Fearless Christianity on a College Campus – Is It Possible?
Take heart friends; it is very possible.
Fearless Christianity is still alive, even in public universities.
The fact is, there are many courageous students willing to stand up for their faith in Christ. You probably won’t hear about them, but they are there.
I believe they deserve a lot of support. It’s not always easy for them. Sometimes they’re faced with ridicule from a non-believing friend and sometimes the taunting and intimidation takes place in a classroom in front of an atheistic professor.
A Question for Christian Parents
If they’re asked, will your college students respectfully defend their faith or, will they deny God’s existence just to take the pressure off?
David Kupelian’s bestseller, The Marketing of Evil, is a great book to add to your library. It provides numerous citations that prove the disturbing anti-God agenda that is infecting college campuses and society as a whole. No doubt, it’s getting more difficult for students to express their faith in a university setting. Anti-God school administrations and professors have permeated academia. Sometimes the assault against a student’s freedom and protection can reach disturbing levels as outlined in this Alliance Defending Freedom article. Keep reading to the end of the story and you’ll see what I mean.
Be Prepared
The liberal coercion is only going to get worse. We shouldn’t be surprised. The Bible teaches us to expect attacks on our faith.
Have you prepared your college-bound students for these challenges? Along with dorm arrangements, clothing, and college spending money, have you taught them how to respond to an angry atheist, maybe even an authority figure, who is badgering them for their faith in God? Sadly, many churches have failed their congregations by ignoring the headlines of Christian persecution in America.
Parents, it’s most likely up to you. It’s time churches (and you) start getting prepared. The day before college orientation is a little too late. The front line of spiritual warfare includes our nation’s schools and universities – right there in the heart of free-thinking, godless humanism. I’m just not ready to believe that the battle for the hearts and minds of our nation’s youth is over yet.
How can young adults respond to attacks?
If a student is facing a nonviolent verbal attack, they should always respond with honor, faith, kindness, respect, compassion for the lost, and the historical facts that prove the Word of God. If, however, someone physically harasses them – spitting, pushing, or otherwise, they should leave the area as quickly as possible and report it to the proper authorities. Their written report of the incident may become valuable later on.
The Study of Bible Prophesy is Very Rewarding
I’ve been studying Christian Apologetics for years now, and there’s still much we can all learn. Even so, the study of the Bible is the most rewarding, fulfilling, and life-confirming homework I’ve ever done in my life. It’s confounding to me how people won’t accept that what’s happening in much of our world (the growing deception) is prophesied right there in the pages of the Bible.
Is there good news? A resounding “Yes!” The good news (and what I take great comfort in) is that we know how it all ends. Believers in the saving grace of Jesus Christ will spend eternity with Him in heaven and on the new earth. Our human minds can’t even imagine the loveliness of the eternal home that Christ is preparing for us. (John 14:23-25.)
Where can you go to learn more about standing up for your faith?
For starters, there’s one helpful online resource called Stand To Reason. Several excellent Christian scholars on the site have written informative articles and created constructive podcasts to help equip your family members to defend their faith. If you click on the menu at the top of the website where it says “Explore,” you’ll be taken to a page where you can choose various topics such as Apologetics and Bio-ethics. A second helpful resource is The Poached Egg. You can look up “categories” of topics on the right-hand page of the website.
Prayer is First and Foremost
We need prayer to cover every aspect of our lives – from voting for America’s political leaders (that means a “No” to socialist candidates), to protecting our homes, and picking the right schools for our kids.
Spiritual revivals have happened in this country before, and they can happen again.
I’m holding out hope, but God’s will be done.
Should you only consider sending your child to a Christian college?
That’s certainly an option. There are excellent Christian universities for parents to choose from. Point Loma University in San Diego and Liberty University in Virginia are a couple off the top of my head. You can also search “Christian universities” on the internet and come up with a list. But, what if parents don’t have the option to send their high school graduate to a Christian college? There is reason for concern, but all is not lost.
I wanted to dig deeper. So, I reached out to a college friend of mine. Cassius is a 23-year-old junior at a public university. I wanted to find out how he keeps the faith while facing the immense pressures of college life. His answers may surprise you. I know I was encouraged to hear them.
Cassius – Do you feel that Christian students need to specifically attend a Christian college?
In my opinion, it depends on the individual. I would encourage young adult Christians to consider going to a secular university, so he/she can help make a bigger impact in the school; considering where America is heading. I was offered the opportunity to go to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, but I turned it down because I wanted to make the most impact wherever the Lord called me to.
Since I started at a secular university, Jesus has used me to start prayer meetings, Bible studies, and teachings on discipleship. I have boldly shared my faith and I was even given the chance to talk in class about Christian topics that are not usually talked about. I believe that I wouldn’t have had such an impact if I was going to a Christian school. Lastly, a young Christian can look for ways to get plugged in at public universities in Christian ministries such as BSM or Paradigm.
Cassius makes a great point there.
Why not encourage your college freshman to get involved in a Christian ministry from the get-go and he or she will have immediate support from fellow Christians on campus.
Staunch support from home can also make a world of difference. If students run into a concerning attack on their faith, they need to have point persons they can call – their parents, a pastor or youth pastor from home, or from a Bible-believing church near their school.
The Peer Pressure in College Can Be Overwhelming at Times
Out of control parties and drinking, the lack of a curfew, the list goes on. With unrestricted freedom, comes a lot of temptations.
Cassius – What are some of the big challenges you face as a young college student?
Some of the challenges I face at a secular university is that often I get made fun of for my Christian beliefs. Beliefs such as waiting to have sex until marriage, abstaining from looking lustfully at a woman, and loving my neighbor as myself. Peer pressure is at its highest throughout the college years. Those are the times a Christian needs to cling to the Cross the most. I overcome these issues by surrounding myself with my brothers in Christ who hold me accountable. I read the Bible and try to seek the Kingdom first in all that I do. I turn away from pornography and/or the pressures of being in a relationship by keeping busy with school and the ministry that God has called me to.
Do you feel a lot of pressure to deny your faith or values?
One of the pressures I face is to know when to withdraw from my non-Christian friends and when to stay and encourage. For example, I have a friend who uses vulgar language. I often think about how I can encourage him by the way that I live so it will make him question his unbelief in the God I love and worship.
What About The Future of Fearless Christianity?
Are you worried about the future of our country or do you see a chance for a spiritual revival in America?
As a Christian, I do see our country drifting further and further away from God each day. It worries me, because eventually I’ll have to raise my kids in a wicked society that says everything that’s right is wrong and vice versa.
Am I scared of the future? No. I believe this is the time for the church to rise and fight like never before. But, before Christians can do that, we must fall on our knees. A revival starts with the person wanting to start it first. I can pray all I want, but if it’s not backed up by actions, than it’s dead. The Bible says that faith without works is dead. Also, we’re called as Christians to make disciples all across the world, why not start down the street?
Cassius – Do Christians speak up enough?
I’ve noticed there are a lot of people willing to serve and share the love of Christ. That is amazing. However, the younger generation is not entirely the problem. If you look at the Church as a whole most Christians do not or have not shared their faith. If Christians will live boldly for Christ, an opportunity will present itself, perhaps an unbeliever questioning why Christians work so hard. Then, in that moment, the believer can share the gospel and tell the unbeliever about Jesus.
Is there any particular Christian ministry that excites you and why?
There’s a Christian organization on campus called “Phos”. Phos is greek for “light.” Jesus says that we [Christians] are the light of the world. Being involved in this organization gets me pumped because our main purpose is to teach new and old believers how to study the Bible through observation, interpretation, and application. We challenge those who show up to go and share what they’ve been taught. One of the main things I love about Phos is that we don’t care about the numbers. Our mission is “one soul at a time,” meaning sharing the gospel until there’s no place left. Phos is all about fellowship and studying the Bible, so that all who attend may have a better understanding of who Jesus is.
When talking with people, younger than yourself, how can you encourage them to live for Christ, even under the threat of persecution or nasty comments from others?
I would just encourage younger Christians to get involved in a local church, get plugged into a community group, and constantly meditate on God’s word day and night.
Thank you Cassius!
I found his answers very encouraging, didn’t you?
I also thank God for the Christian ministries that are still on public college campuses. Their mission isn’t easy in a sometimes hostile environment, but the Bible tells us we must persevere and withstand every test.
Friends, keep looking up!
