Philip Paek

9/25/11
Bith 111
Bacote
Dear Helen,
Though Wheaton College requires students like me to follow a seemingly strict
Community Covenant, let me tell you why I still chose to come here.
Honestly speaking, more than a set of rules that we are obligated to follow, if you
really think about it, the limitations that the covenant places on you is really just things
that we should be striving for as Christians anyways. For example, with tobacco and
alcohol products, while most secular universities just set rules to abide by the legal age
requirements, Wheatons covenant forbids any undergraduate from using these products,
regardless of age. This shouldnt matter though in my opinion. Regardless, as Christian
scholars, we shouldnt be tempted by these things and strive to pursue an education
without any hindrances. Besides, Wheaton students dont need those things to have fun.
On the contrary, not all aspects of college life at Wheaton are so strictly governed
by the covenant. For example, in terms of entertainment, the covenant states that as
Christians we should exercise responsible freedom. There is no rating ban on watching
any movies as long as its not in a public lounge area. Knowing that some R-rated films
maybe debatable, it is at the discretion of the viewer to watch a movie, given the fact that
they understand the terms of responsible freedom.
After all this, you still might be saying, I still dont need a covenant to keep me
from these things, I wont do it anyways. My response to that is, though you may be
able to control yourself at a secular school, theres no saying the same for your peers.
Ultimately, I believe that the covenant generally acts as a large accountability group
between men and women of Christ in pursuit of purity, humility, justice and truth.

Philip Paek
9/25/11
Bith 111
Bacote
However, there really is no solid means of enforcing this covenant. In fact,
most of it is entirely integrity based. In my opinion though, that is something that
Wheaton can improve on. Sure, it does teach us about the importance of
responsibility and the freedom in that. But that doesnt say that there wont be
anybody disregarding the covenant at times and that really bothers me personally. I
dont know how. But if I had to suggest upon something to improve, it would be the
methods in enforcing this covenant.
But weve only just scratched the surface of it all. More than that, we abide by
these rules to help us to grow into Christians with the same purpose and calling as our
schools motto and to really strive to live: For Christ and his Kingdom. Students at
Wheaton College are Christians first and students second. The Community Covenant
simply helps us to grow not only into intellectual begins, but into better Christians. It also
ensures that we consistently pursue Christian values and helps to instill a vision for Gods
kingdom in us as we stay rooted in our faith through it.