The Death of Multnomah University

The Death of Multnomah University
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 by Dr. James W. Walraven

Today is a very sad day. Multnomah University has officially announced that it has ceased to exist as an independent school. As publicized today, and taking effect immediately, Multnomah has merged with Jessup University located in Rocklin, CA, and will henceforth be known as The Multnomah Campus of Jessup University.

Multnomah heralds this as the next step, and even remark how “we have discovered remarkable unity even amid our differences.” What it means going forward is not clear, except that it looks like many changes are coming, possibly even to Bible and seminary curriculum.

The announcement discloses how much trouble Multnomah was in, citing “growing financial challenges, declining enrollment, and economic uncertainties across higher education.” Most telling: “It was no longer financially feasible for Multnomah University to operate as an independent institution.” They add that they are “thankful to be in a position to pursue interdependence.”

As for Jessup’s statement of faith, what is stated is biblically orthodox and ok, but it strikes me as vague and incomplete on a number of issues. It is nowhere near as robust as Multnomah’s statement of faith under Dr. Mitchell, and his true heirs. Jessup appears to be just another liberal arts Christian college: one could argue that is what Multnomah had gradually become over the last decade plus.

I suspect in keeping with the forthcoming change, about a week ago Multnomah adopted a new missions statement. Taken from the school’s official website it reads, “Compelled by the love of Christ, we integrate biblical wisdom with academic and professional excellence to engage humbly in God’s redemptive work in the world.” While it is a well-crafted corporate-speak mission statement, it allows one to abandon any sense of biblical fealty. In terms of holding to biblical truth, it says nothing. However, it does provide some nice postmodern warm fuzzies.

I can’t help but think that a major portion of Multnomah’s problems relates to the loss of biblical direction. I had followed developments at Multnomah over the past decade, and biblically speaking, most of what I was seeing was discouraging. The school has been biblically drifting for some time. When I attended, from 1998–2002, it was humorously known as “Dallas Theological Seminary West.” Those days are long gone. One of the lowest points was finding out that a former student who dared to oppose abortion had been banned from one of their website forums by then-current students.

Taking a step back, given where Multnomah had been heading, its demise was probably inevitable. God doesn’t need any particular school, university, or even church denomination. We’ve seen history repeat over and over: when a church or group loses its way biblically, God sees to it that it either ceases to exist or at least loses its spiritual authority and power that it had through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

On a positive note, I would like to express my gratitude for my time spent at Multnomah during its better days. I cannot begin to say how much I’ve appreciated the opportunity to study under the godly men and women that taught at that school.

I do need to make special mention of at least a few of the faculty and their impact on my life. First, Dr. Calvin Blom helped ignite my passion for serious academic study (as did Dr. Paul Metzger), and the topic of worship in particular (that was key for my future doctoral studies).

Second, there was Dr. John Wecks. A statement he made has stayed with me and taken on ever increasing importance. He remarked in class that his critics said he was a bibliophile. He went on to state that he wore that label proudly. In my ongoing studies, along with blogging on contemporary issues and apologetics, I’ve seen shipwreck after shipwreck due to something else being made equal to, or elevated above, Scripture. His Bible Study Methods class was vital.

Third, I’d like to acknowledge Carley Wecks. Given my eyesight limitations, I’d been amazed that by God’s grace I’d even made it through Multnomah (and all the more that I had excelled). As graduation neared, it seemed like God was saying that I needed to go on and do doctoral work. For obvious reasons, that made no sense to me. Yet, that was exactly what God wanted me to do, and Carley Wecks helped me to realize that (as did Dr. Paul Metzger).

Finally, I need to give an honorable mention to Dr. Ron Frost and his ethics class. He was the first—others would follow—to get me interested in reading the historical writings of the church, something I’d do far more of if I had normal eyesight.

I’m also thankful for other students I met while there, or have met since. I co-pastor a small church with a very good friend from my Multnomah days—our personalities are as opposite as one could imagine—Dave Kinder. I’ve also been thankful to stay in touch with Neil Patton, whom God has blessed tremendously musically. Then there’s Dr. David Steele, a Multnomah graduate I’ve come to know and appreciate via Facebook.

Thus, I have many good memories, but it remains a sad day, as the Multnomah I once knew, long a shell of its former self, is now officially no more.

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