Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 11
NEED_DATE
NUMBER 32, PAGE 9-11b

Concerning "The Story Of Harding College" -- (I)

Myer Phillips, Prineville, Oregon

In the Sept. 15, 1959 issue of the Finn Foundation there appeared several articles concerning Harding College. The praise that was given to the school was unsurpassable as far as the mere praise of men is concerned, and no doubt many people were favorably impressed with the school as a result of the articles. Yet to one who knows the truth about Harding they were probably sickening. From the beginning to the end the articles were filled with gross misrepresentations and false implications. It is because many honest folk are being deceived by such false propaganda that I undertake the writing of these articles in an attempt to let people know the truth about Harding College.

It is with a great deal of hesitation that I undertake this task, for I know that there are several men who could do a much better job than I in revealing the internal spiritual decay that encompasses the school. But since I spent two years at Harding, the school years of '54-55 and '68-59, I feel I am qualified at least to some extent to speak openly about the school. I realize perhaps better than others that I will be criticized for writing these articles, but criticism is not to be considered when truth is involved. Some will say that I have written because I have a personal grudge against the school, some will say that I am just trying to make a name for myself, and others will say that I am being used by other parties. But I ask that you let God be the judge of my motives for He knows my heart better than you; and regardless of what you think of me as a person I simply ask that you consider objectively and honestly the things which I write.

At the very outset of this review, if you wish to call it that, I want to make it clear that the things I say regarding spirituality on the campus and the general caliber of instruction given in Bible classes are things which are true on the campus in Searcy, Ark. I have not been to the graduate school in Memphis nor do I know very much about either the conditions on the campus or the instruction given in the Bible classes. Hence the things said in this article about these matters primarily refer to the school in Searcy.

However, as the leaders go so goes the school; one cannot separate the school from those who are in charge of her affairs. Trying to separate Harding College from George Benson would be like trying to separate the Communist Party from Mr. IC or the Gospel Advocate from B. C. Goodpasture. I say that because George Benson is virtually the dictator and sole ruler of Harding; as he goes, so goes the school. Any denominational or liberal tendencies on his part will manifest themselves in the school, for he runs the school, lock, stock and barrel. If he is in favor of doing something, the school does it, yet if he is against it, the school doesn't do it regardless of the sentiments of both faculty and student body even though they might be unanimously in favor of it. And since he is over the graduate school in Memphis as well as the school in Searcy, one cannot very well separate the two as far as doctrinal issues are concerned. This is made more evident when we consider that one man, W. B. West, Jr., is head of the Bible department in both Memphis and Searcy. But as far as general campus conditions are concerned, my remarks must be understood as referring to the school in Searcy rather than Memphis; this is likewise true regarding the caliber of Bible instruction received by the students. Yet any tendencies toward digression that I might point out will be equally true of both schools for they are controlled by the same men.

"The Emphasis Is On Spiritual Things"???

One is deceived if he believes all that is said regarding the emphasis being placed on spiritual things at Harding; such is not the case. I have been told by those who attended the school several years ago that Harding was a place that glowed with spirituality. Maybe such was true at one time, but it is not true today. Spirituality at Harding is almost dead. One hears a lot of talk about the spontaneous singing around the lily pond and in the cafeteria lines; you have probably even heard the familiar echo: "At Harding we sing" But do they tell you that now there is hardly ever a singing around the lily pond and that whenever there is only a handful attend? Do they tell you that singing spiritual songs in the cafeteria line is a thing of the past? Do they tell you that most students themselves realize and will admit that real spirituality at Harding is no more? Do they explain why and how brother Benson has curbed one teacher in his efforts to encourage real spirituality even to the point of not letting his freshman Bible classes sing? Do they also explain that brother Benson has stopped all the spontaneous singing in chapel? Do they tell you that now most all of the singing in chapel is cold and formal with the emphasis placed on whether or not you hit the right note and whether or not the harmony sounds good? Do they tell you that a lot of the students study during the song service in chapel and even some of them study during prayer? Does this sound like a place that "glows with spirituality?"

But now let us turn our attention to the Bible department. Clifton Genus, vice-president of the school, says: "Primary emphasis at Harding is placed upon study of the Bible and related fields." W. B. West, Jr., head of the Bible department, says: "The Bible department has the central place at Harding College — the place of the hub of a wheel with the spokes representing the rest of the college." But I ask, if such be true, then why the gross ignorance upon the part of graduating students regarding the Bible? Why is it that almost all the students at Searcy who are majoring in Bible do not hesitate to affirm that Harding's Bible department is very poor and that the instruction received is not much more than one would receive in an elementary "Sunday school" class? By way of example let me tell you of the instruction I received in a class entitled, "The Minister and His Work", which was taught by Conard Hays, assistant head of the Bible department. As a basis for the course we studied a book entitled, "The Ministry", edited by a fellow named Spann. Some of the subjects discussed in this book were: "The minister as counselor", "the minister as director of public relations", "the minister as organizer of program and work," "the minister as priest and comforter", etc. And little attempt was made to distinguish between denominational error as taught in this book and the truth. Often was the time that I was compelled for the sake of truth to speak out against the things brother Hays was teaching, but it was to little avail. The denominational concept of the "pastor system" was taught. Yet we wonder sometimes why this "pastor system" has crept upon us. Brethren, what can we expect when our "educated preachers" (?) with their appalling degrees start infiltrating churches all over the country with such false ideas? One would have thought that the Bible itself would be used as a basis for such a course, but the truth is that the Bible itself is studied very little in any of the so-called Bible Classes. One student made the remark that during the four years he spent at Harding he had only one course in which he had to take a Bible to class. And he was a Bible major!! If the Bible department is the strong point at Harding, then I pity the other departments!

This business about the emphasis at Harding being on spiritual things is so much "tommy-rot", and it is high time for people who are listening to such propaganda to wake up to the truth. The emphasis at Harding is not on spiritual things nor does the Bible department occupy the chief place. The emphasis at Harding is now placed upon politics and the School of American Studies. I was impressed very deeply with this point when one student very earnestly asked one of the teachers, "Why is it that the preaching students here who plan to go to foreign fields are taught to preach more Americanism than gospel?" And he is not the only one who has recognized this shift of emphasis; I have talked with many students who have felt the same way. Actually at Harding one is almost made to believe that a person goes to heaven by being a good American citizen and by hating all forms of socialism, whereas being a Christian is a rather secondary thing. Again I say, real spirituality at Harding is a thing of the past.

Leanings Toward Digression

But there is more to be considered than decaying spirituality at Harding. I speak now with reference to the school's steady leanings toward digression. The Lord taught that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matt. 12:34.) In view, then, of the betraying nature of one's speech it is quite revealing to notice some of the denominational phraseology that appears in the writings of Dr. Benson. For example, at the very outset of his article entitled, "The Crisis Ahead", he refers to what he calls "Christian civilization". And from the context of his article it is evident that he wasn't speaking of those who have been born again, those who have been translated out of darkness into light. Dr. Benson, just what is a "Christian civilization" if you are not talking about folk who have been born again? If you are referring to the United States, I think you need to open your eyes a little bit. I have heard people in the various denominations use the term "Christian civilization, or nation" but I was under the impression that those in the Lord's church knew better, especially those with Doctor's degrees. Where does the New Testament use the term "Christian" like you use it, Dr. Benson? The word "Christian" is compounded out of the word Christ, which means anointed, and the suffix i-a-n, which means belonging to or of. Thus the word Christian simply means belonging to the Anointed One or belonging to Christ.

But what is still more shocking is found farther on in this same article where Dr. Benson refers to "Church of Christ homes". Now I wonder what kind of homes those are? It sounds as if he is talking about those families who are associated with the "Church of Christ Church" where the "Church of Christ Preacher" does the preaching for the "Church of Christ Christians"! I wonder were this "Church of Christ Church" got its start. Maybe it's the new denomination now being formed by such men as George S. Benson. Such phraseology is denominational to the core, and it reveals quite a lot as to where Harding College is headed. I simply ask, where in all of God's Word can one read such phraseology? I challenge Dr. Benson or anyone else to produce the passage; even one where the thought is conveyed will satisfy me.

Yet at Harding there is much more to consider than the use of denominational phraseology. Brother Lloyd Barker wrote an article which appeared in the May 14, 1959 issue of the Gospel Guardian in which he exposed the fact that the titles "Father", "Reverend", and "Sister" are employed when addressing a letter to some Catholic priest or nun or to some denominational preacher. An attempt to defend such action was undertaken by brother James D. Bales during a chapel speech at the close of this past school year. Needless to say, such an attempt proved ridiculous if not absurd. Brother Bales tried to prove that their calling some Catholic priest "Father" was parallel to our calling someone "Mr." I just might add here that if brother Bales doesn't know the difference between the title "Mr." which carries with it no idea of any spiritual relationship and the title "Father" which does connote a spiritual relationship where referring such to a Catholic priest, then he needs to forget that he has a Ph. D. and re-enter grammar school. Brother Bales, if calling a Catholic priest "Father" doesn't violate Matthew 23, then how could one violate this passage?

Brother Barker also pointed out in his article that brother Benson has made an open defense of Masonry. Thus far we haven't seen a statement from brother Benson to the contrary. I wonder if brother Benson would care to defend publicly his stand on Masonry, whether in an oral debate or a written debate? My guess is that he wouldn't because such might prove "unpopular" with the "brotherhood" and after all, a man in his position cannot afford to become unpopular with the "brotherhood".

Another interesting thing that sheds light on the attitude of Harding toward truth and sound doctrine is the fact that no attempt is made to speak out against such denominational practices as the putting on of Christmas pageants. In fact, this past Christmas season the Harding chorale put on a Christmas pageant in chapel for the entire school. However I'm thankful to say that many of the students got up and walked out. In addition to that, this past Easter some of the people from both white congregations in Searcy participated in the big inter-denominational sunrise Easter service, along with some of the elders of these congregations. In fact, one of the elders of the downtown congregation was the chairman of the entire program. It is also a known fact that in previous years some of the college students have participated in such programs by helping furnish the music (vocal on their part) And brethren, these programs, both Christmas and Easter, are with. the sanction and approval of such men as. Dr. Benson, who is one of the elders of the college congregation and who to my knowledge has never raised an objectionable voice against such. Yet he, as an elder, has the responsibility of watching after the souls of those young people who are members of the college congregation. According to the Bible, a watchman is one who is to warn against error and wickedness, d. Ezek. 3:17-21. But brother Benson condones such denominational Easter and Christmas services just as he does Masonry.

The saddest of all things is the fact that such denominational and digressive concepts are being carefully drilled into the minds of students who do not know better, who were sent there by parents who thought that at Harding their children would be taught only the truth. This thought is more ably stated by brother L. B. Clayton in an excellent article entitled, "I Believe In Christian Colleges", which appeared in the May 7, 1959 issue of the Gospel Guardian. Brother Clayton says: "One real danger of sending a boy or girl to a Christian college now is that we disarm them; we send them there on the tacit assumption that they will be taught truth and not error. Hence, they are doubly susceptible to the false teaching that may be given." Brethren, I have talked with various preaching students at Harding who have demonstrated that they hardly know what they believed much less why they believed it. They are being filled with the idea that in order to be effective workers and leaders in the Lord's church they must have higher degrees, and above all they must not buck the vast "brotherhood". Brother Conard Hays has said over and over again that the apostle Paul was ever so concerned about what the "brotherhood" thought about his actions, and that therefore we also should not go against the vast "brotherhood". My suggestion to brother Hays is that he re-study the life of the apostle Paul; nothing could be further from the truth regarding him. In view of such teaching from brother Hays and others at the school, we cannot help but wonder where Harding would have gone if it has existed during the latter part of the 19th century. But it is not too difficult to guess.