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Featured Is Christian College a good idea for your kids?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Calminian, Aug 2, 2018.

  1. Calminian

    Calminian Well-Known Member
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    I recently learned about a course offered at Wheaton College. Their Theories of Origins class is apparently popular and yielding some amazing results (from their perspective). A review, Evolving Thoughts on Origins, was written up the the school newspaper. There's also a description of the class in The American Scientific Affiliation, written by the course authors. Theories of Origins: A Multi- and Interdisciplinary Course for Undergraduates at Wheaton College.

    Per the school paper,

    Many Wheaton students change their views on origins and the age of the earth after studying at Wheaton. The Record looked into the Theories of Origins class and differing views on origins at Wheaton.​

    They go on to report what changes are taking place, and who exactly is changing.

    Started in 1996 by an interdisciplinary team of professors, this team-taught science credit presents scientific evidence for evolution, an old earth and the possibility of an archetypal Adam and Eve. They also present theological interpretation that allows room for these views. According to data from surveys and interpreted responses from students exiting the class, a general trend shows that a large number of young earth creationists enter the class and very few students leave believing in young earth creationism.​

    The goal of the course, ostensibly, is to open up avenues for Christian kids who struggle to reconcile their Bible's with popular modern theories of origins. In particular, it helps them get over the idea of Adam and Eve as literal progenitors of the entire human race.

    And that brings me to my question. Are Christian Colleges today a good idea?

    I can't help but wonder if a secular college, even one antagonistic toward Christianity, might be safer. At least the kids know, going in, they are not among friends to the faith.

    Not so at a Christian college like Wheaton. These are supposed to be shepherds protecting the flock. Their professors are trusted, immediately. Yet some of them are going so far as to promote heresy. A strong word, but denying the historicity of Adam is damaging to Christianity, particularly to Christology. It has to be considered heresy. I don't see any way around it.

    BTW, I'm not condemning all Christians colleges. There about about 40 nationwide who honor the book of Genesis and Adam and Eve. You can view them here on a list AiG compiled.

    But that's 40 our of how many? Scary.

    Thoughts?
     
  2. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    Yes, education at Conservative Christian institutions is beneficial. Wheaton, I would run from.
     
  3. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Sounds like they are throwing awau the Bibler, and plan to just use science texts for origins and life!
     
  4. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    You’re reading AIG articles again aren’t you? They’ll rile up you Young Earthers.
    They don’t like how effective Dr John H Walton has been at Wheaton.
    Probably should put Moody Bible College on the banned list too, he taught there for 20 years.

    Rob
     
  5. Calminian

    Calminian Well-Known Member
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    Nope. Wrong again. Do ever tire of it?

    Del Tackett has brought some well deserved attention to Wheaton with the help of some Wheaton students are are standing up for the truth.

    How did Theistic Evolution Bring 3 Wheaton College Students to the Ark?

    The Gnostic World of John Walton
     
  6. Calminian

    Calminian Well-Known Member
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    You say conservative christian as if they go hand in hand. You be shocked at the liberalism that prevails in some Christian colleges.
     
  7. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Too bad, as his teaching on genesis and the scriptures is not worth 2 cents, much less what was being charged!
     
  8. Calminian

    Calminian Well-Known Member
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    Indeed. I don't like how effective he's been at prying kids away from biblical authority.
     
  9. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    No one who reads those 2 links will come away with anything other than the good Dr is pretty much watering down the OT to being a myth story trying to teach us some spiritual truths!
     
  10. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    He appeals to those who are being raised up and taught that the Bible has holes in it, that we msut be able to accept that it is flawed , but still can be used as long as we get iot to the critical view of what it represents! Just seems like rehashed limited inspiration from decades ago!
     
  11. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    No. I mean A Christian College with Conservativedoctrine. Most "Christian" colleges are liberal.
     
  12. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    Better yet don’t go to college, stay uneducated....
    don’t expose yourself to new thoughts and ideas
    label things you don’t understand “heresy”
    ...it’s so much safer :Rolleyes
    Rob
     
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  13. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
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    In my opinion it is better to attend a secular liberal arts college then get your theological training in a good seminary. Doing so tends to avoid the "tunnel vision" that many who have such insular educations often develop. :)
     
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  14. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    Children of college age are not really kids, they are young adults capable of making their own decisions. This is a decision that needs to be discussed as a family.

    It was quite awhile ago but I chose a small Christian college.

    I was a new Christian, only three years earlier I became a believer.
    I was excited to attend a Christian college and learn about my new faith.
    I tested out of the New and Old Testament Survey courses and was able to start with doctrine (I read a lot of books even then).
    The science courses there (and even a science and theology course) opened up the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills in conjuntion with a theology education.

    I didn’t graduate there. I moved on to a more local secular university with specialized courses in the physical sciences.
    But I developed long-lasting relationships (including my wife) and a strong sound education in a living Christian faith.

    Rob
     
  15. Calminian

    Calminian Well-Known Member
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    It's those "critical thinking skills" that are in question. Exactly what are these skills you're claiming?
     
  16. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Nope, go ato a Christian seminary, but go to one that still holds to full inspiration of the bible, sees evolution as being fake science, and holds to real christianity!
     
  17. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Were youy able to thinkcritical and reject Evolution as being junk science?
     
  18. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Probably the ones that would se error in scriptures, not accepting historical trustworthy, trying to blend Bible/evolution, you know, those kind ofthings!
     
  19. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    "Critical" doesn't mean BAD - it isn't anti-biblical thinking.
    And some people are disparagingly lacking such skills. :confused:

    Here's the first definition to pop up when I searched

    Critical Thinking [LINK]
    Critical thinking is a term used by educators to describe forms of learning, thought, and analysis that go beyond the memorization and recall of information and facts. In common usage, critical thinking is an umbrella term that may be applied to many different forms of learning acquisition or to a wide variety of thought processes. In its most basic expression, critical thinking occurs when students are analyzing, evaluating, interpreting, or synthesizing information and applying creative thought to form an argument, solve a problem, or reach a conclusion.

    Critical thinking entails many kinds of intellectual skills, including the following representative examples:
    • Developing well-reasoned, persuasive arguments and evaluating and responding to counterarguments
    • Examining concepts or situations from multiple perspectives, including different cultural perspectives
    • Questioning evidence and assumptions to reach novel conclusions
    • Devising imaginative ways to solve problems, especially unfamiliar or complex problems
    • Formulating and articulating thoughtful, penetrating questions
    • Identifying themes or patterns and making abstract connections across subjects
    Rob
     
    #19 Deacon, Aug 4, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2018
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  20. Calminian

    Calminian Well-Known Member
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    It's actually good to think critically. I'm wondering where you're applying these skills. So far you just seem to choose popular modern theories over the Bible. Whatever the flavor of the day, you accept it. How is that thinking critically?
     
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