If you are about to go into college, will you lose your faith like the majority of your peers? A survey done by Summit Ministries through a cooperative institutional research program found that 59 percent of students leave the faith during college years.
Why is it a problem? Isn’t it good they are finding “themselves?”
The obvious answer is without faith in Christ, all are bound for eternal condemnation in Hell. However, even from a worldly standpoint, there are repercussions to leaving the Faith in college.
The president of the Barna Group, David Kinnaman, explains that the decisions made from ages 18-28 are crucial and involve setting up the foundation for life. He writes, “The choices made in the first adult decade set the direction of life, as young adults make decisions about education, debt and finances, career, marriage, family, meaning, and many other critical matters.”
As Kinnaman explains, these years are important, therefore, the students need a basis for their decision making, which is in their Faith. As these students lose their Faith, they lose the primary element of their worldview. The difference a consistent worldview makes is immense; it directs how we understand God, nature, and humanity. So, when a student abandons their Faith, they lose the foundation of their worldview so it crumbles. As a result, the student must recreate a worldview from scratch. This can leave the student in a lost and confused state, in turn, leading them to make poor decisions in some of the most important years of their life. Years that usually set the tone for life.
What is causing the problem?
Essentially, the problem is due to ignorance and secularized institutions.
Many churches fail to teach doctrines that pertain to the Christian life, such as spiritual growth, the problem of evil and sin, and understanding where Christ's calling -- that is, doctrines that allow for an urgent and vibrant faith. Young Christians are not focusing on these doctrines, and understanding the need for answering these hard questions. As a result, they fail to understand why they believe in Christianity or even the principles Christianity teaches. Barna’s other study asked if the Bible contained wisdom for living a meaningful life, the results yielded that: 65% of active believers believed this to be true while only 17% of dropouts believed this. This study concludes that a student with an understanding of their faith and apologetics is more likely to stay rather than ignorant students.
In their survey, the Washington Post determined that “72 percent of those teaching at American universities and colleges are liberal and 15 percent are conservative." With this survey in mind, students must understand the pressure they will experience in the typical class room. John Stonestreet writes, “Frankly, many students fall prey to the anti-Christian rhetoric of their professor."
The students who are ill-equipped and are not capable to defend their faith become easily swayed by their non-Christian professors.
What are the solutions?
Here are a few starting solutions:
1. 2 Peter 1:10, “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” Christian’s confirm their calling according to their yield of fruit in their life (Galatians 5:22).
2. Get involved in a local Christian community, join a nearby church, and participate Bible study. Find the campus RUF or another Christian fellowship student organization.
3. Read the Bible and pray. Simple enough, right? Apparently not.
Christian, if you are attending college this fall, your faith is at great risk, defend it by living an active Faith. A Faith in which you abide in the Bible, surround yourself with trustworthy Christians, and confirm your calling and election.
See also:
http://www.summit.org/resources/essays/students-ab...
http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-to-confirm-your-call-and-election
