Faith in the classroom

I have a teacher this semester who has already surpassed all previous instructors with his ability to be a typically thoughtless, egocentric, far left-wing drone. He has already shown a penchant for presenting the lecture material with the added bonus of illogical, dogmatic philosophy and just plain bad theology. The first class day I was content to sit there and chuckle at the idiocy that found its way out of his mouth. However, on the second class day, after sitting through almost a half hour long argument on the virtues or marijuana usage, I couldn't take anymore.

I raised my hand and questioned how the "unreasonable targeting of marijuana users by the government" had anything to do with the subject matter. He fumbled out some non-answer and continued on with his verbal diarrhea. I questioned him again (respectfully, of course) and he drew his claws and attacked me. He snarled like a puppy backed into a corner. The man was completely caught off guard by my opposition to his blither. He lost whatever small amount of credibility his argument might have held before. He quickly scurried back to the prescribed lecture content and left the incident behind us all.

Now what's the point to this story? Am I bragging that I showed some teacher who's boss? Yay, 3 ego points for me today...right? NO. I stood up for the truth. I stood up for our Creator and the story of our creation. Bear in mind that this is an introductory level class. More than a handful of underclassmen have contacted me since then, expressing appreciation that someone stood up and opposed what we were hearing. They were relieved that someone was able to speak the truth. My friends, I did nothing in that classroom that you are all not fully capable of doing. Let me explain...

1 Peter 3:15 commands us to be ready to give an answer to why we believe what we believe. Too often, we as Christian college students are content to sit back and listen to an activist professor and not say a word. We are called to be a light in this world. Your classrooms are part of the world. Now, I can hear the opposition springing up already. Let me clarify...there is definitely a right and a wrong way to express yourself when you know the teacher does not agree. Remember that you are not commanded to change anyone's mind. However, we are commanded to speak the truth. If your words get in the head of just one of your fellow students and open the door for even a little truth to come in, your work has been worthwhile.

A very large responsibility comes attached with opening your mouth as an ambassador of the faith. You better know your stuff. My friends, this is a big part of where having that strong relationship with Jesus and a firm foundation in the scriptures is extremely important. Unfortunately, that is not enough. If all you have are Sunday school answers and scripture references, most everyone in academia will write you off in a heartbeat. That's where something called extra-biblical resources comes in real handy.

Do you know what you believe? Inside and out? If you don't, how can you effectively relate it to a world that doesn't speak Christian-ese? You need to have your faith so defined and set in concrete that you can have quality discussion on any major aspect of it.

The world we live in is searching for something to fill the God-shaped hole in their life. They are trying to cram other stuff into that hole, but it just doesn't feel right. Secular teachers and leaders are more than willing to give them their version of the truth. In my classroom this week, there were 70 people that just wanted to be told the truth. My friends, we are on a first name basis with the Truth. His name is Jesus Christ. It is our mandate to live out our faith to a lost and dying world.

How do we go from discussing cell biology to sharing about Jesus Christ? I'll tell you...

It's story time with Uncle James boys and girls. So, you're in a study group and you're talking about biology. You throw out the thought provoking question of exactly how all this stuff in the cell got so well organized. People start throwing out evolutionary theories and biological laws and principles. Then you use your knowledge base and bring up the mathematical reasons why evolution isn't just improbable, it's practically mathematically impossible. You throw out that Charles Darwin himself recanted his theory and came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ before his death. You talk about Newton's 2nd Law of Thermodynamics and how the Chaos Theory completely contradicts modern evolutionary theory.

Once you've destroyed your classmates confidence in the lie of evolution, you start to ponder the possible alternatives. Intelligent design by a higher being is the most logical choice given the options. You bring up the biblical account of creation and cross-reference it with ancient archaeological records (they support each other). You bring up your personal beliefs on the subject and get your classmates to talk about theirs. You move from there to hypothetically discussing our responsibility to this higher being that created us. You bring up the concept of absolute truth and "right from wrong". You throw out the big word: sin. Here's where things really start to get interesting.

Most of the people I know that have an objection to Christianity think that a loving God wouldn't condemn "good people" to Hell. However, we all know that our very best efforts are "filthy rags" without some kind of redemption for our sin (Isa. 64:6). A phrase that I believe came straight from God was: "It doesn't matter how good your hands are if your heart is still evil."Any honest person can looks inside the depths of their own heart and soul and realize that they are corrupt. Once that realization is made, finding a cure for that corruption becomes the goal. My friends, that cure is Jesus Christ.

Once again, like always, the answer is Jesus Christ.

The story and the path I used is just an example. It's the path I take when I'm dealing with unbelievers in academia. The extra-biblical path is extremely effective to a generation that prides themselves on their progressive thinking and intellectual prowess.

My friends, we are called to live out our faith. It will rarely be easy. You will risk persecution from your instructor and fellow students. You will risk your popularity and maybe even your grade if you aren't smart about it. Rest assured, Jesus knew all this would happen.

John 15:18 - 18. If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

Get out there. Be a light. Minister to your friends and classmates who are doomed to eternity in Hell unless some Christian somewhere steps out of their tidy little comfort zone and does something about it. Be that Christian.

Search the scriptures. Seek extra-biblical resources. Become a powerful weapon in the hand of Almighty God as He rescues people out of Satan's grasp. Be blessed, my friends. All of Heaven, all those who have gone before us, the "great cloud of witnesses" (Heb. 12:1) is cheering you on.