Old Blog

Dr. Dobson's response to this question from his excellent book Life On The Edge

A person doesn't go to college just to prepare for a line of work -- or at least, that shouldn't be the reason for being there. The purpose for getting a college education is to broaden your world and enrich your intellectual life. Whether or not it leads to a career is not the point. Nothing invested in the cultivation of your own mind is ever really wasted. IF you have the desire to learn and the opportunity to go to school, I think you should reach for it. Your career plans can be finalized later.

-- Life On The Edge page 74

I want to type up more from other similar questions and answers, but I really should go finish eating breakfast, but this is a really good quote:

There is no more important job in the universe than to raise a child to love God.

-- Life On The Edge page 75

Comments? Questions? What do you think?

Sorry, new comments have been disabled. ;) You can contact me at elijahlofgren at elijahlofgre.com if you want to. ;)

Current Comments

• On June 24, 2008, 6:18 pm Elijah Lofgren said...

  Hi Mrs. Pauley,

  Thanks for your comment!

  I think I agree with everything in your comment. :)

  God uses many ways to teach us what He wants us to know and obedience to Him is the most important.

  God bless,

  Elijah

• On June 23, 2008, 3:46 am Mrs. Pauley said...

  I found this through a friend's blog and I can't resist commenting on this. I am a young woman, a homemaker, wife to a wonderful husband, and mother of 2 children. I must say that while university/college has it's advantages, it also has it's disadvantages.

  When I was 19, I had my life planned out until the age of 26, and that plan included college. :) My Father (heavenly) had other plans though, and He revealed this quite clearly to me...not in a booming voice or anything of the sort, I just knew what to do, though it was contrary to everything I had been taught and knew. So, I have a few thoughts on the subject...

  Firstly, Most successful entrepreneaurs have NOT attended college or university...I did the research to find out and was quite happy and suprised to find this to be the case! Those who have not attended university have a much more keen ability to think "outside of the box" and come up with new, innovative ideas that typically would not be gained by going to university...that is not to say you can't do it if you go to university, it's merely statistics. If you want to broaden your scope, try crewing on a sailboat that circumnavigates the globe, traveling to Israel and working on a kibbutz and remaining pure in that environment, going on a working holiday to China or a third world country, traveling to another country and immerse yourself in their culture, learn to speak their language...there are ANY number of ways to do this (broaden your world and enrich your intellectual life) other than college.

  Secondly, as wives are biblically to be keepers of their home, I am a firm believer in preparation for that ahead of time...you would be suprised I think to know how few women have the SLIGHTEST clue what that means. Even having been homeschooled through graduation, and a family run business where my dad and mom were home nearly all the time, I didn't have any idea, and I have been shocked at how common that is in Western Society. If young Christian women spent the time and effort(and money! if need be) to further their Godly responsibilities further on down the line, think what a difference THAT would make!

  Thirdly, and most importantly, the question is does God want me to attend university. After that, it doesn't matter what you want, if you want it, or why. Simply obey...and that requires knowing His voice well enough to determine. I'm still working on that one!

  I speak only because I have been there. My dad whole heartedly would agree with Dobson. Fact of the matter is though that God has bigger plans that shouldn't be affected by societies "norm"...but His plans may include college as well, I just think that anything other than college should not have to be the "exception". Especially to a Christian. Just my thoughts...

  (side note: Dr Dobson also sees nothing wrong with Halloween: "Even here, however, there is a place for some harmless fun. Kids love to dress up and pretend. If the Halloween experience is focused on fantasy rather than the occult, I see no harm in it. Make costumes for your children that represent fun characters, such as Mickey Mouse or an elderly grandmother, and then let them go door-to-door asking for treats. This side of Halloween can be thoroughly enjoyable for the little ones."...test the well you drink from.)
  

• On June 14, 2008, 2:49 pm Lisa Rajan said...

  The question and responser were very helpful, Elijah. Thanks for posting it.

• On June 14, 2008, 12:37 pm Elijah Lofgren said...

  > I DO think that there are ways to learn and broaden ones mind without going to college.

  I agree. :)

  Thanks for your comment Anna! :)

• On June 14, 2008, 11:38 am Anna Lofgren said...

  Although I'm in the minority in our family, I'll at least put my opinion out there, though I don't want to spark another discussion! Though college certainly does help one mature and grow, as well as teaches plenty, I DO think that there are ways to learn and broaden ones mind without going to college. I've read plenty on the subject, and know or know of many girls that have a beautiful life and are very educated without college. However, it is the expected thing to do, so I'm sure it may be easier to learn things there.

  Anyways, just thought I'd throw it out there. I am at peace with going to college, but I don't think that it's a must for everyone. But you all are free to disagree. =)