From Nancy Pearcey: (yes, the one who supposedly converted US prez hopeful Michele Bachman to “dominionism”)
A fascinating study by Fuller Theological Seminary identified the major factors in whether teens from Christian homes lose or retain their convictions when they go off to college. Surprisingly, the most significant factor is not whether the students join a church or campus Bible study. It is whether they work through their doubts and questions.
In other words, the students who survive are those who develop independent thinking. The researchers concluded, “Students who had the opportunity to struggle with tough questions and pain during high school seemed to have a healthier transition into college life.”
Powell pointed out a significant finding from the initial study. “One of the most interesting findings from that pilot project was the importance of doubt in a student’s faith maturity. The more college students felt that they had the opportunity to express their doubt while they were in high school, the higher levels of faith maturity and spiritual maturity [they had].”
“Whether it was with the youth group overall or with a specific adult leader, students who had the opportunity to struggle with tough questions and pain during high school seemed to have a healthier transition into college life,” stated the study by Powell and Krista Kubiak, youth worker and graduate of the Marriage and Family program at Fuller
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