On Femininity and Education...

It is time to wake this blog up from its current state of hibernation, and I am aware that the topic for this post is slightly controversial.  All the better!  I have been involved in many conversations lately with acquaintances, friends, and family members who have questioned my interest in, and intention to apply to, New Saint Andrews College (NSA) in Moscow, Idaho.  The college's website describes the school best: "a self-governing non-profit institution for classical Christian post-secondary education, committed to the pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness in the light of the Holy Scriptures, under Christ’s sovereign authority, and to the advancement of Christ’s kingdom and Trinitarian culture. The College’s mission is to provide a rigorous classical Christian higher education from a distinctively Trinitarian perspective to equip the next generation for faithful cultural leadership in all vocations." 

In many of my conversations, I have been asked why I want to go to a college like this.  What good is an education in the liberal arts?  "Yes, it all sounds very nice, but what can you do with that?"

In other conversations, I have been asked why I want to pursue a college-level education at all.  Of what practical use is education (at this level) for my goals?  Again, "yes, it all sounds very nice, but what can you do with that?"

To continue, I must outline my goals:  I want to be a wife and mother.  I believe that God calls the majority of women to this occupation (Titus 2:5).

Martin Luther would tell you that there are two sides of a horse off which to fall.  Easy, indeed, to over correct and flip head-first off one side while everyone else is careening off the other.  Both sides are equally steep, and the ground is equally hard on both sides. 

However, I think the two camps that have questioned my plans (we'll call them the pro-career camp and the anti-career camp, both referring solely to women) have something in common, and while they are both leaning to one side or the other, they are being pulled downward by the same force.  They both underestimate the power of words.

So, let's look at the power of words.  Throughout history, throughout literature, and throughout Scripture, it is the man who has the ability to speak with persuasiveness and wisdom who owns the keys to the gates (and hearts).  It is the man who speaks with control, force, and discernment during political struggles who affects the course of history.  Beowulf was received by a foreign king because he spoke with adroitness and cunning.  Atticus Finch wins the hearts and minds of all who read To Kill a Mockingbird by presenting truth, plain and honest, in a winsome fashion.  It was Solomon who was blessed with wisdom from God, was praised for his answers in the court, and who (inspired by God) wrote about appropriately answering a fool (Proverbs 26:4-5).  This world was fashioned by words. Eve fell for a cunning argument (made up of words).  God punished the arrogance of man by confusing their words.  The Jews and Greeks stumbled not (entirely) over Christ's actions, but His words.  We are warned that we will be judged for our words.  We are told that our words have the power to build up or tear down our neighbor.  The ones who change the world will be the men with the greatest wisdom and command over words.

Let's all take a moment to look at the direct object in that last sentence: men.

My friends in the pro-career camp will choke right here.  Men?  Yes.    I sincerely believe that it is the duty of men to represent, fight for, and pursue justice.  It is the duty of women to help them, push them on, support them if they slip, and to educate future men to fight with the same fervor and impact.  I do not believe that God calls women to join the fight.  As I said, my goal is to be a wife and mother, and not get a career.  By saying that woman ought to enter the workforce, and that educating one's children is second-fiddle, I would reveal a lack of respect for education, and thereby, for words.

 My friends in both camps may still be scratching their heads at this point and wondering what this has to do with my college choice.  I want to pursue the knowledge of words, their use, their impact upon society, and their usefulness, so that  I can teach their use properly, and so that I can use them properly in my own relationships.  This knowledge is best found in the books and ideas that have changed the thought patterns of the world, seen through the lens of truth presented in Scripture.  This is what I will do at NSA. 

To my friends in the anti-career camp: I suggest to you that by surrendering higher education to those who educate the children of the world you give up one of the greatest weapons in your arsenal.  Some in the culture, oddly enough, recognize the power of words.  Our politicians survive by twisting and hurling words.  By teaching your children to use words with persuasiveness and discernment, you introduce a relevant power into the world, one with which the world will have an interesting time contending.  As Bringham Young (President of LDS Church...sorry) said,  “You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation.” 

If I have failed in persuading you, take that as proof that I really do need this education. 

God bless you!