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Fish Out of Water
“From the perspective of a parent with college-age children, I thank Abby Nye for confronting us so boldly with the reality of what Christian students face in the secular world of academia. Children need to be prepared for this experience — or they need to avoid it” —Joseph Farah, editor and C.E.O., WorldNewDaily.com So you’re ready for the next chapter in your life?. Well, if you are a Christian heading to campus for the first time, there are several things you need to know about living your faith while surrounded by atheistic professors. Abby Nye has written a fantastic guide for college students who find their faith and values under assault from day one. Learn just what to expect, and how to navigate through classes while maintaining a good GPA and a positive college experience. Abby prepares new freshman (and even seasoned students!) to be able to survive and thrive in this often hostile setting. Among the topics she This book is truly a must reading for students embarking for any college - a valuable handbook for parents, teachers, and students alike.
240 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 28, 2018
This is intended as a gentler approach to culture shock (from conservative Christian schooling to secular college) than jumping into college cold-turkey. Because the author is coming from a conservative approach, it does make the points easier to digest. She exposes many of the struggles that she had entering college as a freshman and the blatant immorality that blasted her.
I would say, though, that from individuals that I personally know, Abby’s experience isn’t what all conservatives face going to college—much of it depends on the institution that the student attends. Maybe it’s just me as a southern gal speaking, because most of the colleges she cited were northern/western colleges. Some campuses are definitely more in the left field than others.
I would have a hard time handing this book to an ultra conservative 18-year-old, as there will be some big moral shockers in there (or, should I say, lack of morals expounded upon?). I could definitely recommend it to parents of said teens, and recommend them use their discernment—it could even be a good tool to spark discussion and help the teen be prepared what to expect from some colleges (I mean, if kids are going to be exposed to blatant immorality on campus, it’s better to be prepared and know what is truth than to have someone present sin as truth and undermine and discount God’s Word).
I was hoping for a few more ideas on exactly how to defend one’s faith in the classroom. Abby did offer a great pep-talk and reassurance that others are there in difficult situations too. She did bring a good perspective as to the attitude one should have. It was more of a “Definitely stand up for truth, do follow God’s leading, be polite, smile, be friendly” than an exposition on what is actually truth. I suppose that is what the list of resources are for in the back.
Overall, it was a good, engaging read. It brings a greater awareness of the difficulty it can be to live godly in this world we live in.
I would say, though, that from individuals that I personally know, Abby’s experience isn’t what all conservatives face going to college—much of it depends on the institution that the student attends. Maybe it’s just me as a southern gal speaking, because most of the colleges she cited were northern/western colleges. Some campuses are definitely more in the left field than others.
I would have a hard time handing this book to an ultra conservative 18-year-old, as there will be some big moral shockers in there (or, should I say, lack of morals expounded upon?). I could definitely recommend it to parents of said teens, and recommend them use their discernment—it could even be a good tool to spark discussion and help the teen be prepared what to expect from some colleges (I mean, if kids are going to be exposed to blatant immorality on campus, it’s better to be prepared and know what is truth than to have someone present sin as truth and undermine and discount God’s Word).
I was hoping for a few more ideas on exactly how to defend one’s faith in the classroom. Abby did offer a great pep-talk and reassurance that others are there in difficult situations too. She did bring a good perspective as to the attitude one should have. It was more of a “Definitely stand up for truth, do follow God’s leading, be polite, smile, be friendly” than an exposition on what is actually truth. I suppose that is what the list of resources are for in the back.
Overall, it was a good, engaging read. It brings a greater awareness of the difficulty it can be to live godly in this world we live in.
August 18, 2017
I thought this book would be encouraging, enlightening, or at least helpful. It was all three of those things, but only a little.
Abby said Jesus' grace could get you through the struggles of college, but her testimony sounded like it had a lot more loneliness in it than joy. Abby talked about a lot of things that were really awful about living on a secular campus, but not much of it was anything I didn't already expect. Abby said that she used "apologetics" to refute her secular classmates and professors, but there were many times I wanted to know WHAT apologetics she used.
All in all, the book was okay. Mildly helpful and maybe slightly discouraging, I think the best part of it was also the worst part: Abby seemed to feel alone through most of the experiences she recounted. Now that I've seen that, maybe I won't feel alone in my aloneness when I hit campus next week.
Abby said Jesus' grace could get you through the struggles of college, but her testimony sounded like it had a lot more loneliness in it than joy. Abby talked about a lot of things that were really awful about living on a secular campus, but not much of it was anything I didn't already expect. Abby said that she used "apologetics" to refute her secular classmates and professors, but there were many times I wanted to know WHAT apologetics she used.
All in all, the book was okay. Mildly helpful and maybe slightly discouraging, I think the best part of it was also the worst part: Abby seemed to feel alone through most of the experiences she recounted. Now that I've seen that, maybe I won't feel alone in my aloneness when I hit campus next week.
December 26, 2015
An eye-opening read that helps equip Christian college students studying at secular universities.
July 28, 2016
This was a tough book to get through and there aren't enough reviews on it! Abby Nye wrote and published this when she was just a junior in college, and taking that into account it's a major achievement. She recorded her experiences as they happened which makes her account of Freshman Orientation new and relevant. I'm reading this as an incoming sophomore, coincidentally at the same college she graduated from. That being the case, she does not view our school in the best light, which is probably why it remains unnamed.
She presents some very tough situations she faced as a "conservative Christian on a secular campus." This being the case, the "conservative" part really comes into play in her narrative. When reading this book, it's easy to see that Nye has a lot of guts and nerve to speak out as she did in her more liberal classrooms. I myself am not politically conservative, but more moderate or liberal and that point of view really comes under fire. At some points, Nye makes it seem like these two things are mutually exclusive. Looking back on my freshman year, though, what she says is all too relevant. The conservative Christian may be completely unprepared for what the next year has in store, and she provides strategies for the times where a student may need to defend their beliefs against professors and the "intolerant tolerance" of their fellow students--useful for Christians with any views.
Nye accurately points out deep flaws in the "diversity" secular schools are trying to create. This diversity excludes the views of traditional Christianity. Nye pinpoints the fact that secular schools, under the guise of "political correctness," are indoctrinating the idea of moral relativism into students. This directly clashes with the Christian belief in moral absolutes which come from God Himself, and sometimes professors won't accept the Bible as a viable source for a graded assignment.
I give this book a mere three stars because Nye fails to be completely objective. Her passion turns into plain anger as she vents onto the pages. Saying things like "agreeing to disagree" "defames" Christianity is over the top. There is a right place and time for everything and smiling at a professor when arguing with him would make him want to smack you rather than seriously listen to you, so I regard that as bad advice. Additionally, the book as a whole reads like you will constantly be under attack on campus. While you need to be prepared to defend your beliefs, I don't think that's necessarily true--I only had problems like that in one of my classes the whole year, and I chose not to turn them into complete arguments just for the sake of the "peace of mind" Nye desired when she took an argument to a department head.
That being said, I still think it's worth reading for young Christians who need some encouragement that they are not alone on their secular campus and they are not wrong just because they are a minority there. Also, perhaps for parents of young people trying to decide between a secular school and a Christian school. I personally feel re-fueled and ready to start my next year, and I went through the book with a highlighter so I can easily find the most relevant points for future reference. As the title states, a Christian on a secular campus is indeed a "fish out of water."
She presents some very tough situations she faced as a "conservative Christian on a secular campus." This being the case, the "conservative" part really comes into play in her narrative. When reading this book, it's easy to see that Nye has a lot of guts and nerve to speak out as she did in her more liberal classrooms. I myself am not politically conservative, but more moderate or liberal and that point of view really comes under fire. At some points, Nye makes it seem like these two things are mutually exclusive. Looking back on my freshman year, though, what she says is all too relevant. The conservative Christian may be completely unprepared for what the next year has in store, and she provides strategies for the times where a student may need to defend their beliefs against professors and the "intolerant tolerance" of their fellow students--useful for Christians with any views.
Nye accurately points out deep flaws in the "diversity" secular schools are trying to create. This diversity excludes the views of traditional Christianity. Nye pinpoints the fact that secular schools, under the guise of "political correctness," are indoctrinating the idea of moral relativism into students. This directly clashes with the Christian belief in moral absolutes which come from God Himself, and sometimes professors won't accept the Bible as a viable source for a graded assignment.
I give this book a mere three stars because Nye fails to be completely objective. Her passion turns into plain anger as she vents onto the pages. Saying things like "agreeing to disagree" "defames" Christianity is over the top. There is a right place and time for everything and smiling at a professor when arguing with him would make him want to smack you rather than seriously listen to you, so I regard that as bad advice. Additionally, the book as a whole reads like you will constantly be under attack on campus. While you need to be prepared to defend your beliefs, I don't think that's necessarily true--I only had problems like that in one of my classes the whole year, and I chose not to turn them into complete arguments just for the sake of the "peace of mind" Nye desired when she took an argument to a department head.
That being said, I still think it's worth reading for young Christians who need some encouragement that they are not alone on their secular campus and they are not wrong just because they are a minority there. Also, perhaps for parents of young people trying to decide between a secular school and a Christian school. I personally feel re-fueled and ready to start my next year, and I went through the book with a highlighter so I can easily find the most relevant points for future reference. As the title states, a Christian on a secular campus is indeed a "fish out of water."
November 12, 2011
I'm reviewing this for free as a Goodreads First Read book.
Somewhat interesting advice buried in the book, but isn't worth sitting down to thoroughly read (just skim for the content). However, this book is written to strongly support Christian values as if they are under attack by the college. It reads like an after school special, describing a series of sitcom-esque worst case scenarios that are (according to the frequency they appear in book) common. I was hoping for a thoughtful, well-reasoned discussion on what being Christian on a non-Christian campus means and how to reconcile that to form a balanced life. Instead, the book continuously cites missed opportunities for open conversation that conclude with all the fault on the non-Christian faculty/students/environment. There are no stories where that communication failure is the responsibility of both sides of the conversation (and the book simultaneously implying that the 'regular' members of your secular campus are drunken, intolerant sex fiends). There is some good advice buried deep within the book, but I believe that college is the time to broaden your horizons and grow, not to cling to your roots and close your eyes.
Somewhat interesting advice buried in the book, but isn't worth sitting down to thoroughly read (just skim for the content). However, this book is written to strongly support Christian values as if they are under attack by the college. It reads like an after school special, describing a series of sitcom-esque worst case scenarios that are (according to the frequency they appear in book) common. I was hoping for a thoughtful, well-reasoned discussion on what being Christian on a non-Christian campus means and how to reconcile that to form a balanced life. Instead, the book continuously cites missed opportunities for open conversation that conclude with all the fault on the non-Christian faculty/students/environment. There are no stories where that communication failure is the responsibility of both sides of the conversation (and the book simultaneously implying that the 'regular' members of your secular campus are drunken, intolerant sex fiends). There is some good advice buried deep within the book, but I believe that college is the time to broaden your horizons and grow, not to cling to your roots and close your eyes.
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November 7, 2016When I first started reading this book, I found it very boring. I never thought about how hard it would be to stand firm in your faith as a Christian on a secular college campus. I don't think this book left out one detail concerning the difficulties and struggles of remaining a godly mindset in a place where God is not the mindset. This book has definitely given me a new mindset as far as the determination of staying true to myself going into a secular college (If so).
June 30, 2011
This was very a very interesting read. She definitely had a unique and updated perspective on college life today. Her story of Freshman Orientation was stunning. We just took campus tours and registered for classes and went over all the required course work. I am really OLD!
January 19, 2017
Really inspirational! I love the ideas from Nye and the people who wrote her letters that only inspire others and their choices for college-life. I admire her way with words that grabbed my attention to what's really going on with campuses today.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews