Maintaining the faith in a secular college
Secular colleges engulfĀ WELSĀ studentsĀ in new,Ā evenĀ unchristian,Ā ideasābutĀ studentsĀ shouldnāt be afraid.Ā
Richard WilkoszĀ
Martin Luther went to college to become a lawyer, but that changed.Ā Take note, students and your worried parents:Ā The imminent change of the college experience can be a blessing.Ā
Suddenly, in just one semester, youĀ alreadyĀ may be rethinking your career path, political views, and more.Ā Young adulthood is tumultuousāa typical undergraduate student switches majors three times. What else could you expect from so much discovery about the world and your place in it? Family and friends may not always understand or approveāLutherās father fumed when his son left law school for monkhoodābut do not focus on a growing distance between you and those who love you and watched you grow up. Focus on the faith that still binds you together.Ā Ā
Christianity has always appealed to diverse people, starting with theĀ apostles. Simon the Zealot was part of a movement to overthrow the Roman government. Matthew was a Roman employee. Did they agree on earthly issues? Yet they were united by Christās heavenly mission. Jesus said, āMy kingdom is not of this worldā (John 18:36). Earthly differences and changes doĀ not have to send ripples overĀ your unshaking citizenship in that kingdom.Ā
Itās not a sin to hear someone out who thinks differently.Ā In fact, Peter writes, āAlways be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respectā (1 Peter 3:15). āEveryoneā has no exceptionāthose of other faiths, those who deny God, and those without firm beliefs.Ā Using āgentleness and respectā isĀ to first listenāreally listen. The skill is difficult to learnĀ but necessary to have.Ā Ā
Fortunately, you have every chance to practice. Secular colleges exchange as many ideas as they can cram into one place. Participate inĀ the discussions. When listening, you gain valuable new perspectives. When speaking, you have the blessed opportunity to share Jesus.Ā
Empathy is the key.Ā See it in Paul where he writes, āTo the Jews I becameĀ like a Jew, to win the Jews. . . .Ā To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from GodāsĀ law but am under ChristāsĀ law). . .Ā .Ā I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save someā (1 Corinthians 9:20-22).Ā
Now see how he put it in practice. Paul listened before saying, āPeople of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.Ā SoĀ you are ignorant of the very thing you worshipāand this is what I am going to proclaim to youā (Acts 17:22,23).Ā Paul learned about the Athenians. His message then became personal and compelling enough to convert new followers in a place overflowing with gods and strange beliefs.Ā
LutherĀ listened as well. He studiedĀ the classical philosophers, the Catholic Church of his time, and the Bible itself. Some sources confirmed his faith; others did not. Those new and different voices only helped inform his own personal, compelling message of faith. You can do the same, while at the same time declaring with Luther, āHere I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.āĀ
Richard Wilkosz, a junior atĀ the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, is a member at Redeemer, Weston, Wisconsin.Ā
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Author: Richard Wilkosz
Volume 104, Number 10
Issue: October 2017
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