Although Calvin College is a good school, is it still sort of a "local college" ?
... in some regards for those who leave michigan and try to venture outside the Christian arena...ie trying to be a Christian teacher in a public school in california....as one example...I wonder if Calvin College is limited in terms of being known around the country in general as a excellent educational establishment. I know that in my case when I ventured into public education, people started exploring "where I came from" behind my back...this was just when internet was beginning so I don't know how much they got from "googling" or otherwise...but by and by I began to realize what some of my secular colleagues had decided about me...they somehow figured out I came from calvin college (somebody must have tipped them off...although I don't know how they could see my resume etc ...I thought that was confidential except for the principal et al...but then maybe the principal himself was the "leak")...and then they decided that I was one of those dreadful conservatives. In essence, outside of Christian circles, the seculars (ie those who went to large, non-sectarian universities, mostly liberals) decided I was NOT one of them due to where I went to school, and ex post facto, all my actions, decisions, comments, etc were interpreted thru this "false light" so to speak. Yes, I did go to Calvin College & was a member of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) but in general I was a moderate person and not a "mean conservative" , but once they decided who I was behind my back, that was my identity (in their eyes) ...and could not be changed.
Thus, in general, I wonder if calvin college is the best choice for those who try to become a "quiet Christian " in the secular world (ie continuing to live a Christian life, and being a Christian presence in the world without being overtly evangelical) outside of the midwest (inside the USA). Anywhere that liberalism reigns is going to be difficult for calvin college graduates to make an impact if the above scenario that happened to me repeats itself in other places.
My principal (at coachella valley high school), by the way, (not the one who hired me, who apparently DID approve of calvin college; but the new guy who came in after him), even thought the word "reformed" from Christian Reformed CHurch referred to "reform school" (ie school for juvenile delinquents). He was quite ignorant about the CRC history and the excellence of Calvin College. That's an example of the ignorance that abounds about so-called "conservative education" and the CRC and/or Calvin College in general in the secular sphere.
"And we know that in all things God works
for the good of those who love Him,..."
Romans 8.28
for the good of those who love Him,..."
Romans 8.28
