5
learning, the stature of the school's president in
Christian higher education, and a location that would aid
the Consortium in attaining a balanced regional mix.
5
Furthermore, as supporters of the new evangelical
resurgence after World War II, the founders desired to
distance the Consortium from fundamentalism. Thus they
employed a statement of faith from the National Association
of Evangelicals to serve as a doctrinal yardstick for their
new educational venture. This statement, which was first
adopted in 1943 and still guides the NAE today, affirms
many standard evangelical convictions, including the
inspiration, infallibility, and authority of the Bible; the
Trinity; the deity, virgin birth, sinless life, miracles,
atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension, and personal
return of Jesus Christ; the regenerative work and present
ministry of the Holy Spirit; the resurrection of the saved
to eternal life and the damnation of the lost; and the
spiritual unity of believers in Christ.
6
Hence the
Consortium relied on both theological and other tests in
demarcating its boundaries.
5
Ibid., 108.
6
See ibid., 113; and "NAE Statement of Faith,"
http://www.nae.net/about-mission
/; Internet; accessed 5
June 2001.