A Discussion of Rules

by clay on August 13, 2009

After my last post (a book review of The Unlikely Disciple) I had a chat conversation with a friend from my hometown about my take on rules imposed on some college students. First, I’ll quote myself (the only time I’ll ever get quoted) from my previous article.

I understand from first hand experience that the rules can sometimes be bothersome. My response to that is tough. People who attend Christian colleges that have these rules in place can either live with it, or move on. You choose to attend, you choose to follow the rules. Don’t get upset when you get caught breaking those rules intentionally, and don’t get angry that you get punished for it.

I want to expand on that a bit. The rules that are typically in place are about things that we should be doing anyway. No, there is nothing in the Bible about having a curfew, but if we’re honest with each other, not much good comes from being out that late. As for the rules about drinking, smoking, etc., it’s their university. If those are the rules that they choose to institute, that is their decision.

Maybe I’m too hardline about it, but students who attend Liberty, SAGU, or any other university know the rules going in and sign a statement saying they will follow them. If you don’t agree with them, attend a different school. I’ve had someone say to me before “what if that is where their parents are forcing them to go, and if they leave then their parents won’t pay for it anymore?” My answer to that is suck it up. If doing the things that are verboten in the rules are more important to you than your parents paying for your education, attend a different school and pay for it yourself.

My friend who I was chatting with said that he felt that the rules contributed to legalism. I disagree, if only for the reason that I never looked at those rules as a big deal. Yes, I had to wear collared shirts and long pants to class every day. I had to attend chapel every day (which, by the way, Liberty students have it easy, having convocation three days a week), had to attend church somewhere, and had to go to dorm devotionals on Thursday. How are these things bad for me?

I couldn’t let my hair grow out long, grow facial hair during the semester, or dye it pink. I couldn’t drink, smoke, have sex, swear, or show lots of affection to someone I wasn’t married to. Tell me again why, as a Christian, I need to do these things?

I would love to discuss this more. Those of you who have attended colleges like Liberty or SAGU, what do you think? Those of you who haven’t, I want your opinion too. Are the rules unnecessary, outdated, and wrong?

  • Alex W

    In hindsight, I wish there would have been more rules at my university. I just turned 18 when I stepped on my college campus with 50k other students. Due to my situation, I did have some rules that governed academics, study hall, and behavior. I saw many very bright people who failed out due to them having little self control in the form of good habits, guidance, direction, and faith. Perhaps rules would have helped them greatly as well.

    I think Christian Universities should hold themselves to a higher standard. We are not perfect after receiving Christ, but we should strive to follow his teaching as closely as possible. Rules assist us keeping on track and help build good habits. Good habits result in good results in many ways and fashions. 18-21 is a very susceptible age. At that age, we think we know everything. In reality, we “don’t have any idea of what we don’t know”. If you’re 18-21 and in school now, and don’t like rules, just wait until you leave that campus. Rules and laws are present in your life, occupation, and free time.

  • Amy

    I think the rules are a good idea. There is potential for flaws about them being uniformly administered. But overall, the rules that the Christian university that I attended had in place were sensible.

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