Harris,
That would be a contradiction only if college were the best way to develop everyone’s “all” for God. There are a great variety of abilities God has given people, and not all are developed in the classroom.

I know a man who knew since he was young that he wanted to use the abilities God gave him to be a plumber. I know another man who has his dream job, working for a landscaper, where he can spend all his time outdoors.

I am also dismayed by the anti-intellectualism that is sometimes found among some groups of Christians. But the antidote isn’t trying to push people to go to college whose abilities can best be developed elsewhere.

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Somehow, I thought this one was headed in a very different direction.

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This “college isn’t for everyone” sure has a whiff of the anti-intellectual about it. Present-day evangelicals do seem to be susceptible, even though historically, evangelicals have been real champions of advanced education.

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The daughter I mentioned – who works at a daycare & plans on getting a degree in Early Childhood Education by taking evening classes – is using her God-given gifts. We’ve seen her gift for working with little children since she was a younger teenager helping out with the little ones at church.

She knows she won’t make a lot of money in this, but she thinks it’s more important to make a difference in a child’s life. And if or when she has children of her own, she could have a daycare in her own home.

We strongly believe in following the Lord’s leading for one’s life.

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On the other hand, my oldest went to Patrick Henry College and I would recommend that school to most anyone in a heartbeat. It’s not for slackers though – the average SAT scores of entrants are on par with Harvard or Yale and from what I hear the classes are much harder. (One example, one of my kids cousins was taking Latin classes at one of our state universities at about the same time that my daughter was at PHC, and the state university took a whole year to cover the book that PHC students covered in one semester.) I only wish that they had more variety in majors.

I have heard of other colleges that inspire kids to learn and have a positive environment for training them for life as well – but only at some private Christian colleges.

As I think back, my positive experience in a state university in the ’70’s was largely in spite of the general college environment. Yes there were a couple of professors that were very good and I got to know personally and interact with through clubs, etc. But the general college scene was not positive back then, either. From what I hear, it is much worse now.

So now I am trying to think of how to help my son get the education and/or experience he needs in possibly other ways, as he has very little interest in college right now.

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I read this thread earlier, thinking of how to draft my response. You hit the target, great post.

GOD doesn’t have the same plan for everyone. I often times, when in a discussion such as this, reflect back on the fact that the LORD Jesus Christ chose 12 disciples, some of which were fishermen, everyday people, except for Matthew he was a tax collector. Certainly most of these men were not educated. Luke was a doctor, but not a disciple —- how can we ignore their devotion and love for the LORD, how Christ had reasons which we are not privy to, as to WHY he picked this men. Something to ponder, as we ask ourselves many questions regarding GOD’S Will in our lives, and HIS plan.

Education is wonderful, IF it is GOD’S Will, however HE might have another plan, another path.

I hope you continue to post.

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I think we should question this American institution called “higher education,” not because we are revolutionary or rebellious, but because we need to re-evaluate our thinking about it and sift this entrenched idea through the grid of a Biblical worldview. Therefore …

What do the Scriptures say:
– about our level of intelligence and what we should do with it?
– is the purpose of education?
– is a good life?
– is good preparation for a productive life?
– about the use of all that money?
– and more . . .

Once you’ve figured out some of those basic questions, then there are others to ask your college-bound child, like:

– what do you want to do with your life?
– will college enable you to prepare for that calling?
– are you currently prepared for college academically, emotionally, morally and spiritually?
– are you willing to pay what it will cost?

Please tell me how to think about these things? Don’t give me the same-old, same-old answers.

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But there are those who do not belong at college, whether because they’re not ready (needing remedial classes, or needing to grow up enough to be willing to do what it takes to really learn instead of just taking up space in class), or because they’re more interested in learning a trade. They may choose college later, and both they and the college will be better for their having waited.

There are things that everyone should learn – and the conservative Christians’ argument is that they should be learning it in high school. Rather than trying to get as many people as possible to go to college, the goal should be to improve high school education – and this will require improving the lower grades as well to prepare students adequately.

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