J. Budziszewski
1 Simply Terrible.
A liberal arts education should teach a student how to think, not what to think. If nothing else, college graduates should leave college with the ability to analyze issues and problems critically so that they can thoughtfully consider and address problems and issues that they face in the real world. For example, professors should not attempt to teach student what to think about homosexuality, abortion, the death penalty, affirmative action or any other social issue of the day. Instead, a college education should provide each student with the tools that will enable him or her to reflect on those issues, critically examine with others say about those issues, and reach his or her own conclusions, based on reason and logic.
To put it bluntly, my understanding of college directly conflicts with that of Mr. Budziszewski. This book is all about teaching people what to think, NOT how to think. In this book, Mr. Budziszewski warns his young reader time and time again that he or she will face different points of view on social issues in college and that he or she must stand firm against such view points. He does not encourage his young readers to listen to what others have to say with an open mind. He does not encourage his young readers to think critically about various social issues and to apply reason and logic to reach their own opinions about those issues. Instead, he demands that they think X about issue Y and not listen to anyone who would say differently. This book may be appropriate for a fundamentalist Christian teenager who has made the sad choice to attend a fundamentalist school where anyone who disagrees with the supposedly "correct" view is shunned. BUT this book is certainly not for any teen who has an open mind, nor any young reader who plans on attending a diverse and vibrant liberal arts college.
2 An essential for any up-and-coming college goer
First off, a note on how to pronounce this guy's last name, which is so helpfully provided at the end of the book: It's Boojee-shefski. There, got that? Took ME long enough!
This book is an essential, and not only for Christians or homeschoolers, but anyone about to enter college. Seeing as how I'm a high school senior now, I found this book excellent prep for what I know I'm getting ready to go through.
In a short 140 pages, J. Budziszewski provides in-depth analysis and information for what to expect in college, and how to deal with it. He discusses how to hang tight to what you know is right, even when close friends, roommates, and peer groups don't. He offers insight on how to cope with non-Christian friends, and counteracts common campus myths, most of them the kind a Christian freshman might not know how to deal with.
He shoots down myths and smokescreens that often render Christians a little lost as to how to respond, even when they know there IS an answer) and brilliantly refutes such myths as moral relativism, atheism, etc.
He offers advice on how to deal with relationships, both friendship and the Deeper Kind, in a chapter that most students will flip right to: Myths about Love and Sex. He offers refreshing encouragement that you CAN stick to your morals and remain chaste in college, and that it's not only obeying God, but rewarding in its own right!
Budziszewsky also hits (briefly) on political issues, something that few can avoid in today's campus life.
Finally, he sums it all up by discussing WHY all this is important, and highlights the fact that you should fit college into God's plan, not God into college plans. He leaves us with a reminder that we are given a purpose in life, a unique meaning of serving the Lord, and how everything around us factors into Eternity, whether we realize it or no.
In case you haven't figured out already, I think this book is brilliant, masterful, and a comprehensive must-have for any up-and-coming collegian. Parents, your sons and daughters are missing out if you don't get this for them. Students, if you can spare the money, this book is guaranteed to give new meaning and purpose into your collegian existence.
3 great
I'm a college student and I'm glad that I got this book, I've been in classes that have attacked the Christian faith. The author avoids Christian cliches, and tells it like it is. He uses humor, gives the facts, and great advice, it'll help the college student as their challenged in the real world. A must for any Christian in college.
4 sending the wrong message
College is a time for developing abstract thinking skills. While this book is well written, it sends college bound teenagers the wrong message. It tells them not to trust their own thoughts and not to consider the ideas presented to them by others (certain "others" that is). This is the whole point of growing up and learning to think for yourself. No teenager should go into college with his or her mind made up about life's important questions . . . these should be constantly revised from birth until death as we gain insight and experience.
Budziszewski tells these teenagers to trust him because he occasionally refers to the Bible. He already assumes they trust the Bible, but why do they? Because older people told them to, or because they explored it and assessed its veracity for themselves?
This book disturbs me because it does what it claims the "outside" world will do if they're not careful -- feeds young impressionable minds with what to believe. Being a christian is not like holding to an exercise routine. If one has to avoid certain people and situations and memorize canned answers in order to "keep the faith" as Budziszewski recommends, then he actually implies that the faith recommends itself so little that young people will never be able to stick to it for its own merits and truths.
5 Great Graduation Gift
Professor Budziszewski does a great job at describing various world views, explaining the nature of truth & morality, sexuality, naturalism, the basics of theology, and more.
This book would make a good Bible study or Sunday School lesson book for High School students as well. The chapters are short and thought provoking. The book not only challenges a person's thinking, but equips them to defend aspects of the Christian faith to relativists, naturalists, and post-moderns.
The book has online resources available for further reading.
I also recommend this book to any Christian teacher of high school or college students, and to any youth or college leaders at church. It will encourage many Christian students to stand strong on campus when their beliefs are being challenged by the professors or by friends in the dorm.
6 KEEPING YOUR FAITH
I think this book is well written and composed. It gives Christian a good understanding of what they should expect from their professors and how they as Christians should respond. Keeping your faith in college is harder than it ever has been before, and this book points out thoes facts plain and simple. It also gives practical advice and knowledge for the student who is either struggling, or may be soon. The casual format of writing helps keep the reader attentive and allert to the points that the author is making. The book overall was enjoyable, interactive, and insightful. It would really help a young Christian who plans on leaving for collage any time soon.
7 worth reading
Being a student who is preparing to go to college soon, I found this book quite insightful. J. Budziszewski covered lots of areas that a Christian might face in college. I like the part where he explained different world views, and then raised interesting questions regarding these views. They really fun to think about. Another reason I consisder this book worths reading is because this book deals with issues other than just staying Christian in college. Budziszewski also pointed out some important principles in Christianity; for example, the Trinity, heaven and hell, and the existence of evil was not created by God,etc. This book contains a large amount of information. There is a info box in almost every page. It has useful footnotes regarding a certain topic. I personally got a lot out of this book. Although some chapters are more exciting than others, the overall work is good.
8 In response to ad101867
I must, as a christian, disagree with the user who wrote that the Catholic Church has a great deal obscured the gospel by way of their man made traditions. I have spent my whole life as a protestant christian, but now i am in the process of converting to catholicism. Why, one might ask? Because it is true. I agree that the bible could be obscured by man made traditions, however, the writer forgot to consider the fact that maybe the traditions are not man made, but God made. I recall St. Paul exhorting Christians to hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or by our epistle "2. thess 2:15." Paul meant the traditions of the apostles, and that is EXACTLY the tradition that the Catholic Church follows. One must read the writings of the early church to discover what the shape of Christinaity really was like, otherwise they will be guilty of ignorance. So to say that the Pope is not an example of true Christianity is absolute folly. If indeed he is Peter's successor( given that peter was the first pope or bishop of rome,) which is made apparent by the writings of the early church and the clear teaching of the bible, then one should not be so presumptuous. I choose to follow the bible, not man made traditions of protestantism or anything else for that matter, such as sola scripture, sola fide, and the real absence in the eucharist. As the author of the book says, Follow Christ! That entails submitting to his will, and consequently His Church and spreading his good news, not our own ideas and presuppositions. May the Peace of Christ be with those entering college and with all. I would reccomend this book to everyone. And to anyone that is interested in the shape of early christianity and how to defend their faith: Penguin books has a generic early church writings book called, simply, "early church writings." Read eusibius, and ignatius of antioch, polycarp, Iraneus, and foremost the holy scriptures...In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity
9 How to stay Christian in college
This book is packed full of useful and practical information about how to stand firm in the faith in college. The author formats the information in a way that is easy to understand and to remember. If you want to be able to give answers to those who challenge your faith and want to be ready for the spiritual and intellectual battle in college, this is the book for you. I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter. It was very encouraging to know that there is no reason that I cannot stand up for my faith and be successful at it as well. It was very difficult for me to put this book down after I began to read it. I would recommend it to anyone.
10 How to stay Christian in college
This book is packed full of useful and practical information about how to stand firm in the faith in college. The author formats the information in a way that is easy to understand and to remember. If you want to be able to give answers to those who challenge your faith and want to be ready for the spiritual and intellectual battle in college, this is the book for you. I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter. It was very encouraging to know that there is no reason that I can't stand up for my faith and be successful at it as well. The author gives great tips on how to respond to many different and common arguments against the Christianity. It was very difficult for me to put this book down after I began to read it. I would recommend it to anyone.
11 How to stay Christian in college
This book is packed full of useful and practical information about how to stand firm in the faith in college. The author formats the information in a way that is easy to understand and to remember. If you want to be able to give answers to those who challenge your faith and want to be ready for the spiritual and intellectual battle in college, this is the book for you. I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter. It was very encouraging to know that there is no reason that I can't stand up for my faith and be successful at it as well. The author gives great tips on how to respond to many different and common arguments against the Christianity. It was very difficult for me to put this book down after I began to read it. I would recommend it to anyone.
12 How to stay Christian in college
This book is packed full of useful and practical information about how to stand firm in the faith in college. The author formats the information in a way that is easy to understand and to remember. If you want to be able to give answers to those who challenge your faith and want to be ready for the spiritual and intellectual battle in college, this is the book for you. I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter. It was very encouraging to know that there is no reason that I can't stand up for my faith and be successful at it as well. The author gives great tips on how to respond to many different and common arguments against the Christianity. It was very difficult for me to put this book down after I began to read it. I would recommend it to anyone.
13 How To Stay Christian In College
This book was excellent for addressing the many difficulties that one may face in college. Everything from sex to politics is coverered. I particularly liked how the author gave real life examples that made each topic clearer. I recommend this book to anyone that is going to college and is a Christian (as the title suggests). Going to college sounds very exciting for me and I can't wait to be able to witness first hand the tough situations that are thrown at me. I truely believe that if college is not important in somebodies life and they are spiritually weak that they opt not to go to college. I know that sounds really bad because it is so widely accepted in the US that college is important for life..but to the weak Christian it may endanger their spiritual life. It is my hope that this book will apply to my life when I go off to school.
14 review of How to Stay Christian in College
I found this book helpful and enjoyable to read. J. Budziszewski has a lot to say yet it was not confusing. His ideas are not only for people who plan to or are already in college, they can help out any Christian. He gives very good advice for understanding and defending your faith, which is something all Christians should know. He knows what he is talking about, too, because he fell for some of the lies that the world tells us while he was in college. Knowing some of the things I will come across helps me to better understand how improtant it is for me to figure out now what I believe and stick to it. He does not say that going to a Christian college is the best way to stay Christian. Not everyone wants to go one and I think more people need to accept that and not press it so much. The final chapter is helpful too because it is hard to remember that our lives are not our own but belong to God. There were some parts I did not agree with but overall I found this book to be very insightful and easy to read. Christians of all stages in their relationships can get something out of reading this.
15 Great Guide for College Freshman
"How to Stay Christian in College: An Interactive Guide to Keeping the Faith" is a great book for the upcoming college student - and would be a great "backpack stuffer" for parents to buy. So many young people are trundled off to universities and never adequately prepared for the antichristian nonsense they are certain to be fed - even in many so-called "Christian Colleges."
I have a suggestion for believing students who are confronted with a professor like the one who likes to throw a Bible out the window of his class: have a copy of Darwin's "Origin of Species" with you, and ask the class if anyone believes it is real science. Then pitch it out the window! It will provoke stimulating conversation that semester!
16 One Reviewer was Wrong
The book is right in stating that Biblical teaching involves a woman submitting to her husband. That is what the Bible clearly, unequivocally states. To deny that is to ignore the straight-forward teaching of the apostle. "Wives, submit to your husbands." Ephesians 5:22 He is also wrong that the majority of pastors et al teach that wives should not (or do not have to) submit to their husbands, on two counts. One, it is uprovable. Two, in order to sustain such a statement, he must include pastors of liberal denominations and other heretical sects who disregard the Bible when it is convenient. Submission of the wife to the husband is just as biblical and just as binding as is the command for the husband to love his wife.
17 All thinking Christians should stay away from this book
As a Christian, I would like to suggest that J. Budziszewski's book is a very poor guide to staying Christian in college. I have several points to make:
First, Budziszewski treats his own religious beliefs as unarguable facts, when in fact they are beliefs that only a small, isolated, backward minority of Christians hold. For instance: in this book, he argues that women should submit to the leadership of their husbands. The vast majority Christian leaders today -- ministers, pastors, priests -- vigorously reject such teachings.
Second, Budziszewski does not trust you to use your mind in college, to explore ideas, and thereby to strengthen your Christianity by free inquiry. Surprisingly for a university professor, he engages in the cheap tactic of describing certain views as dangerous, but he gives summaries of the views that are pitifully superficial and biased. Such summaries appear to be calculated to make you reject such views out-of-hand, when actually you should approach them openly. He wants to frighten you away from "scary" ideas like postmodernism and pragmatism, when in fact he should be encouraging you to study the ideas, and come to your own conclusions. If Christians had always been so scared of unfamiliar and pagan ideas, the great advances in Christian thought made by people like Augustine and Aquinas never would have occurred. (St. Augustine of Hippo was deeply influenced by a non-Christian philosopher, Plato; and St. Thomas Aquinas managed to unite Augustinian Christianity with the ideas of the pagan philosopher Aristotle. Neither man feared, or fled from, non-Christian ideas, but rather they worked to understand them, with an open heart and mind.) It is conceivable that if you were to study one of these "scary" postmodern or pragmatist philosophers, like Jacques Derrida or Richard Rorty, you might strengthen your faith and see that such ideas are nothing to be afraid of, but are to be eagerly engaged. Even if their views are not completely true, you may find that they offer part of the truth. Here's what it comes down to: God gave us minds for a reason -- to use them. Don't trust anyone, like Budziszewski, who doesn't trust you to use yours.
Third, the peculiarly strident tone of this book is unbecoming to a Christian. Does Budziszewski not believe that Christians, faced with different interpretations of Christian teachings, should be humble about their own beliefs? Apparently not. Doubt is part of being a Christian, and you should never give in to the temptation (as, unfortunately, Budziszewski has) to believe in the infallibility of your own religious convictions. Don't believe for a minute, for example, that Budziszewski has a "better" understanding of God's word than those Christians who do NOT believe that a woman should submit to the leadership of her husband. For him to think so is utter vanity.
A better volume for Christians seeking guidance on how to stay Christian in the modern world is Pope John Paul II's "Crossing the Threshold of Hope." This is a rich source of wisdom and inspiration that can be valuable even for non-Catholics. The best thing about the Pope's book is that on every page you sense his humility (which is not evident in Budziszewski's book). The Pope, a genuine authority on Christian teaching, will inspire you -- he knows you should not be ashamed of your doubts, because doubt is a natural part of a religious life. He encourages you to use your mind and to explore ideas in making sense of your religion for yourself.
18 "A Helpful Guide For College"
As a Senior who is looking to go to a college this book served as a great guide. When I first started to read this book I thought to myself how much more do I need to know for college. I have been lectured enough about college from my parents, teachers, and peers. As I started to read it I found what he was saying very useful. He gave step by step approaches to defending your faith. He also gave helpful ways to staying pure in Christ. I liked how he not only gave his opinion but he had bible verses to back up his opinion on things. I think he spent a little too much time on sex. I think it is very important to keep your virginity but he seemed like he kept repeating the same things over and over again. I liked how he gave all the different religions and how they are not like Christianity. I was wondering if he wrote this book for non-Christians also because was saying things that I have heard thousands of times before. This man is a very godly person who cares for others. I was very surprised to hear that he used to be an atheist because I haven't heard of that many Christians who used to be atheists but I thought that was really cool gave his life to Christ. Overall I thought this book was good because it prepares you better for college and also helps you with your walk with Jesus.
19 Christian in College
I enjoyed this book, because everything the author said God was the center. I believe that is the most important thing. I agreed with almost everything the author said. I have not yet experienced college, but by reading this book, it helped me see what college is going to be like and how it will be difficult to stay strong in God's Word. Friends that I will be with all the time can bring my focus off God. That is not what I want! The author quotes, "Sometimes old friends grow closer at college, but sometimes they grow apart." This is also something I do not want, but if my friends are pulling me away from my focus on God, then I think I can stand a little away form the crowd. God is much more important to me than my friends. That does not mean I do not care about my friends, but God is my focus. J. Budziszewski asks the question, "How can you stand firm?" It says in Romans 12:2, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." I know it will be difficult to stand firm, but if we obey God's Word and pray, it should not be hard. I would recommend this book to you because I think it would really help understand that going to college is not as easy as people make it sound. I think it will be fun, but it really is important that you have your priorities straight. God is the Almighty King and He really cares about every one of us. Keep your FOCUS!!
20 Ryan Habib's review to How to Stay a Christian in College.
I think this book was an awesome book and I am so glad that I got the opportunity to read it. I think that it is a great book because there is no guarantee that you won't face challenges in your faith as a Christian. I think this book was an exceptional directory for a Christian who goes to a secular college. It serves as a great example for anyone dedicated to Jesus Christ. This book really helped me to see college in a different way other than how the world sees it. It talks about the dangers that we will encounter throughout college and how to defend our faith when we are questioned or attacked. I would definitely recommend this book to every Christian high school in the United States. I have gained an understanding of how God looks at the world and how colleges look at the world. This book shows us how there are different world religions other than Christianity and how to defend our faith. Another way this book teaches us how to be better Christians is to be quiet when there is a Professor who can outsmart you and tell you what you believe in is wrong. Finally, this book was really insightful in that it taught me when and more importantly how to stand up for what I believe in. --Ryan Habib
21 Matt Moyers review for How to stay a Christian in College
I think this book was an excellent guide for a Christian who goes to a secular college or even a Christian college. This book tells the truth of how college really is and how to deal with the issue. I think that this book is honest and trustworthy book in telling the reader what college is like. I would definitely recommend this book to Christians who need help in defending their faith, because in college there will be people who will question and disagree with your faith and I need to be ready to stand up for what I believe in. This book talks a lot about the myth of the search for knowledge, love, sex, and politics. All of these myths are important to the young people who want to go to college. Most importantly this book has helped me in my walk with God and Jesus Christ. It tells me about the different religions that are on the college campus today. I really feel that this book has sharpened my faith in God's Holy Word. I am excited that I was able to read this great edge of your seat thriller, and share it with my Christian and non-Christian friends. Finally, I learned a lot from this book and I look forward to using it in the years to come. --Matt Moyer
22 evans play house
I really enjoyed this book, very helpful in my walk with God.
23 A Real-Life Teenager's Review
As a high school senior who is approaching college quickly, I thought this book was appealing and engrossing. I have read several works about living for God and preparing for college, but never one as well written as J. Budziszewski's book. Budziszewski did not follow the normal cliches that most authors use and he did not talk down to the reader. Unlike other books on this subject, the author was specific. When he spoke about debating professors with respect, he did not leave the reader wondering how to accomplish this feat. He gave example dialogues for several points. This proved to be very helpful for me. One of the best aspects of the book was that it was surprisingly Biblically sound. Yes, it sounds odd, but I have read "living for God" books that were fairly stuffed with feel-good philosophy. The author challenged the reader to live for Christ completely, not just to fit God into your college schedule next to your water aerobics class. Precise and original, How to Stay Christian in College reinforced moral principles while giving practical advice from an author who actually remembered what it was like to be a vulnerable young adult. I believe this book is a great resource for current and prospective college students. Many of the same principles of "holding your own without being a jerk" are beneficial for teenagers in high school as well. The phrase WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do?) seems to be slightly overused these days. The wording of the phrase makes it sound as if it depends on what the speaker thinks Jesus would do, not what the Bible said He would do in a situation. Budziszewski ended his book with an alternative catchphrase which does not rely on human opinion. In fact, the phrase is so exceptional, I am going to finish my review with it. Simple and powerful, "Follow Christ."
24 Easy to read but not "dumbed down"
Let's face it. Most Christian young people are not adequately prepared in a spiritual sense to head off to a secular college upon graduation from high school. I teach at a Christian high school myself, and I know that we have our hands full preparing our students for the philosophies and beliefs of the secular world. How often I have had former students come back and tell me that they were glad they were given material to help reinforce their Christian faith. Having flipped through How to Stay Christian in College, I am recommending it to my high school seniors. More than a dozen just ordered it. This book will complement the information provided to them in a junior level apologetics course. "Bud" is a U of Texas professor who tackles some tough issues without getting too deep. For those who need more information on any of the topics he discusses--from relativism to politics--there are other excellent references listed in his footnotes, most of which I have personally read and would also highly recommend. I think this book would make an excellent graduation present by a concerned parent or relative who wants to be sure "junior" will retain his faith into the college years and beyond. Of course, "junior" will need to learn what it means to own his own faith (rather than borrowing mom and dad's), and this book would be an excellent primer to have on the bookshelf next to the Bible.
25 Great as a gift for high school seniors!
As a pastor I stuggle for appropriate, i.e., meaningful and yet not too formal or overbearing, gifts for seniors graduating in my church and in other churches I've served. This is an extremely relevant book for young people, especially for those from rather small towns that have yet to really be questioned and confronted about their faith. I would recommend this book to students and parents, as well as to clergy and youth workers interested in preparing their "flock" in the best way they can.
26 Good for most...but not what I was looking for...
This book is, without a doubt, innovative and helpful...to most people. I was actually looking for something totally different and as a college student in the thick of things, I didn't find it particularly helpful. It identifies classifications of people's main arguments against Christianity, gives you rebuttals, etc. But you don't win people to Christ with argument. It also goes through a list of myths about love and sex, etc. I don't have a problem with that. I was kind of at a loss about where it would help me. There was no discussion of how to deal with those into the social scene, no talk about time management and how to fit a time with God into daily activity... This would be a great book for those who are "wobbly" in their faith, but not really helpful for someone who wanted help with the realities of college life. I did really enjoy reading it, all negativity aside, and I would recommend it to some people...I just don't think it applies to everyone. Make sure you read the summary before you buy it.
27 Every Christian needs this book!
This book is a fairly quick read (I finished it on a plane trip). Kudos to the author! This book answers a number of questions which arise for Christian students, and it answers them in a way that is simple and not demeaning to non-Christians. Absolutely the best book I have read on the subject of modern apologetics!
28 Outstanding; not just for the college student!
Concise, focused, and practical, this book aims at the key issues Christian college students will face in school and hits the target. More than that, Prof. Budziszewski provides steps of action for responding to questions, arguments, and objections from fellow students or faculty logically and respectfully. What makes this book even more valuable is that it is equally useful in the workplace. Let's face it: how many of us had all of our truly important questions answered in college? Working folks have many of the same concerns and issues covered in the book, and the recommended approaches for dealing with them are just as helpful.
29 Indispensable reading for college students.
What I would have given for a book like this back in my college days! I've worked closely with High School seniors in a college preparatory environment, and consider Dr. Budziszewski's wonderful guide truly indispensable. No other work covers the ground with such intellectual vigor and yet such accessibility. Students who read it will no longer feel overwhelmed and bewildered by the challenges which college hurls at their Christian faith. Instead, with Dr. Budziszewski's skilled guidance among the moral, social, and intellectual land mines, they will approach this new phase of their lives with joy and confidence. For young believers who want to be able to explain, justify, and grow in Christian hope in a potentially hostile setting, this book is "must" reading.
