As caring parents, we want our children to have the best educational experience possible. And the best experience available, say Christian educators, is one that will nurture our sons and daughters both intellectually and spiritually. With this in mind, we asked six leaders in Christian education to discuss the distinctive qualities and benefits of a Christ-centered learning environment.

What is distinct about a Christian education?

Dr. Parrott: We aren't here to simply offer a campus environment that reflects a Christ-honoring lifestyle. As important as that is, our main purpose is to teach every discipline from a foundation of faith and truth. We want students to understand how God's truth fits into every aspect of life.

Rev. Bridges: A Christian college builds its academic programs around the belief that the Bible is the only inspired and infallible written Word of God and should be the absolute standard of truth for every person. For this reason, classes are taught from a biblical perspective. A certain number of Bible courses may also be required for each degree as well.

Dr. Martin: We want to provide education at the highest level, and do so in a Christian environment. We strive to incorporate Christian principles in both curricular and co-curricular activities. A Christian education emphasizes building the whole person—physical, rational, social and spiritual.

Mr. Johnson: Unlike a standard secular education, academic freedom is not completely open-ended in Christian education. Christian education places academic freedom within the bounds of biblical revelation and the lordship of Christ.

Dr. Teague: There are so many "voices" in secular culture. Each of these voices wants to grab your attention and feed you a message. A Christian education seeks to help students discern God's voice amid all these secular voices. We want to help students hear God clearly amid all the clamor around them.

Why is a Christian education valuable?

Dr. Beebe: Our professors have committed their lives to teaching and shaping minds as well as character. One of the main differences between a Christian-based education and a secular education, as I experienced it personally, was the motivation for the faculty. In secular institutions, the primary focus often seems to be one of self-interest. In general that is not what I find at a Christian school.

Dr. Teague: The decade between 16 and 26 is a critical one. In this time span, your child will make decisions that will shape their next 50 years. This includes career options, courtship, friendships and the convictions that will guide them through life. Having mature Christian teachers and mentors to strengthen and encourage them during those years is critical.

Some parents worry that a Christian education won't prepare their child for the real world. What would you like to say to these concerned parents?

Dr. Martin: Actually, the opposite is true. A Christian education prepares students to meet the challenges of a complex world. Being broadly educated under highly trained mentors who teach students to reason, analyze and think deeply gives our graduates an important advantage in a changing world. All of our majors have opportunities for internships and other experiences that take them into the broader society.

Rev. Bridges: Today's secular culture is not built upon absolute truths, but we believe it's paramount to teach the biblical truths that will enable a person to make godly and wise decisions throughout their lifetime. Personally, I want to provide my two sons every opportunity within my power to help them receive wise counsel, and sound teaching. I also want to see them develop godly relationships during their formative college years.

Mr. Johnson: A Christian education is the best kind of education to prepare students for the real world. The ability to think critically and biblically about all topics is increasingly needed as our culture becomes more secular and more pluralistic.

What exactly is a Christian liberal arts education? What are its distinct qualities?

Dr. Martin: A Christian liberal arts education develops intellectual abilities and academic skills, helps students investigate connections and integration among various learning experiences. It shows students how to explore values, faiths and worldviews, and teaches them how to live responsibly in a complex world.

Dr. Beebe: A Christian liberal arts education teaches a student the most accurate view of human nature. Our curriculum is founded on the principles of the seven liberal arts: grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy.

Generally speaking, we want students to gain mastery of a variety of subjects. In doing so, they will be able to apply what they've learned and make good decisions in all areas of life—long after their college experience ends.

Are there any limitations of a Christian liberal arts education?

Dr. Martin: As with any school, students must select a college that has a course of study of interest to them. There may be some majors that certain Christian colleges don't have. However, most specialized fields of study like to have a person broadly educated in a liberal arts college before continuing study in a graduate program.

Dr. Parrott: The only real limitation is that we don't offer the most specialized majors. I believe that Christian students need us for undergraduate education, and then if they want the unique specialties, they can have that focus in graduate programs. Our students never have trouble being accepted into the most competitive graduate and professional schools.

What is distinct about the Bible college experience?

Mr. Johnson: In addition to a healthy amount of general studies that one would receive at a liberal arts college, a Bible college education emphasizes a curriculum that ensures a working knowledge of Scripture and Christian doctrine. It also will promote a campus community that will prepare students for a lifetime of ministry, as well as a lifestyle of cultural engagement from a Christian perspective.

Dr. Teague: Bible colleges seek to prepare men and women to think and act biblically in every phase of life. Bible college students should be prepared to get involved in some sort of practical ministry to prepare them to serve God in their churches and society. Bible colleges hold students accountable to biblical standards of behavior at a time when culture resists biblical absolutes.

Rev. Bridges: We believe strongly in the concept of everyone being a minister of the gospel of Christ, whether you are a pastoral, psychology, education or business major. It's important that students be able to adjust into society when they leave here—politically, culturally and spiritually. Our goal is to provide a well-rounded education focusing not just on the academics and professional development, but also on the student's spiritual, social and physical development.

Do Bible colleges have any limitations?

Rev. Bridges: Some Bible colleges are limited in the variety of degrees that they offer, meaning that there are fewer choices for a young person who wants to study a more specialized field like law or politics in a Christian environment. However, there are now more options than have ever been available before as institutions are seeing the need for a Bible-based education for every vocation.

If someone goes to a Bible college, are they restricting themselves to a vocation in some sort of Christian ministry?

Mr. Johnson: No, there are many examples of Bible college graduates who go on to secular employment or further academic work on the graduate level. Actually, the Christian worldview gained at a Bible college prepares students to live, work and think like Christians in an increasingly secular and pluralistic society, no matter what their profession.

Rev. Bridges: Although there are some Bible colleges that exclusively offer Christian ministry degrees, there are those that offer many more options. For example, we now offer over 45 programs of study, ranging from psychology to business to pastoral ministry.

I can see the importance of Christian education in building my student's character. But from an academic standpoint, will my child get as good of an education at a Christian college and Bible college as they would at a state school?

Dr. Martin: Our graduates rank very well against graduates of state universities. Our students study with full professors in their formative courses rather than teaching assistants.

Mr. Johnson: Actually, the academic standard at our college is higher than many state colleges and universities. Also, we require every student to take two semesters of Great Books, in which they read and critique the secular and sacred classics of the Western tradition. This practice used to be the norm at every major university, but has been abandoned in recent times.

Many parents simply feel they can't afford a Christian education. What would you like to say to these parents?

Dr. Beebe: It's just not true. I'd really encourage concerned parents to do some comparison shopping. Compare the debt load of students coming out of state schools and you'll find that it's not that much lower than our students. We encourage parents to take a real hard look. It's really much more affordable than most think.

Mr. Johnson: If they are committed to the value of a Christian education, there is a way. Many Christian schools have below-normal tuition rates, others have good scholarship opportunities, and most importantly, God is able to provide a way.

Let's say my children aren't convinced that they need a Christian education. What can I say or do that will help them seriously explore this option?

Dr. Martin: Before a final decision is made, they should visit both kinds of colleges. They should make a campus visit especially geared toward staying overnight in the residence halls, viewing the attitudes of students, gauging their ability to study in the residence halls, and evaluating campus influence in terms of lifestyle choices. I'd say don't make any choice until you check out both options.

Tell me a Christian education success story.

Dr. Martin: Recently I was with three doctors who have all graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College within the last 15 years. All of them found, when they got to medical school, that they were so well prepared by their experience at Roberts that they were near the top of their medical school classes. Each of these students went to a different large university medical school.

Dr. Beebe: One example is a former undergrad who is now a lawyer at one of the largest firms in Cleveland. He was a biology major at Spring Arbor. He said a lot of times the law firms like to hire students outside of the traditional pre-law major because they have a more well-rounded education. He said studying religion, philosophy and the varied curriculum gave him the background needed to succeed in law school and later in his profession.

Rev. Bridges: You can find our alumni excelling in many different fields, including government and politics, such as State Representative Gary Elkins of Texas, and State Representative Horace Hardwick of Arkansas. Alumni such as Rep. Elkins and Rep. Hardwick are contributing significantly to the legislative process and public policy in their states. We're proud of so many others like them who are making a difference all around the world.

Dr. Parrott: We have lots of alumni who hold important positions—CEOs, doctors, mayors, church leaders, artists. But my best measure of "making it" is when an alum comes back for their 50-year reunion, and they can be proud that they used the gifts God has given to them to enrich their corner of the world, and they served Christ with courage, built a happy family, and kept their priorities balanced.

Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
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