by Rob Hoffman
Recently, Chris, one of our single college students, told me how he was humiliated and mocked by his professor and other students at the University of Tennessee over a statement he made concerning religion in answer to a professor’s question. This was in Knoxville, in the middle of the Bible belt.
No doubt thousands of eager young adults leave our student ministries and Christian schools every fall to attend secular universities all over America. They leave with a desire to grow and learn, and more often than not, a desire to please the Lord. These are young lives searching for their place in a treacherous academic world. At risk are the hearts and minds of our most precious commodity — our future. What they will encounter in the secular university setting is frightening:
- A Darwinian view of origins that degrades humanity to the level of every other species.
- A humanistic view of authority that places man at the center of his own universe, responsible to no one.
- A hedonistic view of ethics and morality that removes any barriers to decency.
- Either atheism or a pluralism that replaces the Creator God with a small god incapable of anything spectacular, whoever he (or she) may be.
In short, the character, values, morality, and faith you have faithfully taught them will face an onslaught of attacks by the very people you have taught them to respect: their professors, mentors, and friends. It is time we ask: why send our students to schools where they will be exposed to those who cause students to doubt their faith and values?
In recent years, we have seen a strong emergence of Christian schools and universities that offer wonderful opportunities for our students to gain a well-rounded biblical worldview and an education academically equivalent to any school in America. Many of these schools are world-class in the sense that their professors, staff, and academics are second to none, equal or surpassing that of secular universities. But I would like to take that one step further and say that our BBFI academic institutions are the best choice for our students.
Our BBFI schools are especially well-equipped to train students to live in a generation whose worldview is warped, whose view of historic Christianity is blurred, and whose view of self is scandalized.
- They teach a foundational worldview built around the historic doctrines of the Christian faith. The BBFI holds a unique view of church life, and our schools mirror that uniqueness. We are a Baptist fellowship and our schools are Baptist schools. At our schools your students will learn the unique place of Baptists in church history and the principles of church government and doctrine that make us distinct.
- Students learn an historic and biblical worldview of the environment in which God is the Creator and Sustainer, and man is the manager of all that is around him.
- Students have a more personalized education. The professor-to-student ratio intentionally allows your students to interact with professors and staff who are ministry and localchurch minded.
- Students will be members of a local church while at college, with a pastor and staff who care for them and where they are provided with opportunities for internship and ministry in a unique local-church setting.
- Students learn that evangelism is a priority in life and will learn strategies that will enhance their ability to win their generation to Christ.
- Students learn loyalty to the pastor and staff of their local churches. – Students learn the biblical view of sexuality missing in our culture and will be held to high standards of Christian ethics and morality.
- Because of their excellent accreditation and relationship with other schools in their area (our two BBFIowned schools have regional accreditation on par with secular schools in their area), even when a student must take subjects not normally a part of Bible college education, such as nursing, etc., students are able to stay on our campus and take classes at other schools in town.
In a time when historic Christianity is being attacked every day in media, academia, and government, we can’t afford to lose one student to their claims. Our BBFI schools have academic excellence, balanced standards, and a worldview that will set the feet of our students on a solid foundation for life. Pastors, I challenge you to actively promote BBFI schools among your high school students and single young adults. These schools are worthy of your students and your financial support.