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For Christian parents, preparing their children for college involves more than academics. In addition
to preparing students for a career, colleges and universities are intended to equip students with the breadth and depth of
knowledge necessary to become the social, business, and political leaders of their community’s and nation’s future
(that was, in fact, their original intent). In many college classrooms, this idealistic goal has been subordinated by professors
to indoctrinating students to accept particular philosophies and social views. A two-page article cannot cover all the possible
permutations of what Christian college students might encounter, so my purpose here is to outline the problem, some of the
issues, and some approaches to preparing Christian students for some of the challenges they are likely to encounter. To a
large degree, this article was inspired by my son’s experience with one of his professors.
Christian college students are likely to encounter two fundamental attitudes toward Christians and Christianity at most
colleges. First, Christians and Christianity are viewed either as stupid and ignorant, or as aspiring to set up an oppressive
theocracy. Second, many professors view their classes as opportunities to indoctrinate students in the professors’ particular
philosophy, grievance, or cause. Sometimes this indoctrination is related to the topic of the course; sometimes the indoctrination
supplants the topic of the course.
Though the names may vary - Marxism, Socialism, Progressive - a political philosophy of government bureaucratic (unelected,
unaccountable) control and intervention in society and business is very common. Less common, a philosophy of minimal government,
approaching anarchy, is occasionally encountered. Many professors will attempt to create in students a vision of the world
where God doesn’t exist or is irrelevant. Evolution is often presented as the root of all that is - biologically, economically,
and socially. Some professors will teach atheism and seek out Christians among their students to challenge, ridicule, and
attempt to convert. Related, but not necessarily presented in connection with atheism, moral absolutes are denied, and hypothetical
situations are used to represent morals as impractical or ridiculous. Grievances or causes are frequently advocated (how any
cause can be "right", or any grievance a "wrong", in light of the usually accompanying moral relativism, isn’t explained):
ethnic causes; feminism; special rights for homosexuals; sexual "freedom"; recreational use of chemicals.
How should Christian parents prepare their children for all this? First, remember that God is bigger than any professor,
university, or philosophy. God has given two spiritual weapons (Ephesians 6:17-18) in what, in the final analysis, is a spiritual
battle. God has given us his Truth, which encompasses all truth; God has given us access to Himself and His power through
prayer. Second, Christian parents have 18 years (or more) to prepare their children for life, including college. This isn’t
an excuse for procrastination, but rather an encouragement to make good use of every one of the approximately 6,600 days to
teach our children Christian character, morals, and doctrine (more than soteriology!).
Whether Christian parents homeschool, send their children to a private school, or send their children to a public school,
they are ultimately responsible for the education (Christian and academic) of their children. Thus, parents should combine
in their children’s Christian education their family’s homeschool or Christian private school (if applicable),
the teaching in their church’s services, Sunday School, and youth groups, the teaching of para-church ministries (e.g.
AWANA, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Worldview Academy), and their own, direct, teaching within their family. This education
should address issues such as those mentioned in the third paragraph, individually, and in a way that helps our children form
a cohesive, coherent, Christian worldview (Christian philosophy of life).
Christian parents, as their children get into junior high, high school, and college, need to keep communication channels
open with their children. Encourage them to discuss with you the challenges, issues, and fun things they are experiencing.
As they mature, you need to act less as an authority issuing instructions, and more as an advisor or mentor helping them learn
to navigate through their challenges and the world around them. This relationship will enable you to help them - sometimes
learning new things yourself - when a college professor abuses their position of authority and takes advantage of their students’
lesser knowledge and experiences to attempt to supplant your son’s or daughter’s faith or indoctrinate them into
some political philosophy or cause.
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