Being A Christian Student: Being A Christian College Student

743 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Spirituality be taught essay

Being a Christian College Student There is a coexisting relationship between being a Christian and being a student. A Christian must pursue all avenues of life with Christ as the center of their focus. A student seeks to learn and must challenge oneself to gain knowledge throughout life. For a student, college is one avenue available for them to travel to attain this goal. If someone is a Christian student, they must realize that there is no separation of meaning between the two words. They exist together. This relationship shapes why the student learns and how they learn. Through intellectual hospitality, an article by Stanley Hauerwas and the practice of reading, one gains perspective on the meaning of being a Christian student. The concept …show more content…

Reading shapes the way that a college student thinks and broadens their understanding in a variety of subjects. Not only do books and articles aid in teaching information, they provide channels to connect with other people. Books invite conversation to intellectual friends and teachers, allowing the Christian student a chance to further deepen their awareness of subjects they wish to comprehend. As God calls His followers to build relationships with others on earth, books become a tool to follow His teachings. As Stanley Hauerwas (13) says, “To a great extent, becoming an educated person means adding lots of layers to your relationships.” A Christian college student must understand that in order to get the most out of this practice, they must pay attention to what they are reading. “If reading is to accomplish anything more than passing time, it must be active” (Adler 299). By engaging the thoughts and ideas captured by the author and studying the contents, a Christian student can enhance their learning experience in a myriad of ways. Reading is an essential practice for a Christian college student and as Stanley Hauerwas (14) states, “Books are touchstones, common points of reference. They are the water in which our minds

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of Worldview By Ostrander

    175 Words  | 1 Pages

    Chapter one introduces the book as an effort to explain the purpose behind going to a liberal arts university and taking general education classes. Ostrander, the author, states that understanding the concept behind a worldview is key to thriving in a Christian college, explaining that a worldview is not just a set of ideas, but a way of life, and everyone has one. He expounds on this idea with his next point, that all education comes with a worldview. Each professor you have, whether religious or secular, will bring his or her background and history with him into his teaching. In a Christian College, though, there is a single concept that unifies and connects everyone's worldviews, but this worldview is constantly changing and open ended,

    Read More

  • Liz Addison Two Years Are Better Than Four Summary

    1027 Words  | 3 Pages

    Entry to community college allows just that. Addison explains, “just follow any one of the 1,655 road signs, and pop your head inside—yes, independent film, a first independent thought, a first independent study” (212). Many potential college prospects are turned away because this self-discovery found in community college cannot be found in private college; however, Addison insists that community college is the golden ticket to regain these would-be scholars. To begin, acceptance is necessary for admittance to many colleges—not community college. In the words of Addison, “down at X.Y.C.C. it is still possible to enter the college experience as a rookie” (213). Any student desiring education, preparation, and self-discovery does not need to look any further than community college, which, for some students, is the only shot at the college experience. On top of this, community colleges provide opportunities like no college—public or private—could. Community colleges provide introductory courses that could not be found in regular institutions; this allows students to explore and get their feet under them. To find and pursue an interest proves more difficult at a college because intense classes are provided from the beginning, whether students have declared a major or have yet to decide. In sum, Addison claims that an atmosphere designed

    Read More

  • Summary Of Engaging God's World

    1125 Words  | 3 Pages

    Christian education is for this project. Christian education is the training of special agents of the kingdom of God and the consummation of creation.” (pg.139) I found it fascinating that Plantinga describes ‘us’ within the Christian education system are called or elected to help God regain and restore His earth here with Christ. We have to remember, “no matter what our primary occupation we cannot let it become a preoccupation.” Plantinga helped me to reflect on my current life, my current job, and my current Christian education. I found that when we let these other aspects of our lives, whether it be bills, work or exams, we often allow reality to fade into the background. Or perhaps we could look at it this way: Our lives get so busy and hectic that we tend to put God on the back burner. Christian education whether in a university or biblical studies at home will give us guidance through our hectic lives, renewing our minds and keep us in close connection with our Creator and the rest of His Creation. Plantinga sums up Christian education as “for the kingdom of God. It equips us to be agents of the kingdom, models of the kingdom in our own lives and communities, witnesses to the kingdom wherever we go in the world.” (pg.143) When we ‘put on the full armor of God’ we not only protect ourselves from this fallen world but we are also able to project God’s glory to all those who we encounter.

    Read More

  • Davis Brooks 'Becoming A Real Person'

    595 Words  | 2 Pages

    In "Becoming a Real Person", Davis Brooks weighs on the notion of the purpose of college. He claims that there are three ways that college aims to lead us. The cognitive objective teaches us knowledge and how to correctly use it, the moral role helps us build a unique individual self, and the commercial role leads us toward a future career. These three roles play a part in improving an individual's future prospects. While I agree on the importance these roles take, Brooks undermines the significance of moral education in higher education.

    Read More

  • Mark Edmundson's On The Uses Of A Liberal Education

    1053 Words  | 3 Pages

    The multiple choices students have today in college have made the university a party environment, resulting in complacent students. Mark Edmundson raises important questions and makes valid points in this essay that are worth thinking about. If people don’t take a look at our present college system and start thinking outside the box, the college education system will continue on its downward spiral of consumerism. It is fun to graduate high school and go to college to party and to have a comedic professor, but there is so much more to college then having fun. People need to realize that by challenging student, students can then start to recognize their own potential end become better for it. Learning and utilizing the information that is being taught in college is essential. “Everyone is born with their own mind, all that is left to do is break out of the stereotypical college student mold, and use

    Read More

  • A look at Sharon Parks Faith Development: Creating Meaning Through a Core Curriculum

    1927 Words  | 4 Pages

    “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel” This quote by famous Greek philosopher, Socrates touches upon educations purpose as an instrument used in the creation and cultivation of a desire for knowledge. Higher education provides for an opportunity where emerging adults can find the tools needed to further develop and question the world in which they live. In relation, Dr. Sharon Parks’ theory of faith development explores this important period. This paper seeks to examine her notion of meaning and how it can be used and facilitated within a core curriculum.

    Read More

  • Menand's Three Theories Of College

    1089 Words  | 3 Pages

    During my first few days of sophomore year at Stuyvesant High School, I saw how the ways of thinking were diverse in each of my classes. In my European Literature class, where, in our first reading assignment, we questioned the purpose of education itself. I always went with the flow in my learning, and never stopped to say to myself, “Why am I doing this to myself?”. However, once I read Live and Learn by Louis Menand, I started to think about Menand’s three theories of college and juxtapose each of them to my experience so far in high school. In the end, I concluded that many of my classes followed the main points of Theory 2, which was the theory that I mostly agreed with when I read the article for the first time.

    Read More

  • Higher Education Opinions

    1058 Words  | 3 Pages

    How imperative is it that one pursues a traditional college experience? Although it might appear that Charles Murray and Liz Addison are in agreement that the traditional college experience is not necessary for everyone, Addison provides a more convincing argument that higher education is necessary in some form. This is seen through Addison’s arguments that college is essential to growing up, that education is proportional to the life one lives, and that community college reinvents the traditional college experience. Not only does Addison have her own opinions about college, but Murray does as well.

    Read More

  • Ellen L. Marmon's Transformative Learning Theory

    898 Words  | 2 Pages

    Equally important, the author describes the Christian life as a “dynamic faith journey” (p.224) which remind us that is not just a linear process but a never-ending lifestyle that is constantly changing. It is like the worldview, described in Why College Matters to God, “continuously subject to growth and revision as we encounter new people, ideas, and experiences” (Ostrander, 2012, p. 28). That is why she claims that even during the adulthood people can keep building their knowledge in a different but excellent way. Adults have built their personal perspectives of situations in life, so she emphasizes that during this process, there are going to exist changes and that is how people acquire new information. That is why Marmon reaffirms: “Adult learning is tricky; grown men and women often must unlearn

    Read More

  • My Philosophy Of Higher Education

    835 Words  | 2 Pages

    My philosophy of higher education is that thus far we have realized that the gift of sharing knowledge is one of the keys to success in our society. We have learned from so many great philosophers, scientist, and researchers that have fueled our knowledge in a vast variety subjects. The importance of passing on this knowledge and improving our society has shown to be important in human survival and our growth in the years to come. As the years pass and technology is getting more advanced, the need for higher education is steadily rising. In the past years, a bachelor’s degree was viewed as one of the greatest accomplishments of that time. Now in today’s standards, only having a bachelors degree will not suffice. Thus proving that higher education is the pillars for growth in humanity. Similar to my philosophy, I believe my Christian experience relates to my views of higher education. For instance, as Christians, we have learned that the keys to success is reading and learning from the Bible. Just as we have learned from past philosophers, the Bible provides Christians with knowledge to continue to walk in the path that God has paved for us to go to heaven. In addition, talking and communicating with God helps us in times of need. He is our teacher and supervisor providing us useful knowledge to succeed. From that guidance, it is our job to pass that knowledge to other Christians to grow in our faith. In both higher education and Christianity, our job is to pass our knowledge and faith to others to maintain and improve human survival for years to come. Moreover, in today’s society, there is a growing need for Christ centered learning. I believe that CBU offers that and more. By combining my Christian experience and philosophy of ...

    Read More

  • Study Religion Off Campus And How This May Challenge Traditional Understandings Of Religion

    1497 Words  | 3 Pages

    In conclusion, it is important to study religion off campus as Smart (1994) has said one must “walk a mile in [the] moccasins [of religious people]” in order to gain a real understanding of how belief has an impact on people and how it motivates people to live their lives, this cannot be obtained through textbooks or media reports. It is how Harvey (2013) suggests that belief has to be learnt and is enacted by others through witnessing, speaking, reading, ritualising, congregation and acceptance. Studying off campus does not mean challenging the traditional understanding of religion. Historical and textual books should still be used to provide foundation knowledge but one must go beyond this and engage with living religions in order to obtain a rich first-hand experience.

    Read More

  • An Aversion to Reading in Disliking Books by Gerald Graff

    694 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout Gerald Graff’s own personal struggle with reading books, he learned that reading critically while also engaging in critical and intellectual discussion could open a whole new world of personal connections he was never able to make before.

    Read More

  • The Importance of a Christian Education

    728 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...he valuable lessons we will have had when we graduate and go out and teach God’s truths, people need to see the same priorities and principles at work in our lives as well. A Christian education is truly priceless because through God’ authority it gives students a moral foundation exceeding any cons that any author could raise.

    Read More

  • A Mind For God Reflection

    1346 Words  | 3 Pages

    Before reading this book, I was struggling with the amount of reading that college was presenting. White does not waste time and gets to the fact that reading is an act of worship early on. He makes a connection with junk food and reading on page 43. If we feed our body junk all the time, we will become obese and ill. Similarly if all we read is junk, our minds will become ill and not reflect a mind for God (White, 43). When he says this he means that we should be engaging our brains with material that will make us think and grow intellectually. White states that in the middle ages, “learning in and of itself, was sacred, for it was pursuing the very knowledge of God, and life in light of that knowledge” (White, 53). Today learning has become something far from what it was intended to be back in the middle ages. Today we have removed the aspect of God from public schools and we focus on getting the grade instead of the knowledge. White suggests that, “the starting point of our education (or our commitment to learning) is biblical literacy” (White, 57). This fits into the Christian worldview, but not into very many other worldviews. Unfortunately many are biblically illiterate in today’s culture and White mentions several different types of Bible readers in chapter four. He mentions the “service readers,” “devotional

    Read More

  • Christian And Christian Life: Become A Christian

    1289 Words  | 3 Pages

    Christianity is pretty simple its all about one life, the life of Jesus the Son of God. The christian life is a life that consists of following Jesus, all you have to do is believe in Jesus Christ and give your life to him. Becoming a christian offers eternal life after earth, it gives you greater ethics, support through out life, and a life after death. Becoming a christian relies on constant progression, its not enough to be a christian in name you have to live the Christian lifestyle. As a christian you will learn to strive for better morals. Your goals as christian need to be how do I become a better Christian and be more like God.

    Read More

More about Being A Christian Student: Being A Christian College Student

Open Document