Wrestling with a Separatist Past

Institutional histories are tricky … especially when it’s fairly recent history. I and Mark Norris, a colleague in the history department here at Grace College, are working on an edited volume about the history of the college and seminary. I’ve been wrestling with the 1960s and 1970s, a time when Grace Seminary took a decidedly neo-fundamentalist turn. I had always known about Grace’s fundamentalist heritage, but had not realized that popular personalities, such as John Whitcomb (left), helped to steer the institution in such a separatist direction. Whitcomb, with his dogmatic young earth creationism, “second-degree” separationism, and fatalistic assumptions about slippery slopes had all the hallmarks of fundamentalism during this era. Eventually, Whitcomb's critical attitudes became problematic for others at Grace and he became estranged from the seminary where he taught for many years.

The challenge, since many of these of individuals are still around, is to nuance the narrative in a way that is charitable, balanced, and gracious, while not shying away from the unflattering attitudes of separatism. To complicate matters further, this book is meant in part to commemorate the institution’s 75th anniversary. I have found Grace College to be a great place to work and I cannot say enough positive things about it. Fortunately, we have moved beyond the fundamentalist excesses of the past. So I am excited about celebrating the institution’s history. But I do feel compelled, as a critical historian, to help provide a sense of historical consciousness that acknowledges and probes the uncomfortable tensions and controversies of the past. Not surprisingly, it is proving to be a challenging balancing act!

1 comment:

  1. Prior to reading this blog, I did know of Grace’s fundamentalist past; however, I did not realize this history included “second-degree” separationism. After reading this, I realize that I know very little of the Grace College and Grace Seminary heritage. I look forward to reading the edited addition regarding Grace’s history. I am curious as to when it will be available. Finally, I appreciate you wrestling with presenting the narrative in a way that “is charitable, balance, and gracious” while not moving away from the historical truth or “candy coating” the material. I cannot wait to read it and learn more about the historical past of Grace College.

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