Wheaton College

[barnhart]

What they are experiencing is tension between evangelical right and evangelical left.

This probably not resolvable in the current climate. One faction will gain the upper hand and the other will flee, leaving an unbalanced organization.

[Ken]

What they are experiencing is tension between evangelical right and evangelical left.

This probably not resolvable in the current climate. One faction will gain the upper hand and the other will flee, leaving an unbalanced organization.

And another example of why you can't serve two masters.

Unlike say Anabaptist colleges, Wheaton has always been a deeply political organization. This is nothing new. In fact the founder of Wheaton College, Jonathan Blanchard, was a political figure at that time and ran for president in 1884. They have a history of appointing prominent politicians to their board of trustees although more so wealthy corporate executives lately because that is where the money is. And many alumni have gone on to powerful political positions. Not just Vought. Disgraced former Speaker of the House Denny Hastert was a Wheaton alum (remember him?). As have been scores of other politically powerful people over the years.

[Tuvy]

I've heard similar stories about other Christian institutions, and it's always disappointing. Hopefully, the alumni push can make a difference and bring it back to its roots.

[Praxis+Theodicy]

From everything people have shared here, it looks like Wheaton hasn't actually drifted much at all. They've always had one for in the gospel and one foot in the corrupt political kingdoms of this world.

I have to wonder why some Christians really care what shade of worldly kingdom Wheaton is closer to reflecting. It seems that some are taking umbrage at the involvement in worldly political power over the gospel. Why are they being labelled "left"?

Is there an alum of Wheaton who is a prominent powerful figure in the political left of a worldly kingdom? No? Than why all this pretence about drift to the "left"? Some people want the gospel, some people want right-wing, authoritarian, political power. These two things aren't compatible. One or the other must be resisted.

[Ken]

Is there an alum of Wheaton who is a prominent powerful figure in the political left of a worldly kingdom? No? Than why all this pretence about drift to the "left"? Some people want the gospel, some people want right-wing, authoritarian, political power. These two things aren't compatible. One or the other must be resisted.

Long-time Seattle Democratic Congressman Jim McDermott was a Wheaton alum (class of 1958): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_McDermott

Although he was perhaps the exception to the trend.

[JohnL]

I would agree that Wheaton has indeed drifted if an alum helped draft Project 2025 and is serving in the president's cabinet.

I'm not sure it's fair to criticize a college on the basis on one alumnus. After all, people have gone to ultra-conservative Bible Schools and ended up in gay marriages. If there's a pattern of a significant number of people related to the college doing similar things, and the official communications have a pattern of supporting it, that's a different story.

Wheaton was never Anabaptist, CM. Not for one day.

Yes. What they are experiencing is tension between evangelical right and evangelical left.

Yep.

Biblical standards, not political affiliations, should shape the direction and hiring policies of a 'Christian institution'. The college's board members and teaching staff should be chosen from among those who support its purpose and doctrinal stance.

Not professional competence?
I've seen how this actually works in practice. At one "Christian Institution" I'm familiar with and where my wife was an affiliate faculty, prospective hires are just presented with a statement of doctrine to sign in which they indicate their agreement. Maybe they ask a softball question or two during the interview and that is it. It is like checking off any other of the blizzard of HR forms you deal with as a new hire.

you’re in the wrong place for gotcha games.

Double yep.