Pros and Cons of Christian Education

A Christian Education 1

The Pros and Cons of a Christian Education

Willie King

Foundations of Christian Learning

A Christian Education 2

The Pros and Cons of A Christian Education

Although attending a Christian College has its advantages, it has some disadvantages that may birth skepticism for Christian Students and Non-Christian students alike. For any person, deciding what university to attend may be a difficult decision. A student must decide what it is that they want from a higher education and how it will prepare us for the future. There is a compare and contrast that must be done in order to make the best possible decision. Christian Students must decide if they want to concentrate on the career goal or if they want to merge their religious learning with their career path. A non-Christian student must determine whether a Christian College will give them the specific knowledge they may need to succeed or focus more on the teachings of the bible. This will be discussed as we compare and contrast the two and pinpoint the pros and cons to going to a Christian College.

Christian education is an education that is built upon an understanding that God is our creator. Christian values and attitudes are taught and emphasized in the Christian school. The Christian ethics and morals from home and church are reinforced in the Christian school classrooms. The Christian values taught in the Christian home and reinforced in the Christian school enable your child to deal with a troubled world without succumbing to its troubles, another reason you send your child to a Christian school. (Charles Walker aacs.org 2012).

Pros

A Christian Education 3 Most Christian schools are small in size compared to those of traditional college classrooms. The reduced amount of students allows for better attention from the school’s faculty and administration. A Christian University usually provides a better more comfortable environment for Christian students. A non-Christian campus can be quite a bit overwhelming when entering the freshmen term. A final benefit of Christian higher education is perhaps the most significant. The quality of a Christian college experience is higher than any other (www.collegeview.com 2012) I believe that a true Christian college has academics that teach that the Bible is the only inspired written word. Classes are taught from a biblical view. This is the reason that in most Christian colleges a certain number of Bible courses are required in any degree program offered. Listed below are some advantages that come with attending Christian College or school for education. I agree that there may be more positive peer influences in a Christian University. Though student in Christian schools are not without flaws, more than likely their influence will be more positive than students would find in a public school. Christian school is also a great place for a person to make positive new friends. (www.families.com)
Cons
Although the pros to attending a Christian college are good, as is with mostly anything, there are some cons to a Christian school. Christian Schools are not funded by the government which allows them to hire their own teachers whether they are licensed or not as and this of course can be a disadvantage as these teachers are not tested by government courses. Although A Christian Education 4 this seems like a big con, Christian schools on average still maintain high test scores, which actually mean they are most likely being taught proficiently. These teachers are usually hired because of their knowledge of the Bible.( Trina S Richards 2012 ezine.com) Christian Schools do not suggest that it welcomes students from other religions. Some Christian schools, on the other hand, make belonging to the faith community a prerequisite for admission. (Mary Elizabeth 2009 education bug.org). This is a form of segregation from the outside world whereas traditional learning institutions accept all religions. This makes the college a less diverse place to learn as it relates to religion. According to Tina S Richards, “It limits their social interaction with different types of people.” Christian schools have set curriculum that usually limits exposure to some popular scientific methods including evolution that is denied by most of the Christian community according to the knowledge from the Bible. Lack of exposure to these methods is not recommended as it denies the right for students to learn about conflicting ideas and eventually make their own choices in life and faith. (Trena S Richards 2012) In conclusion, I believe that there are pros and cons to any valuable choice that we make in life. This could be buying a new car as opposed to buying a used car, or even buying a home as opposed to renting an apartment. There are benefits and cons which are usually considered. In my opinion, the value of any education is determined by the individual and what his/her goals are. A Christian college can help teach a person think past selfish reason for gaining worldly things but learning how to be better people in society as well. Regular state colleges or universities may focus more on teaching a specific knowledge or skill whereas, A Christian A Christian Education 5 college helps teach a person to broaden the mind, heart and spirit. Christian college is the best place to learn how to think critically, grow spiritually and change the world.

References www.collegeview.com 2012 Mary Elizabeth 2009 education bug.org Trina S Richards 2012 ezine.com www.families.com Charles Walker aacs.org 2012

References: www.collegeview.com 2012 Mary Elizabeth 2009 education bug.org Trina S Richards 2012 ezine.com www.families.com Charles Walker aacs.org 2012