Holmes, Arthur F. The Idea of a Christian College. Revised edition.
My essay is based on the book “The Idea of a Christian College” by Arthur F. Holmes, the revised edition. I want to state the benefits of attending a Christian college. A Christian liberal arts education is often misunderstood and underrated. In today's competitive economy, having a degree is required for applying to an entry level job. In this paper, I would like to provide examples for readers to see the benefits and advantages of receiving your degree from a Christian liberal arts college.
Many people attend college for education but attending a Christian college you receive a Christian education. I believe that your perspective on life changes and every decision
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you make is based on faith. The difference in a Christian college is that the education cultivates the creativity and integration of faith and learning. Arthur F Holmes book, “The Idea of a Christian College” the author proposes how a Christian liberal arts education is important and how it should be practiced. He has also in turn added two extra chapters in the revised edition. The book sets forth a vision of what a liberal, Christian education is and how it should be realized in Christian institutions of higher learning. In the chapters, “liberal arts as career preparation” and “the marks of an educated person” Holmes writes, “we must explore what ‘liberal education’ means and how it is affected by the Christian’s tasks”. Many unanswered questions were put to Arthur Holmes from his students and teachers, hence the revised edition tries to clarify and explain his initial ideas from his previous book. Holmes leads us to believe that we must not simply work with the ideas of those who create answers for us. What is our purpose in life and what do we really want to do? We must not go to school to get in a field that pays the bills but to do something with meaning and satisfaction. Going to college just to pass a test does not give us the answers to life’s questions. We must ask ourselves, “Why do we go through the expense and dedication to continue our education”? The mission of a Christian liberal arts education should center on the person as a whole.
In my opinion, this type of education will allow us to gain the necessary tools in order to become successful in today’s world; I believe that each of us has a purpose in life. In this day and age our faith should allow us to grow and to know Jesus Christ, to understand his message on earth, his devotion and belief in his ministry. His story allows us to know who he was and teaches us to model our lives and behaviors according to the will of God. Having an education that goes hand in hand with faith and the understanding of God will in truth allow us to know God, and what our purpose of life is. In Roman 12:4-5, each one of us has been given a special gift and called to a specific purpose. By joining with other believers, we can utilize this gift that will bring a meaning to our life through Christ.
These are the four concepts of importance in his book; creation, the human process, truth, and the cultural mandate. The concept of creation impacts all realms of nature and to human history and culture. He further states that we are creatures of two worlds, the natural and the spiritual, the secular and the sacred, the world and the church. Everything in nature and in history plays its parts in carrying out God's purpose. To neglect the kind of education that helps us understand and appreciate God's world betrays either shallow thinking or fearful
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disbelief. The human person, in other words, God made use in his image. Human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. We are equipped by God with rational, moral and powers to invest for our maker. Everything about people created in God's image belongs to God. Truth- if we are truthful in our saying that God is all wise and knowledgeable. God knows everything, so the truth about the physical order is known perfectly to God, only God the creator is ultimately the source of all that is true. The cultural mandate entails that at creation, God made us in his image, our cultural responsibilities originate here. Even culture stands constantly under the judgment of God. Culture was ordained by God. Overall, this revised edition of The Idea of a Christian College is an excellent book.
The values in which an education gives should go beyond the value of money earned. In this book, The Idea of a Christian College, it has helped introduce students and teachers to the conversation about faith and learning in Christian colleges. As well as the new changes and challenges that schools are faced with. The bible states, “While our presentable parts need no special treatment, but god has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. It also continues by saying, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.” (Corinthian 12:24-2) Personally, the life we live or education we receive should be for what it is intended for. I feel it has allowed me to know the connection between faith and education, this freedom has allowed me to have a personal connection to the education that I am receiving. By looking at these four concepts and how it affects the values on education and liberal learning. “The question to ask about education is not what I can do with it, but rather what is it doing to me as a person”, (Arthur F
Holmes).
Schultz (2006) defines a biblical worldview as one in which Christ is the center of everything and everything is based upon the Bible. This does not mean that only the Bible is taught, rather, every subject is seen through the lens of the Truth found in the Word of God. In a biblical worldview, God is seen as ultimate reality and truth. Because truth and reality reside with God they do not change but are transcendent, universal and eternal. This eternal perspective must be fully understood by each teacher and modeled and taught to each student. When reality is defined by God the Bible bec...
Since I can remember I have always heard that knowledge is power. No wonder my parents went far and beyond to ensure I had the opportunity to attend Saint Mary’s. My parents believe knowledge is powerful when obtained through a Catholic education. Thus, I understand the intent of Saint Mary’s University in developing God’s gift of knowledge with a mind of my own. The Saint Mary’s University liberal education will affect the growth of my own mind and soul which will allow my never-ending pursuit of knowledge.
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.
In “Two Years Are Better than Four”, Liz Addison argues against Rick Perlstein’s article “What’s the Matter With College?”. While Perlstein questions the value of college as it currently is, Addison argues that the “community college system is America’s hidden public service gem”(Addison 257). By way of that, she defends the value of college. Unsurprisingly, as with most situations, the truth is somewhere in between ends of a spectrum created by these two articles. While I agree with Addison’s idea of community college being an accessible starting point for everyone, she fails to appropriately represent the unique culture often found in these types of colleges. Also, I think that she also fails to look at the overall purpose of attending school and then neglects to acknowledge the benefits of a four year university.
It may come as no surprise to some that a quality education has the power to provide, for those who seek it, the opportunity of personal and professional transformation. It can be said that a society which encourages higher education is more likely to yield a population of individuals who are civic minded and purposeful as opposed to a society which does not. In an article entitled “What Can College Mean? – Lessons from the Bard Prison Institute, author Ellen Condiffe Lagemann supports the importance of a liberal arts education but also presents the case that quality education in the United States is not available to all.
The right and privilege to higher education in today’s society teeters like the scales of justice. In reading Andrew Delbanco’s, “College: What It Was, Is, and Should Be, it is apparent that Delbanco believes that the main role of college is to accommodate that needs of all students in providing opportunities to discover individual passions and dreams while furthering and enhancing the economic strength of the nation. Additionally, Delbanco also views college as more than just a time to prepare for a job in the future but a way in which students and young adults can prepare for their future lives so they are meaningful and purposeful. Even more important is the role that college will play in helping and guiding students to learn how to accept alternate point of views and the importance that differing views play in a democratic society. With that said, the issue is not the importance that higher education plays in society, but exactly who should pay the costly price tag of higher education is a raging debate in all social classes, cultures, socioeconomic groups and races.
A well-rounded education is very important and much supported. Two supporters are John Henry Newman and Paulo Freire. John Henry Newman was a professor at Oxford University and an Anglican minister that converted to Roman Catholicism and became a Pope. He delivered several lectures in Dublin, Ireland, about the importance of a Catholic education. These early lectures on education were revised and published in The Idea of a University. One of those lectures, “Knowledge Its Own End,” is about two distinct kinds of education (Austin, 53). Newman believed that there was a need for education purely for pleasure and education that is needed to pursue a specific career. Paulo Freire is a Brazilian literature professor and philosopher. Freire
In recent years, many have debated whether or not a college education is a necessary requirement to succeed in the field of a persons’ choice and become an outstanding person in society. On one hand, some say college is very important because one must contribute to society. The essay Three Reasons College Still Matters by Andrew Delbanco shows three main reasons that students should receive their bachelor’s degree. On the other hand, many question the point of wasting millions of dollars on four years or maybe more to fight for highly competitive jobs that one might not get. Louis Menand wrote an article based on education titled Re-Imagining Liberal Education. This article challenges the main thought many americans have after receiving a secondary education. Louis Menand better illustrates the reasons why a student should rethink receiving a post secondary education better than Andrew Delbanco’s three reasons to continue a person’s education.
In this chapter, the author (Holmes) is very specific in what he wants to focus; he mentions four concepts, which are creation, human person, truth and the cultural mandate.
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.
Throughout the years, America has always debated whether education is needed- if it helps people succeed or not. The argument in the past was always over high school education, which is now mandatory. That decision has helped the US rise economically and industrially. Today, the US is in the middle of the same debate- this time, over college. Some, like David Leonhardt, a columnist for the business section of The New York Times, think a college education creates success in any job. Others, such as Christopher Beha, an author and assistant editor of Harper’s Magazine, believe that some college “education” (like that of for-profit schools) is a waste of time, and can even be harmful to students. Each stance on this argument has truth to it, and there is no simple answer to this rising issue in an ever changing nation full of unique people. Any final decision would affect the United States in all factions- especially economically and socially. However, despite the many arguments against college, there is overwhelming proof that college is good for all students, academically or not.
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 ...
The idea of “academic freedom” in American higher education is a fairly new concept. Before a recent change in educational practices, religious ideals were deeply rooted in higher education curriculum. By the late-twentieth century, however, the idea of academic freedom became more prevalent across the higher education community. As a result, the influence of religion played a lesser role in the development of curriculum across colleges and universities as professors seized their newly granted academic freedom. With the advent of the modern liberal movement in the United States, the atmosphere in colleges and universities has become increasingly oppressive of Christianity in the name of “academic freedom”. This issue was effectively characterized in William Buckley’s God and Man at Yale: The Superstitions of “Academic Freedom”.
...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.
The closer I get to my high school graduation, the more I desire to continue my education in a Christian environment. I have gone to a Christian school for my whole life, and I am grateful for my experience because I am constantly surrounded by peers and teachers who love the Lord. A Christian school environment has fostered personal spiritual growth. Nonetheless, my spiritual life is not finished growing, which is why I am determined to attend a Christian college. The reason I desire to further continue my academic journey in a Christian environment is to enable myself to grow in my relationship with Christ. Additionally, I also desire to surround myself with peers, mentors, and faculty who have the same beliefs as myself. The opportunity