What's better Biblically a Trade School or College

Hi Jy'Quan,

I agree with what Greg (sermonindex) wrote. There are places where you can earn trade certification. In fact, in some cases, you don't even need to attend a school for this but earn it through apprenticeship opportunities (and these opportunities vary from state-to-state).

I think that the most important thing is to pray about what vocation the Lord may be leading you into. Trades are limited to vocations that do not require a four-year college degree. They can lead to good careers that can provide for you and your family as well as help you give back to the Lord.

My wife and I both attended secular universities. We've earned multiple (including post-graduate) degrees. While college certainly had things that were contrary to our faith in Christ, we both thrived in our faith during college. We were part of a Christian student organization that had meetings every week (and other college students were finding Christ as those meetings).

However, certain courses at the university certainly taught things that are contrary to God's Word. During my science and engineering courses, I always kept in mind that the lessons were taught from this perspective.

And, of course, many of the humanities courses (including sociology, psychology, political science, history, art, etc.) were mostly taught by professors who skewed toward an anti-Biblical views. I maintained my faith throughout all of those courses (because some are required). However, I also actively sought out professors in such courses who weren't as egregious with their anti-Biblical humanism than others.

In fact, I had several professors who were Christians. I had an advanced Physics professor who also taught Sunday School at the church located across the street from the university. I always prayed about making my schedule for each semester. I also looked up those professors' website in their respective departments. I even consulted outside websites (like RateMyProfessors) to see if I could get a better understanding of what that professor would be like.

We are in this world but not of this world. While your time in a trade school, college or university will place you in proximity to the world, this is true even after you finish. The importance is that we stay true to the faith. We should always maintain our belief in (and love for) Christ.

There are plenty of temptations of the flesh in the university. The most dangerous isn't the enticements of the flesh but the temptation to rationalize the faith, become prideful or accommodate (in our minds) the sins of this fallen world.

One of those most important anecdotes in the Bible is the rise and fall of Solomon. Here is a man who saw the Lord twice. He built the Temple. He sought for wisdom. He became exceptionally wise and discerning. He prospered enormously.

Yet, somewhere in the later part of his life, he gave into things that were in opposition to God. He married Pharaoh's daughter (probably because it seemed like the 'wise' thing to do). He went on to have many wives and concubines (something the Law of Moses forbade). Eventually, Solomon sought to appease those wives. He built altars to their gods and even bowed down to them.

Everything that we read about Israel after Solomon is a direct result of Solomon's downfall. The kingdom of Israel split with the ten tribes of Israel in rebellion. Israel quickly fell into idolatry -- forsaking the Living God for false gods. Judah eventually fell into sin too. We read about some godly kings who walked in the ways of David; but, most didn't tear down the high places around the kingdom (used for idolatry by the people).

Israel's fall -- and eventual captivity -- can be traced directly to "wise" Solomon's sins. So, I agree that this can be a danger to people who seek wisdom, learning and, of course, training and tools for a vocation. However, if you understand this going in, I believe that God can protect you from such a fall. Each day that I walked around campus, I saw the people as sheep having no shepherd. I was always aware of this. So, I maintained my faith and belief in Christ.

This reminds me of a sometimes-overlooked passage in Scripture. King Asa was the great-great-grandson of David and the great-grandson of Solomon. He set out to seek the LORD with all of his heart. In fact, there was a tremendous victory early in his reign in which armies had surrounded him but he trusted wholly in God.

Not long after, the prophet Azariah came and told him, "Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lord is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you abandon Him, He will abandon you" (2 Chronicles 15:1-5).

King Asa went about and tore down high places, cut down abominable images and ground idols into powder (2 Chronicles 15:8-19). He was an amazing guy!

Yet, during the peace that he achieved, Asa slowly stopped relying upon God. In order to maintain the peace that God had given him, he began making treaties (probably similar to how Solomon accepted Pharaoh's daughter as a wife). He had forgotten that God raises and tears down -- and that you need God just as much in times of peace as you do in times without peace.

The prophet Hanani came and rebuked King Asa for this. Hanani said, "Because you have relied on the king of Aram and have not relied on the Lord your God, for that reason the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim an immense army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, He handed them over to you. For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will have wars" (2 Chronicles 16:7-9).

Instead of repenting, he put Hanani in prison. Out of rage for Hanani's rebuke, the Bible says that Asa even mistreated some of his own people (verse 10). In fact, his feet became diseased. Instead of seeking God for help, his first (and only) thought was to consult learned physicians for help. Obviously, there is nothing wrong with doctors. However, he trusted in the doctors rather than crying out to the Lord first and throughout his affliction.

Brother, I cannot give the right advice to you. However, I would urge -- first and foremost -- that you prayerfully consider what it is that you should do.

I will also point out that some vocations require a college degree or trade certification. If you choose certain fields, you might need one or the other. However, it is also possible to thrive with God's help and guidance with neither. I know a man without a degree or trade certification that makes a very good living from a business that he started. Yet, he also attended business sessions to help him understand things like business practices and tax laws.

I will also point out that there are community colleges that operate somewhat differently from four-year schools. Most community colleges have trade school degree plans alongside traditional two-year opportunities that can be used toward four-year college degree plans. They are less-costly and often much more attainable (in terms of location).

I'll remember you in prayer too, Jy'Quan.