EP 83 | Beyond the Diploma: Shaping Christian Kids’ Futures

In this lively episode of Tearing Down High Places, hosts Average Joe, Pastor Jeff, and Pastor Tim dive into the emotional and spiritual journey of sending a child to college or other post high school education, with a focus on choosing a Christian education in today’s challenging cultural landscape. The episode starts with Pastor Jeff’s recent experience dropping off his firstborn daughter at Liberty University, sparking a heartfelt conversation about parenting, faith, and the critical decisions surrounding higher education. Jeff shares the overwhelming joy of arriving at Liberty, where enthusiastic students welcomed his daughter with cheers, music, and help moving her belongings. This vibrant community spirit sets the tone for a discussion about why Christian universities like Liberty stand out in contrast to secular institutions. The hosts reflect on the challenges of sending kids to college in an era where secular campuses often promote worldviews that conflict with biblical values. Jeff emphasizes the importance of a college environment that fosters faith, citing Liberty’s commitment to excellence in everything from campus facilities to its Christ-centered curriculum. The conversation takes a biblical turn as the hosts explore the concept of love and sacrifice, drawing parallels between parenting and God’s love. Pastor Tim, a new father, connects this to his hopes for his daughter’s future, while Average Joe questions the cultural shift toward prolonged adolescence, noting how government policies—like extended child support until age 23 in New Jersey—may undermine independence. The hosts critique the secular system’s influence, from free public preschool crowding out Christian options to the housing crisis exacerbated by inflation and immigration policies. They argue that a government without God as its authority risks becoming an idol, shaping children’s values in ways that conflict with Christian principles. A key theme is the discernment parents must exercise when choosing a college. Jeff shares how his daughter’s decision to attend Liberty aligned with her upbringing, but he stresses that parents must assess their child’s spiritual maturity. For some, a secular college with a strong local church connection might work, but full immersion in a worldly environment risk corrupting character, as 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” The hosts contrast Liberty’s faith-filled atmosphere with their own experiences at nominally Christian schools like Eckerd College and Duquesne University, where secularism and skepticism undermined biblical truth. The episode also touches on broader societal issues, such as the New Jersey Supreme Court’s ruling that children of divorced parents have an “inherent right” to college, stripping parents of control over educational choices. The hosts challenge the assumption that college is the only path, highlighting trades like plumbing as viable, AI-resistant careers. They wrap up with a teaser for future episodes, including a discussion on no-fault divorce and a potential debate on Christian hedonism and pietism, which they see as fueling cultural disengagement among Christians. This episode is a must-listen for parents navigating college decisions, offering practical wisdom and a call to prioritize faith in education. Join Average Joe, Jeff, and Tim as they tear down high places and lift Christ-centered solutions.

Podcast Episode Summary: Key Transitions
• 00:00:51 - 00:01:11: The podcast officially starts with the host, Average Joe, introducing the show "Tearing Down High Places" and guests Pastor Jeff and Pastor Tim, discussing the weather in New Jersey and a potential hurricane.
• 00:02:03 - 00:03:08: Pastor Jeff shares about his recent trip to drop off his daughter at Liberty University, describing the enthusiastic welcome by students and the supportive environment.
• 00:03:43 - 00:05:13: Discussion shifts to the emotional experience of sending a firstborn child to college, comparing it to future experiences with younger siblings, and exploring the concept of parental love multiplying with each child.
• 00:05:47 - 00:06:26: The conversation touches on biblical examples of love and sacrifice (Paul and Timothy), emphasizing that parenting is a key way to learn selfless love, though not the only way.
• 00:06:48 - 00:09:05: Pastor Jeff explains the decision-making process for choosing Liberty University for his daughter, highlighting her autonomy in the decision while acknowledging parental influence. Other Christian schools considered are mentioned.
• 00:09:19 - 00:11:58: The discussion explores the risks of secular colleges versus Christian ones, emphasizing the potential for negative influences in secular environments and the importance of a child’s maturity in navigating them.
• 00:12:30 - 00:14:34: The conversation critiques government overreach in education, such as free preschool and kindergarten crowding out Christian schools, and ties it to broader societal issues like prolonged adolescence and dependency.
• 00:14:57 - 00:16:31: The hosts discuss economic factors like immigration and inflation impacting housing and education affordability, linking these to government policies and their effect on families.
• 00:16:59 - 00:19:52: Pastor Jeff praises Liberty University’s excellence in facilities, faculty, and Christian environment, contrasting it with his negative experience at Eckerd College, where faith was undermined.
• 00:20:02 - 00:23:50: The hosts reflect on the benefits of Christian colleges like Liberty for finding like-minded peers and potential spouses, with Pastor Jeff considering pursuing a doctorate there.
• 00:25:12 - 00:29:43: The discussion emphasizes the importance of knowing a child’s maturity and faith when choosing a college, with Pastor Jeff advocating for supporting Christian schools financially but not secular ones if the child isn’t pursuing holiness.
• 00:30:26 - 00:33:12: The conversation shifts to future episode topics, teasing a potential discussion or debate on pietism and Christian hedonism, with a focus on their impact on the church.
• 00:33:56 - 00:36:56: Pietism is briefly defined as focusing on inward spirituality at the expense of engaging with worldly issues, with historical context provided. The hosts also touch on Quakerism’s historical activism and decline.
• 00:38:01 - 00:40:51: The episode concludes with a call to prioritize Christian education over secular alternatives and a teaser for the next episode on no-fault divorce in New Jersey, highlighting how it strips parents of control over their child’s education.