Plantinga - Chapter 5

Plantinga’s discussion of college reminded me very much of C.S. Lewis’ “English Syllabus.” Lewis urged us to pursue education not for the sake of acquiring education, but for the sake of knowledge itself. In Chapter 5, Plantinga takes a similar stand. He urges us to not see our education only as a degree that will make us more employable, but to see our education as the opportunity to prepare for our vocation. “The full value of your education is that it will help you find and prepare your vocation.” Our attitude towards our education should glorify God. We are called to apply ourselves in college because our focus is on the Kingdom of God. Because we desire the Kingdom of God to come, we prepare for prime citizenship through our education.

I think Lewis and Plantinga both address students’ view of their education because they see the easy trap students fall into. Today a much higher percentage of students attend college than 100 years ago. Students may begin to view college as “the normal” course of things and the mandatory next step in their education. We may begin to value education for what it will procure us: a degree and employment. But both of these things are so temporary. As humans, we once again fall into the trap of keeping our focus on things that are temporary. Yet Lewis and Plantinga understand that our education has a far more significant and eternal dimension. Through our education we grow as individuals. We are challenged, pushed, criticized, and praised. We learn how to think, not just what to think (in fact what we think will likely change over time). We learn how to engage in God’s world and what our place is as humans in God’s world.

A “good citizen” will appreciate his education, but fail to truly view it in the eternal perspective and in light of God’s Kingdom. A “prime citizen” engages in his education and sees its value in light of eternity. Ultimately, we must be cautious to not fall into apathy and be careful not to become jaded, both in our education and in our role as citizens of heaven.