For generations, college was seen as a place where young adults sharpened their thinking, deepened their values, and prepared to lead in the real world. But in recent years, something has shifted. Many families are asking the same honest question: What happened to college?
The goal of education hasn’t just changed; in many places, it’s been completely redefined. And if we want to reclaim truth in higher education, we need to understand where that shift came from and how it’s showing up in today’s classrooms.
1. From Pursuing Truth to Pushing Ideology
The purpose of college was once to pursue wisdom and truth. But in many institutions today, education has become more about political formation than personal transformation. Students aren’t just learning facts and frameworks; they’re being shaped by ideologies that often oppose biblical values. In the humanities and social sciences, especially, classroom discussions are now filtered through the lens of power, identity, and oppression. Students are taught to deconstruct, not to build. To question faith, not strengthen it. And instead of promoting open inquiry, many campuses now create environments where dissenting views are quietly shut down.
2. The Influence of Cultural Marxism
This shift didn’t happen overnight. Behind the scenes, a new framework took root, one that finds its roots in Marxist and neo-Marxist thought. Thinkers like Freire, Gramsci, and Marcuse helped shape an educational model that isn’t neutral. It’s designed to challenge tradition, uproot authority, and redefine truth as something fluid and political. While this may sound abstract, the real-world impact is clear. Students are taught that America is an oppressive nation, that morality is subjective, and that biblical beliefs are outdated. Even Christian colleges have started adopting textbooks and training shaped by these ideas, sometimes without even realizing it.
3. Real Stories from Real Students
If you think this is an exaggeration, just talk to students.
We’ve heard from young adults who returned home from college feeling lost, angry, or ashamed of their faith. Some were mocked in class for defending biblical values. Others felt pressured to stay silent or pretend to agree, just to avoid being targeted or labeled. And many were never told how to engage culture from a place of both truth and grace. The result? A generation of students who are academically equipped but spiritually confused. They’ve been trained to think critically, but not biblically.
4. So What Do We Do?
The first step is awareness. Parents, pastors, and students need to understand the cultural moment we’re living in. College is still a powerful opportunity, but it must be approached with wisdom. Ask the right questions. Research a school’s values, not just what’s in the mission statement, but what’s happening in classrooms and student life. Look for schools that combine academic excellence with biblical orthodoxy.
Second, we need to recover the original purpose of education: to form both the mind and the soul. This means building Christian colleges that are unashamed of the gospel and unafraid of the culture. It means training students to think deeply, live boldly, and lead faithfully in every sphere of life.
And finally, we need to encourage students. Help them see that their faith is not a liability, it’s their foundation. Remind them they’re not alone, and that they can lead with truth and grace, even in environments that push back.
Final Thought
That is exactly why I wrote my new book, College Without Communism. It is a resource for anyone who wants to understand what is really happening in today’s universities and how to push back. This book equips students, families, and educators to spot dangerous ideologies, hold onto truth, and reclaim the purpose of education.
The future of Christian education depends on the decisions we make now. We don’t need to abandon college; we need to rebuild it. If we want a generation rooted in truth and ready to lead, we must be bold enough to ask hard questions, speak clearly, and invest in institutions that stand firm.
Truth is still worth defending. And college is still worth fighting for. Join the pre-launch list for College Without Communism at KentIngle.com and receive a sneak peek of the first two chapters.