Write2Ignite

A question I have been asked a lot lately is, “How can you be a Christian at a secular college?”

This topic has come up in many conversations when I mention that I am a student at Presbyterian College (PC). Every time someone asks me that question, I am unsure of how to respond.

When I applied to college, I did not consider whether the colleges were secular or Christian. Instead, I focused on what degrees they offered and what education would be best for me. As I mentioned in a post two years ago, my college application process was very rushed, and I chose what I thought was the best fit. I’ve never regretted my decision, and I’ve always felt that God placed me exactly where He wanted me to be.

My Experience

What I like about PC is that no one tries to force you to accept his or her beliefs. Some of my courses have presented topics such as evolution and theories that the Bible was entirely fabricated by men. However, no one has said that I must believe these ideas or even that they believe them: they simply present them as alternative points of view. I’ve never been tested on these or had to support anything that I disagreed with. Professors encourage students to form their own views and to be different; one of PC’s mottos is, “In a world of solids, be the plaid.” As a result, no one has challenged my beliefs.

In fact, most of my professors have encouraged rather than discouraged a Christian worldview; some even include Bible verses on their assignments. To put it in math terms (after all, I am a math major), approximately 42% of my professors have encouraged a Christian worldview, 21% profess to have opposing views, and 37% have not stated one way or the other. (I calculated these percentages based on the impressions I have received from my professors.) In addition, I have made several friends who are likeminded in their beliefs, and this has been an encouragement to me.

On the other hand, I’ve realized that this welcoming environment has made me hesitant to discuss my own beliefs. If they do not try to sway me to accept their beliefs, is it fair for me to suggest that they should believe mine? This is a topic that was especially on my mind last semester. I met more like-minded people than I have during my three years at PC and at the same time encountered a few situations that I didn’t know how to respond to, like being invited to participate in activities that conflict with my beliefs. Indeed, one of the benefits of being a Christian in a secular college is the opportunity to share the gospel with others, but it’s easy to forget this in an accepting environment. I’d been floating through my college experience without really thinking about any of these ideas until these situations grabbed my attention. At this point, I was beginning to feel very discouraged. None of my peers seemed to be impacted by my beliefs or how I acted. Was I not doing enough? How could I change to reflect my beliefs more clearly? Finally, towards the end of the semester, several of my peers remarked how they noticed that I was different. This was an encouragement and a further affirmation that I was where God wanted me to be.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

In reflecting on these ideas, I am reminded of how blessed I am not to have experienced persecution for my faith. Again, my college application process was so rushed that this was something I didn’t think about until the first few weeks of classes. Now, I wonder if the circumstances had been different, if I had more time, would I have chosen PC at all? I think that I would have, but I would have given these ideas some more thought. If a professor did require an assignment that conflicted with my beliefs, what would I do? I feel that I don’t know how I will respond until I face that situation.

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10

These questions continued to be on my mind as I progressed through my last fall semester at PC and as I worked on a creative writing major project for my minor. As writers, I think that these ideas are especially important. How much faith should shine through our work? If it’s too subtle, will others see it? If it’s too overt, will they be turned away? I’m still trying to figure out the right balance.

My Takeaway

So how can you be a Christian in a secular environment? Be who you are: don’t change to match your environment. Eventually, someone will notice that your faith makes you different and hopefully ask what your beliefs are. Even if no one does, your interactions can still make a difference. Maybe some students or coworkers are struggling with adhering to their faith in a secular environment, and interacting with you gives them the encouragement they need to continue. At the same time, be where God wants you to be. If you limit yourself to saying, “I have to work (or go to school) in a Christian environment,” you may miss what God has for you. When God is talking to you, listen to Him, and not to what others are saying.

“Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” Ephesians 5:7-8

If any of you are struggling with adhering to and/or promoting your faith in a secular environment, I hope you find this an encouragement to stay the course and to listen to what God is telling you. If you have any suggestions on how to strengthen your faith and/or witness to others, please leave them in the comments below! I would love to hear your thoughts.