The Riches OF GRACE
“hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11
Robert W. Reed
June 2006
College
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
Colossians 2:8
+ Higher Education +
This article will discuss the issue of higher education, that is, education that extends beyond the home. Many questions are asked in reference to college; “Do I need a college education? Where do I go and what subjects do I enroll in?” Much emphasis is placed upon a college degree in this day in which we live. Our society has created an obsession with credentials. Many are being educated through these institutions; they are being brainwashed. These colleges are leading people away from the teachings of God’s Holy Word and His way of life.
“I am much afraid that the universities will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labour in explaining the Holy Scriptures and engraving them in the heart of the youth.”
- Martin Luther, the Reformer
In way of introduction, I would like to make a few qualifying statements about college. Even though there are many intelligent, good, and godly people who have been to college, this still does not in any way justify these institutions. Most colleges are in violation of God’s Holy Word.
According to Colossians 2:3, Christ is the reservoir of all knowledge, “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” In verse 6, we are told to walk in Christ and in verse 7, we are to be rooted and built-up in Him and established in the faith. The purpose for this truth is that we are not to be spoiled through the philosophy and vain deceit of men in verse 8. The verse begins with a warning (beware) and the word spoil means to “rob, carry away, take captive, or to enslave.” The word philosophy means “a love of wisdom.” Throughout the history of mankind there has been a fascination with wisdom. Philosophers build their teaching upon another philosopher and not the Word of God. In our text, the source of philosophy is the “tradition of men.” It has no authority other than human authority. The real test of all things is clearly stated in verse 8, if it is not after Christ, then it is not of God. Whether it is an institution, ministry, or movement, it must be according to the Scripture to be pleasing to God. In John 14:6, the Lord Jesus said He was the way, the truth, and the life and anything that leads us from Him is wrong.
We must learn to think in a Biblical way in order to know God’s will, Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Scripture tells us in II Peter 1:4-6 that we are to add to our faith. We start our Christian life in Christ by faith, then we add virtue, and after that we add knowledge, etc. We need understanding, for in Proverbs 1:7, God says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” I am aware that Christians have started many colleges and universities in America and they have somewhat of a Biblical foundation, but it is a no-brainer as to where they stand today. Besides, in Scripture, there is no trace of schools and colleges for public instruction in ancient Israel. Jewish education was not separated from religious life because it was centered in the home (Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 6:9; 11:20; 31:10-13). The modern formal educational system is foreign to the Bible. Education is not neutral, but is religious in nature. Jesus himself chose not to start a college when He came to this earth and yet He trained twelve men who turned the world upside down. God has not ordained the universities and colleges whether they are secular or Christian in name. Please go to the Bible for principle and practice and not to Egypt or the world.
College is one of the most dangerous places in the world. After four years of brainwashing, the individual is robbed of virtue and godly character. The cultural environment in these places is far different from the Lord’s ways. The word culture is simply “religion externalized,” which is the outworking of the faith of a people. These universities are not only a bad influence, but also influence the whole of our society through their teachings.
When a young person enters college, whether secular or Christian, the following should be considered: the philosophy (doctrine), peers (mixed multitude), distance from home, the expense, etc. The average cost of a four-year college education in our present day is about one hundred thousand dollars. Also, what about the issue of standards, safety, and the mixing of males and females? This does not even include the influence of drugs and alcohol or the issue of immorality. Seventy-five percent of evangelical young people lose their virginity within six months of entering college. The music is also another concern. The average young person spends four years away from home in limbo, not working a job, and is not under the authority and direction of his parents. In order to graduate and make them a well-rounded person, politically correct, and a global citizen, the students are required to sit under hours of teaching they do not need. They no longer are able to think Biblically, but think like the world. This is exactly what Satan wants.
In Jeremiah 10:2, we are told, “Learn not the way of the heathen”; I John 2:15, “Love not the world”, I Corinthians 15:33, “Evil communication corrupt good manners”; I Thessalonians 5:2, “Abstain from all appearances of evil”, and Luke 15:15, “That which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” The colleges have done their job well and have destroyed the minds of many good people.
Another danger of college is that men and women receive the same training, which is totally contrary to God’s Holy Word. In Scripture, sons and daughters have different roles and these roles are not to be confused. Sons are to be trained to be leaders and providers. In I Timothy 5:8, if he is not a provider of his home, he is considered worse than an infidel, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” A young man shows his readiness for marriage by leaving (Genesis 2:24) his parents, establishing his independence and making a home for his future bride. The opposite is true for the young lady. She is to remain under her father’s authority until she is given in marriage. She demonstrates her readiness for marriage by serving in the home and being a helpmeet to her father. Titus 2:4 describes her role is the home, “That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,” If she is rebellious against this role, she is called a blasphemer. Blasphemy (Titus 2:5) and infidelity (I Timothy 5:8) are serious sins if we fail in our roles as men and women. Colleges are not in the business of training men and women in their proper role given to them by God. Most women know nothing about the home today. They cannot clean properly, cook, sew, care for children, etc.
In Proverbs 31:10-28, the Bible describes the marks of a virtuous woman. Her virtue is connected with her husband, family, and home. She is not only to accept this role, but pursue it, practice it, cultivate it, invest time into it, and love it. Society has conspired against women and robbed them of these godly truths. Where your treasure is there will your heart be (Matthew 6:21). In other words, where you invest your time your heart will be. Is your time invested as a homemaker or in a career? The virtuous woman is rare, priceless, and precious.
The Answer to College
Should we abandon home education after a child reaches eighteen years old? There are many options available to those who want to continue their education. Just as the mother trains the daughter in home making, every father should give his sons the vocation they possess. This is Scriptural and God’s way. Many a son has followed his father’s footsteps and thereby has the same profession. Another option is apprenticeship, working with someone who knows a vocation. A third option is correspondence courses. There is a lot of material available in our society for any vocation you would want to pursue. An old Hebrew saying is, “Not to teach a boy a trade is to make a thief out of him.” If we will trust the Lord in these areas (Proverbs 3:5-7) and learn to think Biblical (Romans 12:2), the God of Heaven will honor the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). Amen.
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31
Victory Baptist Church
Pastor Robert W. Reed
14473 Bellingrath Road
P.O. Box 257
Coden, Alabama 36523
(251) 873-4422