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Ligon Duncan has a helpful article here regarding Wheaton College President Philip Ryken and “the importance of this inauguration as a significant moment in the history of evangelicalism in our time.”

Here’s an excerpt:

A few months ago Joel Belz of World asked Phil if Wheaton still deserved the reputation of being the flagship institution of evangelicalism. Phil’s answer was deft and succinct: “By the grace of God, Wheaton continues to set a high standard of excellence in Christian liberal arts education. Wheaton is also a definitional institution. People both inside and outside the evangelical community look to the college for clarity about what it means to be evangelical. Although we do not claim a position of leadership for ourselves, we do seek to provide leadership where it is looked for.” I do not believe that answer could be improved upon. Not a syllable is wasted. It is indicative of Phil’s humility and his determination to promote a strong institutional self-understanding and humility. It was clear throughout the inaugural festivities that Phil intends that Wheaton be clear about who she is, what her role is, what her mission is, and what her accountabilities and responsibilities are. Even the title of his inaugural address captures this: “A World Servant in Christian Liberal Arts Education.” Don’t miss the word servant—it is not a mere slogan in the lexicon of Wheaton’s new president but a concrete aspiration. It is also clear that Phil will not be satisfied with a reductionist or ambiguous or atheological definition of evangelicalism.

And at Ref21 Duncan writes, in part:

The whole Wheaton family seems to know what a special man their new president is. They certainly seem to know that he genuinely loves them and cherishes the institution. Wheaton is led by a loving shepherd, with a rock solid commitment to historic Christian orthodoxy, a capacious intellect, a voracious appetite for knowledge, a prodigious literary output, a knack for acute cultural observation (as well as timely, bold and gracious engagement), an almost genetic understanding of the mission of liberal arts education, a commitment to what he (aptly) calls the reintegration of faith and learning, and a vision for deploying Wheaton’s resources “for Christ and his kingdom” globally.

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