these young people experience is simply marvelous. To live together in a dormitory, to sing together in a quartet, choir, or chorus, to pray together, to be members of a Gospel team, to share burdens with one another, to be members of a Christian athletic team — these produce bonds of friendship which far out weigh the friendships formed in secular institutions.” We should not underestimate this very important influence of persons with whom we associate. I am more and more convinced that the college you attend marks you for life. There is no doubt about the fact that teachers exert a tremendous influence on their students. If young people from our churches attend secular schools, they cannot but be influenced in secular directions. According to a Dutch proverb, “ He who lives with cripples will learn to limp." An Italian proverb has it that “ He who lives with wolves will learn to howl.” But in contrast, Proverbs 13:20 asserts, “ He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.” 3. Significant Preparation for Life. What kind of school other than a Christian school can best train Christian young people for a Christian witness in this world? One of our most desperate needs in Christianity today is for well-trained Chris tians who can present Christ to a dying world that is looking for answers. We must prepare young people who are equipped to minister to a pagan society with its inverted values. Our culture is more concerned about air pollution than about moral pollution. It is more “ uptight” about the ecological problem of the “ garbage boom" than it is about the filth of pornography. Our society op poses the cancer of the lungs but gives very little attention to the cancer of the soul. There is a desperate need for more dedicated Christian workers who know the Word of God and can relate it to the world’s needs today. We need more well-trained pastors, directors of Christian edu cation, Christian journalists, missionaries, teachers in Christian and public grade schools, high schools, and colleges. We need Christian leaders in business, government, and industry. I am tremendously thankful to Biola and deeply gratefuly to God for the training I received at this school, a college that gave me a Scriptural perspec tive on life, a spiritual purpose in life, and a signifi cant preparation for life. But our job is not finished. We alumni must do more than be grateful. We must pray for Biola, promote Biola with our gifts, and publicize Biola to our young people. Christian colleges can continue to have a tre mendous spiritual impact on the world as we en courage our young people to gain a Christ-honoring education that will give them these same three values. This article is condensed from the message Dr. Zuck gave at the Biola Alumni Homecoming Banquet on February 21, 1970. A t the banquet Dr. Zuck was given the “Alumnus of the Year, 1970” award. 14
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