The Anatomy of a Steer

Don’t Get Steered

Steer (v) – to guide or control the movement of

Steer (n) – a male bovine that has been castrated and is raised for beef.

Over the last few years, Christians and conservatives have become increasingly aware of the manipulative tactics of the Left. Indeed, part of the so-called Vibe Shift is simply the fact that a number of conservative leaders have finally learned to resist the emotional sabotage of progressives. Vice-President JD Vance, in particular, is emblematic of this shift, from his “I don’t really care, Margaret” to his rejection of “emotional blackmail.”

But sometimes, it’s good to be reminded that some Christian institutions are still living in the year 2018. 

Enter Wheaton College. Over the weekend, Wheaton offered the world a case study in how supposedly conservative Christian organizations are hijacked and steered by the Left. (I realize that anyone who has been paying attention to Wheaton over the last decade can justifiably object to categorizing them as “conservative;” nevertheless, they still hold to an evangelical statement of faith, and their community covenant contains a clear condemnation of sexual immorality, including pornography, fornication, and homosexuality.) While many recognize the presence of emotional sabotage, it’s good to break down the key elements of a successful Steer.

Part 1: The Spark

It all began with a simple social media post congratulating Wheaton alum Russ Vought on his appointment as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. 

In hindsight, one wonders how and why such a thing was ever posted. Perhaps an innocent intern assumed that congratulating prominent alumni on their accomplishments is what social media is for. “Graduate from Wheaton and Oh the places you’ll go. Apply (or Donate) here.” Or perhaps some beleaguered in the communication department wanted to communicate that “there are still real Christians in this hollowed-out husk of an institution.”

Regardless of the motive, on Friday evening, the congratulations were offered, and the spark was lit.

Key: The Spark is not the origin of the conflict but its occasion. It doesn’t cause the problem so much as reveal it. And the Spark could quite literally be anything because, like California forests under progressive governments, there is a lot of tinder and dry brush just ready to burn.

Part 2: The Victims

Crucial to a successful Steer are the Victims (real or alleged). In this case, these are the people who are “hurt” or “scared” or “in danger” from the Trump administration. Illegal immigrants who could be deported. “Sexual minorities” who are *literally* being erased by this administration. Racial minorities who pretend that Trump is going to bring back lynchings (or some other nonsense). Those who will be destitute because of the government programs that are being paused, reduced, or cut.

Wheaton’s social media was filled with various expressions of “concern” and “sadness,” as well as exasperation and anger, over those who are being hurt by the Trump administration (and who would no doubt be doubly hurt by Wheaton’s congratulations of a key administration official).

Key: The Victims function as the appropriate objects of empathy, which will be used to steer the institution in question. Crucially, only certain groups are permitted objects of empathy. Illegal immigrants? Check. Families of those killed by illegal immigrants (or communities overwhelmed by mass immigration)? No Check.

Part 3: The Advocates

If Victims arouse empathy, Advocates press for “justice” on their behalf. Advocates apply pressure to the institution to change course (in this case, by removing the post). Sometimes, they are members of a Victim class; sometimes, they are simply an ally (with pink hair and pronouns in their bio). They express sadness and concern on behalf of those who are “hurt” or “scared.” Or they express anger at the fact that a Christian institution would celebrate the accomplishments of such a “bigoted,” “hurtful,” and “unChristian” alumnus. Crucially, they are the authoritative interpreters of meaning, operating as a kind of Woke Magisterium: “Your post congratulating Russ Vought was a partisan statement and full-throated endorsement of everything that Trump has ever done.” 

Advocates use two primary pressure tactics: 1) online swarms and 2) backroom pressure (emails, texts, and phone calls expressing hurt, concern, and sadness to key leaders). The most effective advocates have some long-standing relationship with key leaders of the institution. In fact, over the last 15 years, Advocates have frequently been hired to fill key positions in institutions, often because of their activism. Such hires are a key way that institutions have communicated: “We are empathetic. We care about the right things.” 

Key: Advocates are crucial because they leverage their relational capital, credibility, and public platform to steer the institution. They act as internal amplifiers of external angst, channeling the online emotion into staff meetings and board rooms.

Part 4: The Respectables

Arguably the most important participants in any effective Steer are the Respectables. Generally, they are not Advocates or activists. They are nice guys—orthodox in their doctrine, winsome and kind-hearted, and generally conflict-averse. Respectables are smart, but because their intellect is subordinated to their empathy, their fear of progressive anger, and their desire for respectability (as defined by their fellows who live beneath the progressive gaze), they are easily steered and effectively steer others. They don’t reason; they rationalize. They are the primary target of the Advocates, and once captured, they bring their own respectable pressure to bear on any leaders who might resist being steered. Their function is to mask the sabotage with their piety and platitudes (“We are non-political–neither Left nor Right”). 

They are also often self-deceived, convinced that they are following in the way of Jesus as they lead their institution to apostasy and irrelevance. They think of themselves as peacemakers, but in reality they are peace-mongers, cowards who value a good report with the world (and other Respectables) more than basic fidelity and fear of the Lord.

Key: Respectables are the lynchpin of the entire Steer. Without them, steering simply doesn’t work. 

Part 5: The Result

In this case, the Steer worked. Wheaton pulled the congratulations and put out the following incoherent statement:

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.

On the one hand, they acknowledge that such congratulations are normal. They blame their capitulation on some vague “political situation.” They imply that the congratulations was somehow a political endorsement that was at odds with the college’s mission (and non-profit status). In doing so, they adopt the framing of the Advocates, and reinforce the progressive straitjacket that ensnares them. 

More than that, they make it clear that they have no desire to be associated with conservative alumni—that, like Peter at Antioch in Galatians 2, they will distance themselves from fellow Christians out of fear of worldly agitators. 

In doing so, Wheaton demonstrated just how neutered it is as an institution. Seventy years ago, missionary and Wheaton alum Jim Elliot faced down death at the hands of the Auca Indians in Ecuador. His alma mater couldn’t even face down “pastor” Laura with pronouns in her bio for 24 hours. Twenty-five years ago, the school changed its mascot from the Crusaders to Thunder because the former was “insensitive.” In light of their recent actions, perhaps they should change the mascot from Thunder to Whimper. 

And Wheaton’s cowardice is even more galling, given that during his confirmation battle in 2017, Vought publicly defended Wheaton’s right to fire a professor for holding non-Christian views. Wheaton has shown less integrity and courage than Ohio State University, which congratulated alum JD Vance on his election to the vice presidency. And the alleged reason for pulling their congratulations was to avoid becoming embroiled in political conflict. How is that working out for them?

The reality is that, far from avoiding political entanglements, Wheaton chose to politicize their otherwise innocuous congratulatory post by empathetically adopting the framing of the Left and succumbing to pressure from Victims, Advocates, and Respectables.

For years, schools like Wheaton have been pulled in multiple directions. The basic task of Wheaton’s administration has been to keep the alumni and donors from knowing what the professors teach and what the students believe (and vice versa). I’m sure the backroom conversations over the weekend have not been enjoyable. This is not why you want to be in the news.

So what should Wheaton do now? If they wanted to right the ship, they could begin with an apology to Russ Vought from President Ryken and the Trustees. “We’re sorry. Please forgive us. We caved to pressure and we shouldn’t have done it. We want to renew our congratulations and prayers for Mr. Vought in his new role.” And then they should bear fruit in keeping with that repentance by inviting Mr. Vought to give a lecture on campus. It doesn’t even have to be a political lecture. Have Mr. Vought talk about his Christian faith and how his time at Wheaton prepared him for his vocation. Make it bland evangelical; after all, that’s the Wheaton way. 

But here’s the crucial part. After inviting Mr. Vought to speak on campus, the administration must cheerfully endure the pressure and manipulation from woke faculty, student agitators, leftist alumni, and the media that will inevitably attend such an invitation. That would show something approaching sober-minded courage.

But I’m not holding my breath. The Left can steer Wheaton with a few angry comments from pronoun people. Objections from evangelicals and alumni on the Right will be assiduously ignored. And that should tell you all you need to know about Wheaton’s real constituency. 

For the rest of us, the castration of the Evangelical Harvard should serve as a cautionary tale for our institutions, whether churches, ministries, or colleges. I’ve written two books to help leaders diagnose what ails them and prepare for sabotage. 

But the basic message is clear: In a world of angst, don’t get steered.

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