Connections Archive

Exit: a significant sign. Exit signs open the way to freedom. Exit signs are the way out.

Many of us have been on an exit journey for the past four years. The journey has propelled us on Avondale's spiritual, intellectual and social roads--around corners, through give-way signs and traffic lights and down no through roads with many changes in speed. It has encompassed a myriad of lectures, assignments, relationships, events, sports, meals, spiritual feasts and holidays.
Is the education journey worthwhile?

Solomon says no. "For in much [human] wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow" (Ecclesiastes 1:18, Amplified Bible). Now if there is one thing nobody wants, it is an increase of sorrow. What do modern writers think? Malcolm Muggeridge (1903-1990) describes education as the "great mumbo-jumbo and fraud of the age" (Jesus rediscovered, 1969), while Duke of Wellington Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852) allegedly said, "Education without God makes us clever devils." What confronting imagery! Without God our education is useless. Muggeridge proceeds to say, "For the most part, [education] only serves to enlarge stupidity, inflate conceit, enhance credulity and put those subjected to it, at the mercy of brain-washers . . . ."

All forms of study and attempts by human intellect alone to understand the universe and its intricacies are pointless and meaningless. Avondale inspires its students to elevate and merge their intellects with divine intellect for ultimate achievement and success. Avondale emphasises we are only someone because Jesus is the all glorious Someone.

Thank you, Avondale. We will take the great intellectual Light with our intellectual light, continue our journey and exit into the ether of life's experiences. Exit day: Sunday, December 2, 2007.