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Calvin College remains devoted to doctrinal orthodoxy, and most faculty oppose abortion and gay marriage. But significant historical and theological factors at Calvin cut against the grain of popular evangelicalism. In particular, the high-church tradition of the Christian Reformed Church looks skeptically on revivalism and independent congregationalism. "This community, in regard to evangelicals," Carpenter said, "has always been 'Yes, but … '"

At this point, no one can be certain what long-term impact Bush's visit will have on Calvin. Much will depend on what the President chooses to say. To be sure, the debates will continue.

"The first three or four weeks [after announcing Bush's visit], alumni with more liberal political views vowed to never give another dollar or encourage their children to come [to Calvin]," Carpenter said. "Now that some of our faculty have been voicing dissent with Bush's views, alumni with more conservative political views are vowing the same thing. I tell you, it feels like a crossfire. I think it goes to show, sadly, how deeply divided our country is on matters of religion and politics."

Collin Hansen is assistant editor of Christianity Today.

Copyright © 2005 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Other media coverage of Bush's visit includes:

Calvin professors speak out against Bush visit | In a full-page advertisement that will run in The Press on Friday and a half-page ad to appear Saturday, Calvin students, staff and alumni voice their disappointment with Bush's graduation stop (The Grand Rapids Press, Mi.)

Pomp and politics in Grand Rapids: Bush visit brings controversy | Students and faculty to protest Christian school's commencement speaker (Detroit Free Press)

President's visit stirs dissent at conservative Calvin College | The president may have been expecting a warmer welcome from Calvin College than he'll get Saturday (Laura Berman, The Detroit News)

President Bush to face widespread faculty dissent when he speaks at evangelical college on Saturday | More than 100 professors at Calvin College, in Michigan, have signed a letter criticizing policies (The Chronicle of Higher Education, sub. req'd.)

Calvin's announcement is here. The ceremony will be broadcast live over the Internet. The Calvin College newspaper, The Chimes, has also covered the debate.

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May (Web-only) 2005, Vol. 49