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It could be your desire to further your education by earning a higher degree in Christian counseling. As a busy professional working long days it may be hard to find the time. You may be a pastor of a large or small congregation or a lay counselor and have a need for a degree in Christian counseling. You may be able to have an opportunity to do just that by working on your Christian counseling degree online.

Christian Premarital Counseling

Counseling degrees can be quite specific. One degree can be for counseling Christian couples wanting to get married. Christian premarital counseling is one of the most important and rewarding aspects of this specialized counseling. To see a couple through this process and witness the results of this counseling in a strong and solid marriage is quite exciting. Couples learn through Christian premarital counseling how important it is to keep God as the center in their marriage.

Our Troubled Society

In the troubled world we live in today there are many Christians suffering with financial debt, depression, drug addictions, sex addictions, or possibly have a problem child at home. There are more and more single or married adults requiring professional counseling. As a Christian, it is desirable to seek guidance, direction and advice through solid Biblical counseling.

Biblical Examples

In the Bible there are many examples of men, women, sons, daughters, kings, princes, and even the disciples falling into times of great trouble. There is the story of King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel chapter four verses 31 & 33 describe his fall into mental duress due to the guilt of not walking according to God’s commands. He had become self absorbed and egotistical.

4:31 “While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice

fell from heaven: ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is

spoken: the kingdom has departed from you!

4:33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning

Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass

like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till

his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds claws.”

He lived like this until he was directed back to the Lord.

4:34 “And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar,

lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding

returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised

and honored Him who lives forever:”

It is the job of a qualified Christian counselor with the proper training to redirect a person’s focus off of themselves and back onto the Lord and what the Lord requires of them. As it says in verse 34 “his understanding returned to him.” When a person is in deep depression or trapped in an addiction their “understanding” has left them. Even a son or daughter walking down the wrong path needs their “understanding” returned to them through Christian counseling.

Many people will not seek help from a counselor unless they have the proper credentials. Some may even be required to get counseling and direction from a professional with a degree in Christian counseling due to a rehabilitation recommendation from the courts. Earning a Christian counseling degree online can equip you with the skills certification required to help these lost souls gain back their “understanding” and live a full Christian life serving God and others.

To find the latest information on Christian Counseling visit Christian Counseling Degree Online as well as Christian Premarital Counseling

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Are you a Christian and wondering if home schooling is right for you? Well consider this. If being in a world where displaying your religious preference in public schools is becoming less tolerated is something that bothers you, Christian home schooling is a good alternative. It presents an opportunity for you to incorporate learning about the Bible and God within your daily lessons.

However, this may not be enough of a reason to home school your children. A disadvantage is that it may shelter them from interacting socially with children their own age. Being around non-Christians is also a great way to teach a child tolerance. Also, there are Christian schools that incorporate Christian teachings within their curriculum. However, tuition to a private school is not always affordable. This makes Christian home schooling a logical option.

There are other reasons to home school. Some public schools may be located in areas that are unsafe. If you are a Christian missionary, it doesn’t always make sense to split up your family, especially if you need to move to a foreign country. You may also be in the military and need to move once or twice a year. Changing schools constantly can be traumatic to a child.

If you decide to home school your children, there are a lot of Christian home schooling support groups that can help you choose a good curriculum and offer other forms of support. Some encourage socializing, while others support you emotionally. You can find Christian home schooling support groups online, or you can ask some local churches.

Home Schooling provides detailed information on Home Schooling, Home Schooling Curriculums, Christian Home Schooling, Home Schooling Online and more. Home Schooling is affiliated with Online Distance Education.

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Afterwards, it became clear to me that his understanding of hypnosis and mine were quite different. And any good debate must begin with a clarification of terms. Too many reasonable discussions deteriorate into pointless argument because no one fully defines himself.

What do we mean then by trance and hypnosis? More specifically, what do Christians who fear hypnosis mean by it and what do ethical clinicians mean by it? For our purposes today, we will leave the madmen out of it.

The Christian Definitions or Concerns:

1. “Mesmerism”

It is very important to address this because what Christians fear about hypnosis is something rather fearful: deliberation manipulation, external mind control, or spell-casting that leaves a person open to spiritual corruption. They form their impressions of the technique from what they have read in popular media (including the early reports on “Mesmerism,” which was presented as a demonic seduction of young women by irresistible and wretched old men), watched on TV, or seen in lounge acts where hypnosis is reduced to having some poor sot play air guitar or bite happily into an onion.

It is not hard to see what makes them uneasy. And, what is worse is that there are people in the world who use hypnotic trance unethically. They may not be madmen, but they should not be calling themselves healers or professionals by any means.

In fact, the worst of these “trance inducers” have nothing to do with lounge acts or private practices. There are at least two times a day when most people are in the deepest, most vulnerable and suggestible trances they are ever in: When they are driving in their cars and when they are at home watching television. And the messages they receive in those states-usually corporate advertising-are what they are unconsciously absorbing.

2. Spiritual Bankruptcy

In Christianity’s beginnings, as in early Judaism, sickness (or insanity) was seen as a function of sin or possession. And the ONLY thing that could cure sin was God and our faith in Him. Anything that interfered with that relationship and dependence on God was prohibited. In those days, that interference usually took the shape of idolatry and pagan religions.

When seen as “mesmerism” or as a loss of control to an unknown entity (e.g., the intentions or spirituality of the hypnotherapist), hypnosis leaves the individual vulnerable to literally who-knows-what-malevolent suggestion, criminal manipulation, and demons.

As Father Russell Radoicich, an Orthodox priest from Butte, Montana, wrote, “Christianity has always called people to live in full awareness, in reality, with nothing having mastery over us except God.” When hypnosis is defined as making one person subject to another (spiritually or mentally), is it any wonder that it is seen as questionable if not downright dangerous?

Hypnosis seen this way-as a quick fix with little depth-can also be considered a crutch or a deterrent to spiritual growth, which is why Father Russell reminds us that “the spiritual work must be done or there is no true rehabilitation. People may lose weight or stop smoking, but the deeper matter has not been addressed.”

Hypnosis, when used as a proper tool in a healing manner, can actually help to facilitate what Fr. Russell is referring to as “the spiritual work” or “the deeper matter.” Again, it is in the hands of the practitioner and the patient as to where the work goes. And in this regard the choice of clinician is important.

3. The Loosening of Moral Inhibition

One of Christianity’s great fears about hypnosis is that it induces a moral laxity and makes the prohibited permissible in the patient’s mind. And, again, when hypnosis is seen this way its prohibition is understandable.

The truth, however, is that clinical hypnosis cannot make anyone do anything that would undermine their moral or ethical resolve.

In an article interview on Hypnosisnetwork, Paul Durbin, a United Methodist minister with a long history of clinical and pastoral service, recalls a famous story about Milton Erickson, M.D., one of the great hypnotherapists and psychiatrists of the last century.

One day Dr. Erickson went to his secretary and told her he was tired and wanted to rest. If anyone called, he told her, she was to say that he was out of the office. She agreed to do this for him. Some time later he put her in a hypnotic trance. He then made the same request-to tell people he was out of the office when he was in fact taking a break. While still in a formally induced trance, she refused him. “Why?” he wanted to know.

“Because,” she said, “it would be a lie.”

Ironically, in hypnosis she had a stronger moral resolve than in her normal waking state.

Hypnosis is not “brainwashing,” as Durbin points out. Brainwashing can be accomplished at any time, with or without formal trance simply by the constant repetition of suggestion. In our culture we call this advertising and media bombardment.

Let us now take a look at how responsible clinicians see hypnosis and how it can be helpful and safe for Christians to utilize it in their own healing process–whether that’s from a back injury, a surgical procedure, or a painful divorce.

The Clinical Definitions:

1. Trance As An Ordinary State of Consciousness

Perhaps the most important definition from the clinical point of view is that hypnosis only utilizes a state of consciousness that is already natural and normal. Trance is not something that is artificially induced in a person. It is not something the hypnotherapist “does” to the patient. It is simply a state of awareness in which we are more focused on an internal process (breathing, thoughts, heartbeat) and most importantly it is something all of us move in and out of all day.

Trance is normal rather than exceptional. What a good clinician will do is utilize that ordinary ability to shift awareness so that pain can be relieved, psychological blockages removed (e.g., fixations on traumatic events), and healing can be facilitated in a variety of ways.

This normal shift of awareness is even more common and spontaneous when we are frightened, hurt, or ill, which is why Verbal First Aid works so well to help stop bleeding, reduce an inflammatory response, and lower blood pressure. We can see it even more dramatically when it is used with children who enter fairly easily and frequently into “trance.”

2. Hypnosis is a Tool. Healing is Spiritual.

Healing is not dependent on one technique. A good healer or responsible clinician has more than one tool in her tool kit. Hypnosis may be one of them, but it is almost never the only one.

Hypnosis, when seen this way, as just another tool, becomes less threatening. Most clinicians acknowledge that the deepest healing is often spiritual in nature and that they are facilitators, not magicians.

Pope Pius addressed the concerns of Catholics regarding hypnosis in childbirth and stated that when used by a health care professional who was properly trained, treatment was permitted.

He also cautioned us that:

· Hypnosis was a serious issue and that it should not be toyed with;

· Practitioners should be guided by the same moral principles (Judeo-Christian ones) in their use of hypnosis as with anything else;

· The rules of good medicine must apply as much to hypnosis as to any other technique.

The truth is that no one other than God knows how healing actually occurs. We can suture one piece of skin to another, but how it knits together remains an ineffable mystery.

How Verbal First Aid Works in Alliance with Faith and the Faithful

If the definitions of trance as clinicians use it are accurate (and I believe they are) and the dangers are real as Christians see them (and I believe they certainly can be), how can the healing use of imagery work together with the faithful so that as Jesus said in John 10:10, “I am come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.”

In the beginning was the word.

That words are powerful is a familiar concept to those who read the Bible. According to many biblical scholars, the first sin was not pride, was not disobedience, was not sex. It was gossip-the misuse of words. And it is a most serious act with terribly dire consequences. The serpent whispers to Eve: “You shall not surely die.” He lied. He misled her and all of humanity, for with those words he surely brought us death.

And the only sin for which the Lord will not find us guiltless is using His name in vain.

Words have a prominent position in the Bible from the third sentence: And GOD SAID LET THERE BE LIGHT. He did not create with His “hands” or “eyes”. The “word” is used throughout to mean the “truth.” He spoke-”By the word of the Lord were the heavens made (Ps. 33).” To speak is to WILL into existence. What we say and how we say it is a co-creative act. What we say hangs somewhere between heaven and earth.

Words matter. The mystics have always known this. Only now is science catching up.

Why? Because they create images in the mind of the person to whom we are speaking. Those images and the thoughts that flow with them generate cascades of chemistry that dictate not only how we feel emotionally, but how fast or slow our hearts beat, how high our blood pressure goes, how profoundly we feel the pain of an injury, even the way our livers function.

We all use words all the time. And they have the power to help or to harm. This is already happening–on the streets, in our classrooms, on our cell phones, in our cars. What we say–and what we hear–changes the way we live and heal at the most fundamental levels. Isn’t it our obligation to make what we say as healing as possible? That’s what Verbal First Aid does–gives us the tools to be healing with our words.

Hypnosis is no different than a sermon, a lecture, a television show or a good book. It is the use of words to move us. When used in the right way with a proper intention, those words can help us heal.

Judith Acosta, LISW, is a licensed psychotherapist, crisis counselor and classical homeopath in private practice in New Mexico. She is the co-author of The Worst Is Over: What To Say When Every Moment Counts, hailed as the “bible of crisis communications.” She lectures around the country on Verbal First Aid, trauma, stress, and animal-assisted therapy. She may be reached at her website: http://www.wordsaremedicine.com/verbal-first-aid.

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What does that mean for homeschoolers? Some Christian homeschoolers accept psychology wholesale, some reject it entirely, and some wrestle with which aspects to accept and which to reject. This article suggests that whatever you believe about psychology, the time to address academic psychology is BEFORE your student leaves home for college.

If your student goes to college, there is an excellent chance he/she will take an introductory (at least) psychology course. Most medical schools, liberal arts colleges, seminaries, and teacher’s colleges require students to have some exposure to psychology. Psychology is one of the most popular undergraduate majors at public and Christian colleges and universities. College enrollment in psychology courses outpaces every other scientific discipline. Christian students are often ill prepared to confront the criticisms of Christianity and the anti-Christian worldview presented by modern psychology. The material taught in introductory psychology courses WILL challenge their worldview. University level instruction in modern psychology is generally atheistic and humanistic. Psychology departments often are home to the most anti-Christian intellectuals on college campuses. As a group, psychology professors have high levels of agnosticism, skepticism, and atheism. The psychology professor is unlikely to be sympathetic to your child’s Christian worldview and may attack their faith as unscientific, irrational, prudish, exploitive, controlling, inhibitive, oppressive, and naïve.

If psychology is fraught with such danger, shouldn’t Christian homeschoolers reject it completely? Maybe. But isn’t the humble investigation of all of God’s creation part of what it means to love God with one’s mind? Do Christians, and by extension Christian homeschoolers, have a duty to explore all of God’s creation? Does that duty to explore extend to His grandest creation; Mankind? Does that duty extend to Mankind’s mind? Though the conflicts between modern psychology and a Christian worldview are many and perilous, it may be a mistake for Christians to completely reject the study of psychology.

The bottom line is this. Beginning with Darwin’s Origin of Species, all sciences, including psychology, underwent a transformation. Scientific data were interpreted in ways to exclude supernatural beliefs. Darwinian evolution imposed itself on the Christian understanding of life (biology) and then tried to exclude anything Christian. Darwinian evolution imposed itself on the Christian understanding of Man (psychology) and then tried to exclude anything Christian.

The study of the soul, the mind, the brain, and behavior (psychology) are right and proper for Christian homeschoolers. The goal of Christian education, in biology, physics, theology, chemistry, and in psychology, is to understand God’s creation and, in the words of Johannes Kepler, to “think God’s thoughts after Him.” Christians have a duty to assert the Christian worldview in academia and Christian homeschoolers have an opportunity to lead that effort. The involvement of homeschoolers in the study of psychology is an integral part of that effort.

Now browse your favorite homeschool catalogue. Count the number of biology, physics, history, and chemistry texts (and every other academic discipline) written from a Christian perspective. Lots right? Now count the number of psychology texts. Zero right? This article suggests that the absence of material for Christian homeschoolers to study psychology is a function of those critics referenced in the opening paragraph.

Those who condemn psychology cast their nets too wide. Those on the web and in Christendom who criticize psychology are generally critical of “counseling” psychology. The criticisms may be correct, but psychology is much more than counseling. It is not the purpose of this article to evaluate the criticisms of counseling psychology. Many critics seem to be thoughtful God-fearing Christians. But painting the entire discipline with the same brush used to paint counseling psychology causes many Christians to shy-away from the whole field. The study of the mind, memory, emotions, learning, development, sensation, neurons, and all the other topics that comprise psychology, is right, proper, and important for Christian homeschoolers.

Want to use this article in your website? You have my permission, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Tim Rice, D. Min. is the author of Homeschool Psych: Preparing Christian Homeschool Students for Psych 101 available at http://www.homeschoolpsych.com

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The intention of this article is to offer what I hope will provide a fresh perspective regarding the choice between a Christian college and a secular college.

I’m confident that important characteristics such as academic excellence, internships, school size, location, career opportunities, quality of faculty, variety of programs, extra-curricular activities, etc. can be found at both secular and Christian schools across the country. With that being said, why then should one consider enrolling at a Christian college?

According to the US Department of Education, one group of Christian colleges, CCCU schools, grew over 70% from 1990 to 2004. During that same period of time, all independent four year schools grew 28%, while public four year institutions grew only about 13%. These statistics reveal that there must be something “different” about Christian colleges. I believe this difference can be primarily attributed to the environment, and it is this difference that provides the most compelling reason to enroll at a Christian college.

If you’ve been following higher education in the media over the past couple of years, you’ve likely heard some alarming news from both state and private secular institutions. I believe most people would agree that institutions of higher education in the US have promoted themselves as places of respect, tolerance and diversity. The irony is that there seems to be an ever growing intolerance for diversity in regards to issues of faith, values and even politics in higher education.

Consider the following statement:

At secular schools across the country, people of faith are often not respected and even ridiculed for their beliefs. You may be surprised to learn that I generally don’t believe this statement to be true, nor do I believe this attitude would be allowed at secular schools in this country. However, adding a single word to this statement dramatically changes both the meaning and the accuracy of the statement:

At secular schools across the country, people of Christian faith are often not respected and even ridiculed for their beliefs. If you disagree with this statement, I challenge you to ask a few committed Christians attending secular schools how their professors and classmates view their faith.

While there likely are exceptions to this rule, if you’re considering the difference between a secular and Christian school, the intolerance toward Christian values on secular campuses is an essential issue to consider.

Most fair minded people would agree that the environment where one lives has an affect on that individual. In 1994 a study was conducted that showed that approximately 52% of students who attended public institutions either no longer called themselves “born again” or had not attended a religious service of any kind in over a year. This study was done over ten years ago. One wonders what this figure would look like today.

A traditional college age student begins their collegiate career at about 18 years old. For a student from a Christian home, there are two sets of beliefs that the student likely takes with them that are particularly pertinent:

The student’s Christian faith/values Respect for those in authority While it may be argued that secular schools challenge these beliefs overtly, the greater challenge for the Christian student may be the unexpected collision of these two principles.

For 18 years, most students in this group have a basic and appropriate trust of those in authority over them. Their experience has demonstrated that the vast majority of people in authority positions have their best interest at heart – parents, pastors and even teachers. So what happens when authority figures suddenly have a very different set of values than the students, or even a completely different agenda? While the student has learned the importance of respecting those in authority, that authority figure may be the very person ridiculing the student’s faith, values and worldview. Perhaps this represents one reason why the above study discovered such a large number of students “walking away” from their faith.

Does this mean that if you’re a Christian who attends a secular college, you will turn your back on your faith? Of course not. However, the issue is more personal than statistics and generalities. The real issue is whether or not a Christian college is the best choice for you. While it’s important to consider Christian colleges for what they offer, it’s also crucial to make an honest comparison to the alternative – a secular campus environment.

Some may think that Christian colleges merely offer a “safe haven”, a place that is separated from the “challenges” in the world. I believe this view is unrealistic and flawed. It is disingenuous to think that there are not challenges to overcome at a Christian college in terms of faith, lifestyle, and ethical choices. However, generally speaking, the faculty, staff and students within a Christian college environment are concerned with seeing the student develop in all areas of life.

A Christian college offers more than just the “addition” of Christian beliefs to the educational experience. Christian faith is not merely an “extra” at Christian colleges, it is a critical element woven into the fabric of the college experience. The Christian dynamic is evident not just in chapel or a Sunday service, but also during pizza in the dorm at midnight, during an honest debate over moral and theological principles in the dining hall, and during a discussion of ethics in regards to career and family. The Christian component is noticeable in the classroom, but it is not limited by those walls. I believe this is the real difference of a Christian college environment, as well as a key reason why there has been such tremendous growth at Christian colleges. It is Christian colleges that must encourage true tolerance, respect and diversity, as these are essential principles within Christianity.

Christian colleges offer much more than a “safe haven”, they offer life preparation. Christian campuses should not be viewed as an opportunity to avoid the world, but rather as an opportunity to influence the world. The years spent within a Christian college environment can aid the student’s ability to serve, thrive, and become a modern day follower of Jesus Christ – regardless of their profession. Christian colleges are in a unique position to honestly address the spiritual and moral issues that people of every age face every day. People can spend years in training for their chosen profession, sport, and hobbies. Christian colleges can offer all of those opportunities, but within a Christian context where the student becomes more prepared to impact and live within our world.

Attending a Christian college means you don’t have to settle for only part of the educational experience.

Thom Seagren is president of The Christian Connector a Christian college information resource. The Christian Connector lets you select from over 100 Christian colleges that will send you free information, and awards a $2,500 Christian college scholarship each year.

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