Fresno Pacific University mourns the passing of Faculty Emeritus Delbert Wiens

By Wayne Steffen

The Fresno Pacific University community is saddened to learn of the death of Delbert Wiens, Ph.D., July 10, 2026.

An emeritus humanities, philosophy and history faculty, Delbert served Fresno Pacific from 1969 to 1997. In retirement he worked on a variety of projects designed to help congregations with biblical interpretation.

"Few individuals have had a more lasting influence on the identity and mission of Fresno Pacific University than Delbert," said Fresno Pacific University President André Stephens. "Through his teaching, scholarship and mentorship, he helped shape the intellectual and spiritual life of the university and influenced generations of students, faculty and church leaders."

Indeed, much of Delbert's career was dedicated to the wider church. Perhaps first among his many publications was New Wineskins for Old Wine, which sought to help the Mennonite Brethren face the challenges of modernity.

Immersed in MB culture from birth, Delbert graduated from denominational schools Corn Bible Academy in his native Oklahoma and Immanuel High School after the family moved to Reedley, CA. He also attended Tabor College before getting his B.A. from Fresno State, his B.D. from Yale Divinity School and his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.

Before coming to FPU, he taught at Corn Bible Academy, Tabor College, where he was also "media man," and Bethel College, both in Kansas. He spent four years with Mennonite Central Committee in Vietnam in the 1950s.

Delbert's ideas, influence and legacy were celebrated in A Dangerous Mind: The Ideas and Influence of Delbert L. Wiens. Published in 2015, the book contains tributes to Delbert, essays inspired by him and some of his unpublished works. It was published in 2015 by Wipf and Stock to honor the 50th anniversary of New Wineskins for Old Wine (wipfandstock.com/a-dangerous-mind.html).

We pray God's comfort for Delbert's family, including son John, daughter Linda and her husband, retired FPU faculty Steve Pauls, and his grandchildren.

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