Has the Glory of the Lord Departed from Wheaton?

By: Lisa Van Houten

Wheaton College built a reputation of Christian conviction and Biblical scholarship, producing some of the most highly regarded and boldest Christian witnesses of the last century.  It’s alumni include Billy Graham; missionaries Jim and Elizabeth Elliott; and Pastor John Piper.

However, Wheaton’s once sterling reputation has become tarnished as their convictional courage of the past has given way to cowardly capitulation to the ideological voices of the world. That was on full display in recent weeks after Wheaton posted a social media message offering congratulations and prayers to one of their alumni, Russell Vought, for his confirmation to the prestigious position of Director of the Office of Management and Budget in the Trump administration.  Wheaton has done the same for other notable alumni. The post simply stated: “Wheaton College congratulates and prays for 1998 graduate Russell Vought regarding his senatorial confirmation to serve as the White House Director of the Office of Management and Budget!” 

Yet that was obviously too much for the leftist alumni Wheaton has been producing who flooded the post with rage-filled comments, berating the Christian college for congratulating a “fascist” Trump administration official.  So, what was Wheaton’s response?  Did they condemn the malicious comments and rebuke their alumni for their unchristian behavior? No, instead Wheaton deleted their own post about Russell Vought and in essence apologized for offering prayers and congratulations to this Christian brother, stating: On Friday, Wheaton College posted a congratulations and a call to prayer for an alumnus who received confirmation to a White House post. The recognition and prayer is something we would typically do for any graduate who reached that level of government. However, the political situation surrounding the appointment led to a significant concern expressed online. It was not our intention to embroil the College in a political discussion or dispute. Our institutional and theological commitments are clear that the College, as a non-profit institution, does not make political endorsements.  Wheaton College’s focus is on Christ and His Kingdom.

This nonsense apology capitulating to the progressive mob is both cowardly and dishonest.  There was nothing in Wheaton’s original post that was a political endorsement; in fact, the apology began by stating that this is something the college typically does for government officials – so why is Vought any different?  The difference is that Wheaton has been drifting away from it’s Christian moorings, allowing unbiblical, leftist ideologies to creep into the once stalwart college.  And in so doing, has shown more fear of offending man, than God. As Mollie Hemingway stated: “If Wheaton bends the knee in response to intolerant mobs of the left on something like *encouraging prayer for a prominent alum*, you have to wonder how well they’re preparing students for a hostile world that hates the Gospel.”

That is a great question to ask considering that for years Wheaton has welcomed Godless ideology into the college, such as offering classes in Marxist critical race theory and employing professors who advocate for universal salvation, which denies the very heart of the Gospel, that salvation is through Christ alone. The college has also hosted questionable speakers in recent years, including a speaker on race who gave a profanity-ridden, sexually explicit talk, derided Biblical teachings, and asserted that to be white is to be racist. And in another example of the theological rot at Wheaton, Professor Mark Yarhouse, director of the Sexual and Gender Identity Institute, has advocated for assisting gender confused children to pursue transgenderism and opposed legislation which would prohibit the prescription of puberty blockers and cross-gender hormones for minors. A faithful Christian cannot promote that which is in direct opposition to the teaching of Scripture that it is God who determines our gender and to deny that is to rebel against our Creator.

Wheaton can point to their bold and Biblical Statement of Faith, originally written in 1924, but those principles articulated on paper are not being put into practice under the current leadership. If they were, Wheaton wouldn’t have qualms about heeding the scriptural command to pray for those in authority and “all who are in high positions.” (I Timothy 2:1-2, ESV)  In a letter calling on Wheaton to return to its previous faithfulness, concerned alumni of Wheaton write: “Christian students and parents want a college that will shape them into the kinds of countercultural people who will walk boldly into the wind in the strength of Christ, wherever He leads them.”

One of those bold Christians is Russell Vought, who will bring his Christian influence into our nation’s government.  You may remember Vought also served in Trump’s first administration and, at that time, was berated by Senator Bernie Sanders because Vought expressed the Christian doctrine that belief in Jesus Christ is the only way for salvation.  Sanders attacked his faith, stating that Vought was “really not someone who this country is supposed to be about.”  Perhaps Wheaton agrees with Bernie Sanders.

When Billy Graham spoke at the dedication of Wheaton’s Billy Graham Center in 1980, he charged its leaders to maintain a zeal for the biblical gospel and warned, “If the leaders of a future generation take any other path may they be, as the Apostle Paul said to the Galatians, accursed, because ‘Ichabod’ [the glory of the Lord has departed] will be written on this place.”

Urge Wheaton College to return to Biblical faithfulness.  Email Dr. Philip G. Ryken, President: presidents.office@wheaton.edu

Below is a sample letter or, even better, express your concern in your own words.

Wheaton College built a reputation of Christian conviction and Biblical scholarship.  However, Wheaton’s once sterling reputation has become tarnished as you’ve capitulated to Godless ideologies – including Marxist CRT and LGBT affirmation. Your recent retraction of congratulations and prayers to Wheaton alumnus and brother in Christ, Russell Vought, is just one of many examples of alignment with the world, instead of obedience to God’s Word. (I Tim. 2:1-2)  How can you prepare students to build Christ’s Kingdom, when you bow to principalities of this age?

Billy Graham warned Wheaton, “If the leaders of a future generation take any other path may they be, as the Apostle Paul said to the Galatians, accursed, because ‘Ichabod’ will be written on this place.”  Will you continue to allow the glory of the Lord to depart from Wheaton or will you steer this once stalwart college back on the path of faithfulness?

[Photo credit:  Not the Bee]

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