Customer Reviews

How to Stay Christian in College (Th1nk Edition)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

After discovering this book, we decided to base our Campus Ministry class material off of it for one semester. The powerful outright truths that J writes is great. What's even greater is the plain language, and undisputable methods he uses. I also recommend his other book, Ask Me Anything. This book is very useful for not only college students, their parents, future parents, friends, ministers, professors, mentors and any other interested parties.

Worried about little Johnny or Suzie going off to college and walking away from their faith - you should be! Some studies show that as many as 70% of professing Christian teens walk away from their faith during college. How can you prepare your teen for the challenges that lie ahead - learn from a man who did walk away from his faith in college and returned with a vengeance years later. J. Budziszewski is a professor at one of the most liberal universities in the country - the University of Texas at Austin - not a place for the faint at heart. During his tenure as a professor, Budziszewski has seen Christian students come and go - many falling prey to the antagonistic worldview that challenges their faith, others falling prey to the liberties of college life and the various distractions and temptations like sex and alcohol.

How to Stay Christian in College is a must read for every high school student as part of their preparation of the challenges that lie ahead on the college campus. If you need a graduation gift for your senior, this has to be part of that college survival kit. If a potential college student won't make the time to read this, the handwriting is on the wall and it's not good!

I have two versions of this outstanding book - you can still find and order the older version, but the newer version is published by TH1NK Books, an imprint of NavPress and should cost about $10.00. It's not too long (178 pages) and not too difficult to read for its intended audience. Buy this in conjunction with another Budziszewski book Ask Me Anything: Provocative Answers for College Students and your college student is ready for anything even UT can throw at them!

I found this book a useful summary of what freshmen might face in college. I have given (1st edition) copies to graduating high school seniors for a few years. Their feedback has told me that the inconsistant thinking described in the book is alive and well.

This book is great for people of all ages. Although the college campus is one of the main place christians feel under assualt it is not the only place. This book covers all the bases from dating to answering hard questions. It is informative and the lessons it teaches can be applied throughout your life. I would suggest this for book for people leaving home for the first time, people who are moving, people in hostile environments, people joining the army, people entering the work place, people not sure on how to witness, people that are dating, and the parents of all these people.

In How to Stay Christian in College, author J. Budziszewski offers information, advice, and ideas for students who want to hold on to their Christian faith during their college years.

The book is divided into four major sections:

*Introduction - Why is this book necessary? and How this book can help
*Worldviews - What God thinks of the world, what the world thinks of itself, and talking with non-Christian friends
*Campus Myths - Myths about the search for knowledge, love and sex, politics
*How to Cope - Coping in campus social life, campus religious life, and in the classroom

I liked this book a lot. The author candidly addresses many important points, while writing in short sections that are quick to read. He provides realistic and useful ways to respond to people whose views differ from our own--as well as reminders to respond respectfully and calmly. Section headers and highlighted keywords help the reader find specific parts, which makes this a solid go-to reference, as well.

(I received a copy of this book, at no cost to me, for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.)

Makes college look like an assault that you need to be protected from rather than an opportunity to learn and interact with people who see the world differently than you do:

"The modern university is profoundly alienated from God and hostile to Christian faith" (p. 28)
"...and from the moment students set foot on the contemporary campus, their Christian convictions and discipline are assaulted." (p. 15)
"Because you're going into war. I don't mean a war of bombs and bullets and ballistic missiles; I mean a much more fiery, deadly war of errors and sins and temptations -- of mind-bombs, soul-bullets, and spiritual powers at great heights." (p. 95)
"From every direction the Enemy will be whispering, 'Think this way too; yes, think this way too. This way is happiness. This way is joy. This way is knowing Who You Really Are.' Actually that way is pain, loneliness, and never really knowing anyone else." (p. 124)

Encourages a closed mind to ideas that differ from Budziszewski's:

"According to all of the other religions, stuff merely develops into similar stuff or perhaps remains unchanged...You see that they don't really have an idea of Creation, and that's why they can't really tell God apart from what He made. That's why they worship created things instead of the Creator Himself...The Bible calls this sin." (p. 37-38)
"Just remember to avoid any venture that corrupts you, compromises your Christian beliefs, or drags you down" (p. 134)

Creates condescending stereotypes of non-Christian students and teachers:

"Just as on Mars Hill, students and teachers sense that there's something missing in all their learning. But they still think themselves wiser than anyone else." (p.49)
"Naturalists like to think of themselves as brave defenders of clear reasoning against irrational supersition, but actually naturalism itself is the supersition." (p.52)
"There's plenty of evidence about the big things. Skeptics just don't want to look." (p.89)
"Another big reason you might break up is that you realize your friend isn't good for you. This is especially likely if he is not a Christian" (p. 127)



So I guess this book does it's job in teaching its readers how to stay Christian in college; By assuming that the brand of Christianity you were raised in is the only true and correct worldview to have, by surrounding yourself with people who think exactly like you, and by staying far away from all other ideas. Or, excuse me, all other "soul-bullets."

Judging by the previous reviews of this book it's pretty obvious that most Christians will enjoy it. However most non-Christians will probably find it condescending, insulting, unintentionally humerous, and difficult to finish. It points a lot of fingers at non-Christians, but fails to examine itself. Just take the phrase I quoted above and change one word: "There's plenty of evidence about big things. Christians just don't want to look." Now it makes a whole lot more sense to skeptics.

College is a place where diverse ideas come to meet. This book makes sure that you arrive with your blindfolds on, earplugs in, and guns-a-blazin'.

What a wonderful book! Budziszewski is clear, concise, and straight-to-the-point, even though he's addressing challenging worldview issues. From his experience and perspective as a professor, I appreciate his insight and response to the myths and oppositions posed in today's classroom.

As a high school teacher, I work with students who come primarily from Christian backgrounds. This book offers wisdom from a biblical foundation and challenges students to evaluate what they really believe before they ever step foot on campus. I've enjoyed this book so much that I've made it mandatory reading in my college-bound classes. I also recommend it in my own book, JumpStart Your Future.

I hate the title of this book.

I wouldn't have picked it if I hadn't already been familiar with the author, J. Budziszewski. Not only is he a good writer, he knows the college context well, as a professor of government and philosophy at University of Texas for the past 20+ years.

I hate the title because I hate the insinuation that college is a place that turns Christians into pagans, that those who are firm in their faith when they head off to college ought to be concerned about whether or not they can stay Christian. Ugh. What a low bar. Concern about how to continue to grow? Now that makes more sense. But I guess "How to Grow as a Christian in College" doesn't have the same ring as "How to Stay Christian in College."

The content, though, is the best I've seen as a gift book (well, if you can call it one; it's thicker than most gift books) for those nearing high school graduation. Actually, I think it would be good for younger high schoolers too. It's a primer to help students know what they believe, stand firm in what they believe, and prepare for challenges. Hitting on topics like worldviews and campus myths (many of which apply to most high schools as well) and coping strategies for change, Budziszewski doesn't dive as deep into each topic as a mature Christian might like but he does handle each well, albeit superficially at times.

I think this could be a good one for parents to consider reading with their sons and daughters as they enter high school or at some point during those four years.

(Disclaimer: NavPress provided a copy of this book for my review, but they didn't ask for anything other than my honest opinion.)

For parents who are sending their kids off to college, this book is a great read for you as well as your 'baby.' They need to be armed to combat the peer pressure and liberal atmosphere found on most campuses these days...and this book (in addition to lots of prayer) will be a big help.

I have enjoyed books by J. Budziszewki in the past so I was happy to discover this book in the Top 100 free Kindle books list. After reading this book I'm convinced that this is great for college students but will also benefit any Christian trying to survive in this troubled world. Your life will be changed by reading this book because it will draw you closer to God and make your commitment to Christ much stronger.

If you are a college student reading this book be prepared for every possible scenario. Budziszewski discusses everything from lifestyle conflicts and political issues to dating and postmodernism. He talks about the dangers and beauty of sexuality. He also discusses friendships with worldly people and how they can influence you in many ways. The goal is more to be the one who influences and to try to do the right thing even when confronted with many different opinions.

Even if you do end up going to a Christian college the information in this book is essential for when you talk to people after college. I went to a Christian college and didn't confront most of what is in this book until I started reviewing at amazon. Here I have met people with all sorts of ideas and I wish I'd read this book sooner! What I mostly deal with on a regular basis is people asking me to review books in which the belief that we are all God is prevalent. When I explain to authors that this is a New Age idea many of them don't even know that they are New Age. They just think this belief is normal or an enlightened way of thinking. As Budziszewski says: "Jesus never taught that everyone is God!"

So whether you are a college student or those days are long gone you may feel that your faith is under attack. This book gives you ideas for how you can be a better Christian who shows the love of God to everyone you meet. This is a book you should read more than once. There is a lot to digest and much that will change your life.

~The Rebecca Review