Is OPism anti-intellectual?

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

My sister uses this term all the time. It always grates on my nerves, so let me respond as gracefully as possible. It depends on the kid, frankly. My daughter is planning to go into missions, and we've actually discussed with her the idea that she will do better in ministry if she either remains single or marries a like minded person. (scripture ref. used - the one about a woman who is single caring for the things of the Lord, and a married woman caring for the things of the world and how she might please her husband) However, if some girl does want to go to Bible college for a year or two for the sole purpose of finding a Christian husband, that's perfectly acceptable and even respectable. I find it odd that so many people find that something to deride. Some women do just want to settle down, love and support their husband, have babies and keep house. I know it isn't popular or cool, but it's still a very honorable vocation for ANY woman to choose. I agree that it's nice to have a backup plan, but that doesn't have to happen young. I have a friend who is married with 2 kids who is getting her teaching degree. My sister got her degree after her boys were grown. It is more difficult after you have children, but not impossible.



Not around here. People start to wonder if they're "okay" or if they'll ever marry once they dip into their 30's, though... The dating pool does shrink considerably and exponentially as you get older.

Oh was not knocking bible college if that was how it came across... we actually discussed it with our youngest but he really did not feel a call to ministry in the traditional sense. So we financially supported another kid from our church who was having trouble making tuition and expenses at TBC.

I was just surprised that my son's choice did not seem respected by many and the idea that getting an education would lead him into sin was a completely new concept to me... I feel like if they have not got it for themselves by that age keeping them at home is not going to really going to be the difference... Realizing I'm generalizing and that some kids do need the extra time... but I felt like I knew my kid.

Glad to hear that this is not everywhere... or not so much any more... we are kind of backwards here.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Oh was not knocking bible college if that was how it came across... we actually discussed it with our youngest but he really did not feel a call to ministry in the traditional sense. So we financially supported another kid from our church who was having trouble making tuition and expenses at TBC.

I was just surprised that my son's choice did not seem respected by many and the idea that getting an education would lead him into sin was a completely new concept to me... I feel like if they have not got it for themselves by that age keeping them at home is not going to really going to be the difference... Realizing I'm generalizing and that some kids do need the extra time... but I felt like I knew my kid.

Glad to hear that this is not everywhere... or not so much any more... we are kind of backwards here.

I'm surprised that the choice wasn't respected--but not all that surprised, if you know what I mean.

In fairness, I am aware of places that are backward enough to be suspicious of anyone who doesn't go to work at the local sawmill or grocery store and get married by the ripe old age of 21ish. The Missouri hills, boothill, NC, and AR mountain country come to mind.

As an aside, congratulations on having a child who is pursuing a Ph.D. You must be (should be) a very proud Mama, to have raised a son who loves learning and is committed and steady enough to make that kind of degree a reality.

[Hoovie]

Some are, some aren't.
Certainly the 40 Homeschoolers that spent the day at my home today aren't anti intellectuals. Most of the adults were professionals, several with degrees and one with a doctorate in Biblical Languages.

I don't see that there is a greater tendancy for OPs to be anti intellectual than are other Christians, though I know some certainly are.

[BroJoe]

I have lots of friends that are in Bible College. I know nearly ever person that attends CLC in Stockton, CA.

They all agree. Bible College is for those that feel called into the ministry, this is the main purpose.

If a person doesn't feel called into ministry, I encourage them to do what they feel the Lord wants them to do.

[houston]

Where I am from we were not allowed to attend bible college because "there's nothing you will learn at bible college that you can't learn at your home church" coming from a pastor that said he preaches at a 6th grade level so everyone can understand.

It was never the will of God for anyone to move away to attend college. You attended the community college in the next county over. If you attended university you made the 75 minute commute one way.

Good times.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by houston

Where I am from we were not allowed to attend bible college because "there's nothing you will learn at bible college that you can't learn at your home church" coming from a pastor that said he preaches at a 6th grade level so everyone can understand.

It was never the will of God for anyone to move away to attend college. You attended the community college in the next county over. If you attended university you made the 75 minute commute one way.

Good times.

We have been very fortunate. Our local community college system is excellent and actually allowed my youngest to transfer with 46 completed hours that applied to his degree from dual credit and summers. TAMU is less than 2 hours away so while he lives in the dorm he is able to come home weekends without much fuss and we can be there in a flash if he is sick or has car trouble, etc.

The environment is a good one as the school places a lot of emphasis on honor and personal responsibility. It is also a place where he can learn to make choices for himself. His grades, his willingness to be available for us on the farm when needed, his speech and demeanor and the fact that he still has a prayer life and cares about the things of God all reassure me that we made the right choice.

God does not have any grandchildren, each person has to accept salvation for themselves and I think college is a great place to make sure that's in place. I have found plenty of people who do not agree with me one bit however.

[acerrak]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

I have found that a lot of my OP friends are horrified that my oldest son chose to get a Ph.D and has delayed marriage in order to be able to do that.

My youngest graduated from the church school, which had terrible academics... (fortunately he was saved by the local community college dual credit program and got in to TAMU)... When I asked why they did not improve their program I was told that most the kids are either getting married or going to Bible College (which evidently has no standards either)...

Do others find that the church seems anti-education? Or is this just something in our locality?

couple of years ago, at a upci general conference. not for sure thinking it was houston texas, could be wrong. They had a lady there. ( and the name excapes me) but she is the head guru of sunday school and teen learning.

the message one would think would be about christian education was not really what was given. It was more about preserving. isolating,

She said that if there is kids mixing with you kids even in your local assembly that dont believe exactly the way we do they need to be cut off. This was even as going to the lengths of trying to have all kids removed from any type of secular education.

i would call this a type of brain washing myself. was sorta extreme in my book.

However this type of mentality does exist. but i think its probably isolated to certain areas, I dont think this is the way every church runs there assembly.

You wil have both people on different sides of the fence making valid points and both can be extreme.

[aegsm76]

I have never observed OPism being anti-intellectual.
I would say that the roots of the Apostolic movement in the South Central and Southern parts of the country were among the very poor.
These individuals were not highly educated and had a distrust for those who were.
This led to their mindset of not wanting or needing higher education.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

I have found that a lot of my OP friends are horrified that my oldest son chose to get a Ph.D and has delayed marriage in order to be able to do that.

My youngest graduated from the church school, which had terrible academics... (fortunately he was saved by the local community college dual credit program and got in to TAMU)... When I asked why they did not improve their program I was told that most the kids are either getting married or going to Bible College (which evidently has no standards either)...

Do others find that the church seems anti-education? Or is this just something in our locality?

Christianity is anti-intellectual on some levels.

I have seen what you are talking about first hand though, in OP cirlces.

[MissBrattified]

According to the US Census, only about 10% of Americans have a Master's degree or higher. Nearly 20% have a Bachelor's degree. That leaves 70% of the population who range somewhere between high school dropout or graduate, some college but no degree, and Associate's degree.

It's probably unfair to level this at OP's in particular. If these statistics are accurate, then the OP's I know are statistically MORE educated than their secular counterparts.

The Census breakdown by race is interesting (but not surprising): (percent of populations by race that are a "College Graduate or More")

2010 - 30.3% of the white population, 19.8% of the black population, 13.9% of the Hispanic population and a whopping 52.4% of the Asian/Pacific Islander population.