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139-629: Benson grew up on a Dewey County, Oklahoma homestead. His parents, Stuart and Emma, were devout Christians, never missing the meetings in the Taloga schoolhouse church held by the various itinerant preachers who passed through. They instilled early the values of hard work and self-reliance, so that by age eight he worked full days on the farm. George completed eight grades in nearby Bonto and a year of high school each in Seiling and in Claremore, where his janitor job paid

278-517: A School of Theology in Memphis. Between these nine colleges, the university provides ninety-seven majors, ten undergraduate degrees, fourteen pre-professional programs, and twenty-one graduate and professional degrees. In 1953, Harding established the School of American Studies as an extension of President Benson's National Education Program in order to teach and train students in the founding principles of

417-419: A "paralyzing change. Millions were on relief and their children were growing up without knowledge of any other way of life". The National Education Association had recently announced educational plans to "support President Roosevelt in taking [basic industries and utilities] over and operating them at full capacity as a unified national system". America seemed to be trending towards "the public tendency to live off

556-607: A Chairman of the Board of Zambian Christian Schools until 1984. He was "heavily involved" because "he wanted a multitude of Zambians to receive an education where they would get to know Christ as their personal savior." Benson was appointed as chancellor of Alabama Christian College in 1975. He served as interim president and chief executive in 1981. During his years as chancellor, debt was reduced from $ 3.5 million to $ 1 million and college operations were strengthened. At both Harper College and Oklahoma A&M, Benson displayed an interest in

695-551: A September 1963 Arkansas Gazette article: "as a private institution [Harding] faced no legal threat". The Gazette further reported that Harding was the first private college in Arkansas to integrate and editorialized "they and Dr. Benson deserve an ovation...for the grace with which they have undertaken this social change". More recently, the Arkansas Times has reported that Harding was actually second. The student newspaper article about

834-405: A certain sum of money. The clubs then donate this money to charities of their choice. The Department of Communications runs the state radio station KVHU . Alongside publications of the university itself, such as the alumni newsletter Harding Magazine and the yearbook The Petit Jean , students produce their own periodical during the academic year called The Bison . This student-run publication

973-551: A chapter of Kappa Omicron Nu , a national honor society for colleges and universities with a strong humanities program. The university was distinguished through the National Historic Chemical Landmarks program of the American Chemical Society for its contribution to the history of chemistry, which came for its William-Miles History of Chemistry Collection, established in 1992. Harding University

1112-526: A far better building and their own teachers to go to Central." In a 1958 chapel speech, Benson claimed that few blacks desired to attend Harding, and that he personally provided funds to attend all-black colleges to those few that applied. Losing financial support was likely also a concern. But he especially feared that interracial marriage would follow integration, and warned of "increased destruction to properties, increased gonorrhea and syphilis, and increased pregnancies." He expressed his belief that segregation

1251-477: A fraction of its estimated value and moved there in 1934. Harding University first advocated pacifism and political disengagement, in line with its own founding influences like James A. Harding and David Lipscomb as well as with wider trends in many other evangelical Christian movements during late 19th- and early 20th-century America. This trajectory shifted during the Cold War, however. Harding became involved in

1390-401: A message for his 80th birthday, Reagan said "Dr. Benson, more than most, recognized the parallel between that other great civilization, now lost in the dustbin of history, and what could happen to this country, and he began trying to warn all of us before any were willing to accept the warning.". Eisenhower commented "I only wish that other colleges and universities were doing what Harding College

1529-584: A missionary methods class at Harding that George taught winter 1931-1932 while on furlough. When Benson received Armstrong's invitation to the Harding presidency in March 1936, he was inclined to turn it down. But as the now-experienced team contemplated the quantity of missionaries that would be needed to "take the Christian message to the other great cities of China", they urged him to accept this role where he could "influence

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1668-504: A missionary to China for eleven years, 1925-1936. After only 6 months in Kwei Hsien , Communist propagandists arrived and "insisted that these intruders should be either killed or driven out". The Bensons had difficulty finding a boat to take them to Hong Kong because of threats against those who carried foreigners. After a year in Hong Kong, George Pepperdine offered them support to work in

1807-661: A monthly bulletin mailed to 47,000 people, a weekly radio broadcast carried by 387 stations, and MGM-distributed films estimated to have been viewed by 35 million people. These animated films were produced by John Sutherland, a former Disney executive and funded by The Sloan Foundation and included " Make Mine Freedom ", "Going Places", "Meet King Joe", "Why Play Leapfrog", "Albert in Blunderland", "Adventures in Economics". These cartoons became "the most popular short subjects ever distributed by MGM. The 1965 NEP film "The Truth About Communism"

1946-664: A new "school for the poor" they had suggested. The English and Bible schools continued to operate until 1949. Another significant effort in Guangzhou was translating and publishing literature in the Chinese language, including an award winning publication of J.W. McGarvey's Commentary on Acts . Families that had joined the work in Canton included the Oldham, Davis, Whitfield, Leung, So, Ko, and Bernard families. Lowell Davis and Roy Whitfield had been in

2085-713: A particular person of the Trinity as the guiding principle of that era. The first era was the Old Testament history and was accordingly the age of the Father ; the current age of the church was the age of the Son ; and still in Joachim's future was the age of the Spirit . For Joachim, year 1260 was to mark the end of the second and the beginning of the third and final golden age of earth's history. During

2224-456: A period of a thousand years. Premillennialism is in contrast to amillennialism and postmillennialism beliefs. Amillennialism interprets Revelation 20:1–6 as pertaining to the present time, and holds that Christ currently reigns in Heaven with the departed saints . This interpretation views the symbolism of Revelation as referring to a spiritual conflict between Heaven and Hell rather than

2363-600: A physical conflict on Earth. Amillennialists do not view the thousand years mentioned in Revelation as a literal thousand years, but see the number "thousand" as symbolic and numerological and see the kingdom of Christ as already present in the church beginning with the Pentecost in the book of Acts . Denominations such as Oriental Orthodoxy , Eastern Orthodoxy , Catholicism , Anglicanism , Presbyterianism and Lutheranism are generally amillennial . Postmillennialism views

2502-459: A prominent part of student life with slightly more than half of all undergraduate students participating as social club members. The social club induction process begins when clubs host "receptions" in the fall to recruit new members. The membership process culminates in Club Week, when each prospective member bonds with the other members of the club through a series of scheduled activities throughout

2641-528: A proponent of amillennialism (of course, the sexta-septamillennial tradition was itself based upon similar means of allegorical interpretation). Although Origen was not always wholly "orthodox" in his theology, he had at one point completely spiritualized Christ's second coming prophesied in the New Testament. Origen did this in his Commentary on Matthew when he taught that "Christ's return signifies His disclosure of Himself and His deity to all humanity in such

2780-532: A rapture immediately before a seven-year worldwide tribulation. This will be followed by an additional return of Christ with his saints (though there are post tribulation dispensationalists, such as Robert Gundry ). Dispensationalism traces its roots to the 1830s and John Nelson Darby (1800–1882), an Anglican churchman and an early leader of the Plymouth Brethren. In the US, the dispensational form of premillennialism

2919-495: A type of Millennium would occur "1260 years after A.D. 606 when Rome was recognized as having universal authority." His Puritan contemporaries, Increase Mather and Cotton Mather , openly proclaimed a belief in a literal millennium. Increase Mather wrote "That which presseth me so, as that I cannot gainsay the Chiliastical opinion, is that I take these things for Principles, and no way doubt but that they are demonstrable. 1. That

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3058-533: A very long continuance." Between 1790 and the mid-19th century, premillennialism was a popular view among English Evangelicals , even within the Anglican church. Thomas Macaulay observed this and wrote "Many Christians believe that the Messiah will shortly establish a kingdom on the earth, and visibly reign over all its inhabitants." Throughout the 19th century, premillennialism continued to gain wider acceptance in both

3197-420: A way that all might partake of His glory to the degree that each individual's actions warrant ( Commentary on Matthew 12.30)." Even Origen's milder forms of this teaching left no room for a literal millennium and it was so extreme that few actually followed it. But his influence did gain wider acceptance especially in the period following Constantine . Dionysius of Alexandria stood against premillennialism when

3336-479: A week each semester. Attendance is mandatory, and nonattendance may result in suspension from the university. The university requires students and faculty to dress professionally when attending class, chapel, lyceum, and American Studies programs. The consumption, possession or storage of alcoholic beverages of any kind is prohibited at Harding University. This prohibition includes on-campus or off-campus locations. Violation of this policy will result in suspension from

3475-540: A white Dallas police officer who alleged she had confused their apartments and mistaken the 26-year-old for a burglar. Upon review, but against the wishes of the Black Student Association, the university, under the leadership of Bruce McLarty, defended Benson and chose to retain the name. However, President McLarty recognized the university had no buildings or landmarks on campus that recognized Black Alumni and promised some sort of memorial to Botham Jean within

3614-438: A year. Facing this controversy and a 23% decline in enrollment over 5 years, the board dismissed McLarty, with former president David Burks resuming control. Michael D. Williams became president June 2022. The Searcy campus comprises 48 buildings located on 350 acres (140 ha) near the center of Searcy. The campus lies roughly between Race Avenue and Beebe-Capps Expressway and includes several other minor thoroughfares,

3753-672: Is "still one of the most potent elements in Western religious thought." Therefore, to analyze what happened to premillennialism in the Middle Ages and the Reformation, it is necessary to observe the Augustinian foundation. In his early period, Augustine held to the sexta-/septamillennial view common in early Christianity (see above section on Patristic Age). In accordance with this view, Augustine divided history into two separate dispensations, first

3892-403: Is Delta Phi, a chapter of Pi Sigma Epsilon ). Currently there are 14 women's social clubs and 15 men's social clubs at Harding. Most of these organizations have adopted Greek letter names that are similar to national fraternity and sorority names. Social clubs are open to all academically eligible students and serve as some of the university's most visible student-led organizations. The clubs are

4031-518: Is a private Christian university with its main campus in Searcy, Arkansas . Established in 1924, the institution offers undergraduate , graduate , and pre-professional programs. The university also includes a graduate school of theology , located in Memphis, Tennessee , which was formerly known as Harding Graduate School of Religion. Harding is one of several institutions of higher learning associated with

4170-598: Is a member in good standing of a Church of Christ and attends services weekly. The university specifies that daily chapel service be held with attendance mandatory for undergraduate students. Chapel programs are "designed to stimulate intellectual, religious, social or aesthetic development," in accordance with the university's mission of combining " faith, learning and living." Excessive absences from daily chapel service may result in disciplinary action. Harding requires each student enrolled in nine or more hours to regularly attend one Bible class that meets at least three hours

4309-408: Is best known for his voluminous tome written against the 2nd century Gnostic threat, commonly called Against Heresies . In the fifth book of Against Heresies , Irenaeus concentrates primarily on eschatology. In one passage he defends premillennialism by arguing that a future earthly kingdom is necessary because of God's promise to Abraham , he wrote "The promise remains steadfast... God promised him

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4448-517: Is distinctively non-dispensational. This means that it sees no radical theological distinction between Israel and the Church. It is often post-tribulational, meaning that the rapture of the church will occur after a period of tribulation . Historic premillennialism maintains chiliasm because of its view that the church will be caught up to meet Christ in the air and then escort him to the earth in order to share in his literal thousand year rule. Proponents of

4587-520: Is doing for our American way of life." Benson's work with the NEP placed him "at the nexus of the 'Radical Right'", playing a role in "the right's transformation from marginalization in the 1930s to its resurrection by the 1980s". As the NEP grew in influence, it attracted increasing criticism. Its 1960 video "Communism on the Map" was attacked as "mingling fact and falsehood" and "misleading propaganda". 1961 articles in

4726-417: Is from 12:00 a.m. until 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 1:00 a.m. until 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday. No activity may take place on campus during all-campus curfew. Harding explicitly regulates sexual relationships among students and staff. The university explicitly prohibits premarital, extramarital, and homosexual sex. According to the university's student handbook: "Harding University holds to

4865-442: Is made to realize within history that messianic hope which can only be realized beyond history through the eschatological judgment. The Church has rejected even modified forms of this falsification of the kingdom to come under the name of millenarianism, especially the "intrinsically perverse" political form of a secular messianism. Whalen has noted that modern premillennialism is "criticized roundly for naïve scholarship which confuses

5004-521: Is printed in nine issues per semester and made available through its multimedia website The Link . In 2011 a group of LGBTQ students at Harding, known as "HU Queer Press", produced a Zine called State of the Gay whose website was blocked by the university. A statement from university officials at the time said that "university administrators felt that having this website available on campus goes against [our] mission and policies". President David Burks called

5143-464: Is selected, and each club develops music and choreographed routines for the show. Rehearsals begin as early as January. Spring Sing also typically features two hosts, two hostesses, and a general song and choreography ensemble, with these roles chosen by audition. The ensemble performs to music played by the University Jazz Band. Each club act is judged and, according to their performance, awarded

5282-588: The Anglican Articles . This is observed in the 41st of the Anglican Articles, drawn up by Thomas Cranmer (1553), describing the millennium as a 'fable of Jewish dotage', but it was omitted at a later time in the revision under Elizabeth (1563). Contrarily, certain Anabaptists, Huguenots , and Bohemian Brethren were premillennial. Michael Servetus taught a chiliastic view, though he was denounced by

5421-615: The Churches of Christ . Harding College was founded in Morrilton, Arkansas , in April 1924 after the merging of two separate colleges: Arkansas Christian College of Morrilton, Arkansas, and Harper College of Harper, Kansas . It was named after James A. Harding , a minister and educator associated with Churches of Christ. After Galloway Female College merged with Hendrix College in 1933, Harding College purchased Galloway's Searcy, Arkansas campus for

5560-645: The Curse of Ham , a biblical reference that was often used to cast Black people as inferior and provide theological justification for slavery and segregation. While Benson's interest in global humanitarianism and worldwide evangelism indicate that he did not harbor stringent racial animosities, his positions were used by followers who believed that their faith in God and scripture mandated segregation in order to fulfill God's will. In 1963, Benson directed Harding to grant an honorary doctorate to Senator John McClellan for his work opposing

5699-482: The Curse of Ham . In 1957, student body president Bill Floyd circulated a "statement of attitude" that Harding was ready to integrate, and it was signed by over 75% of the students, faculty, and staff of the college. In response Benson made an address entitled titled "Harding College and the Colored Problem", in which he put down the idea of integration as youthful idealism, and insisted that students should defer to

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5838-663: The English theologian Daniel Whitby (1688–1726), the German Johann Albrecht Bengel (1687–1752), and the American Jonathan Edwards (1703–58) "fueled millennial ideas with new influence in the nineteenth century." It was authors such as these who concluded that the decline of the Roman Catholic Church would make way for the conversion and restoration of the nation of Israel . Edwards taught that

5977-690: The Lend Lease Act , anticipated to require a 44% increase in the federal budget. Previous speakers had urged "economy", but Benson was specific in recommending shuttering the "make-work" Civilian Conservation Corps and National Youth Administration because many jobs were available as defense industries ramped up. He also recommended a 50% cut to the Works Progress Administration , granting that relief measures were still needed for those who were not employable. Together, these cuts amounted to one third of what Treasury had requested. His speech

6116-536: The Montanists . Many of these theologians and others in the early church expressed their belief in premillennialism through their acceptance of the sexta-septamillennial tradition. This belief claims that human history will continue for 6,000 years and then will enjoy Sabbath for 1,000 years (the millennial kingdom), thus all of human history will have a total of 7,000 years prior to the new creation . The first clear opponent of premillennialism associated with Christianity

6255-675: The Swiss Reformer Heinrich Bullinger wrote up the Second Helvetic Confession , which reads "We also reject the Jewish dream of a millennium, or golden age on earth, before the last judgment." Furthermore, John Calvin wrote in Institutes that millennialism is a "fiction" that is "too childish either to need or to be worth a refutation". The Anglican Church originally formalized a statement against millenarianism in

6394-594: The United States Constitution . Rebranded the American Studies Institute (ASI), the center supplements students' academic training and promotes "a complete understanding of the institutions, values, and ideas of liberty and democracy." In doing so, the ASI exhibits a generally conservative political stance, focused on going "back to the fundamental values that made this country great." Harding supports

6533-578: The chiliastic work, The Refutation of the Allegorizers written by Nepos, a bishop in Egypt became popular in Alexandria . Dionysius argued against Nepos's influence and convinced the churches of the region of amillennialism. The church historian, Eusebius , reports this in his Ecclesiastical History . Eusebius also had low regard for the chiliast, Papias, and he let it be known that in his opinion Papias

6672-496: The poetic and inspirational prose of prophecy with fortune telling ", though "Premillennialists retort that they merely follow the Word of God, regardless of ridicule." He then notes that, nevertheless, "the virtual theology which surrounds premillennialism is today stronger and more widely spread than at any time in history." Contemporary premillennialism is divided into two schools of thought. Historic, or Classic, Premillennialism

6811-546: The Administration Building frame a grassy central commons area upon which can be found several paths, a fountain, and a bell tower made out of bricks from the institution that once stood there: Galloway Female College. Recent additions have included several dormitories; expansions of the cafeteria, student center, art department, and the David B. Burks American Heritage Building. The McInteer Bible and World Missions Center,

6950-1058: The American rankings and review company Niche. Harding is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission . Specific colleges and programs have received further accreditation by specialized agencies as well. Harding has competed in the NCAA at the Division II level since 1997, beginning in the Lone Star Conference moving in 2000 to the Gulf South Conference and then moving to the newly formed Great American Conference (GAC) in 2011. Men's sports include Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football , Golf, Tennis, and Track and Field. Women's sports include Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, and Volleyball. The facilities for

7089-684: The Gospel, drawing on his and others' experiences in China, the Philippines, Korea, and Zambia as well as his "preparatory years" growing up in Oklahoma and in college. Benson left China in 1936, at the invitation of J.N. Armstrong, to succeed him as president of Harding College. The college had not yet repaid any of its debt from the 1934 Searcy campus purchase, so its prospects were bleak. Like Western, Cordell, and Harper colleges that Armstrong had led before it, Harding

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7228-511: The Harding administration allowed students to enter into interracial relationships, but made it policy to caution them against it and informed their parents in writing. The policy of allowing such relationships was the focus of much anger from the families of some white students. In 1969, three black students who protested racism at the university were expelled. In 1969, Ganus attempted to placate students by promising to hire 'Negro' teachers, but this never transpired. In 1980, Richard King became

7367-646: The Millennium. In the 20th century, the belief became common in Evangelicalism according to surveys on this topic. The current religious term premillennialism did not come into use until the mid-19th century. The word's coinage was "almost entirely the work of British and American Protestants and was prompted by their belief that the French and American Revolutions (the French, especially) realized prophecies made in

7506-524: The NEP board was nearly identical to the college's. In the 1970s, the program dwindled in notoriety and moved to Oklahoma Christian College . The American Studies Institute continues as a legacy of this program. During segregation in the United States , the school remained racially segregated for most of the tenure of president George S. Benson , who defended Harding's delay in integrating. Benson believed Black people were inferior because they fell under

7645-551: The NEP saw its revenues fall by half from 1961/62 to 1962/63. In 1964, the Anti-Defamation League book "Danger on the Right" stated that the NEP was "the largest producer of radical right propaganda in the country". Harding's faculty became critical, with James Atteberry shifting from praising the NEP in a 1966 book to expressing concern in 1967 that Harding's "national image is currently political rather than Christian". Benson and

7784-576: The NEP viewed much of the criticism as communist subversion, becoming "somewhat less focused" on promoting free market ideology. At the NEP, Benson worked closely with James D. Bales , Clifton L. Ganus Jr. , and Glenn A. "Bud" Green. Benson helped to establish Americanism programs at several other colleges, including Kings College , George Pepperdine College , Columbia Christian College , Lubbock Christian College , Alabama Christian College and Abilene Christian College . Influential anti-communist author John Stormer credited Benson with awakening him to

7923-785: The National Education Program on the NCA Review Board,. The NCA rejected Harding's applications four times from 1948-1953. Continuing to engage with knowledgeable contacts, Benson learned that he could win over most of the Review Board by separating the NEP from the college. This was done in early 1954 and that March the NCA granted accreditation. Another primary goal for Benson was increasing faculty salaries and "to retain this dedicated faculty, with its deep spiritual commitment to cultivating genuinely Christian character in students." One of

8062-426: The New York Times, Newsweek, and Arkansas Gazette labelled the NEP as "far right" and linked it to the widely discredited John Birch society. That June, Arkansas senator J. William Fulbright sent a memo to Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara raising concerns about use of NEP materials in the armed forces, which resulted in immediate restrictions on its use. These attacks were "permanently and seriously damaging", and

8201-414: The Philippines. George pitched a tent in Pinamalayan and started preaching, making converts and establishing a congregation. Sixty days later, he left for Paglasan and then Baguio , where he followed a similar procedure. While passing through 30 years later, Benson "found the church at Baguio still continuing faithful to the Lord". The Bensons returned to China in 1929, having heard that the situation there

8340-407: The Reformation period, amillennialism continued to be the popular view of the Reformers. The Lutherans formally rejected chiliasm (millennialism) in The Augsburg Confession . "Art. XVII., condemns the Anabaptists and others 'who now scatter Jewish opinions that, before the resurrection of the dead, the godly shall occupy the kingdom of the world, the wicked being everywhere suppressed.'" Likewise,

8479-410: The Reformers as a heretic and executed in Geneva under Calvin's authority. A few in the mainstream accepted it, such as Joseph Mede (1586–1638) and possibly Hugh Latimer (died 1555), but it was never a conventional belief throughout the period. Premillennialism experienced a revival among 17th century Puritans like Thomas Brightman, Joseph Mede, and others. Although they were not premillennial,

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8618-436: The Second Coming will happen after the millennium. Justin Martyr in the 2nd century was one of the first Christian writers to clearly describe himself as continuing in the "Jewish" belief of a temporary messianic kingdom prior to the eternal state, although the notion of Millennium in his Dialogue with Trypho seem to differ from that of the Apology. According to Johannes Quasten, "In his eschatological ideas Justin shares

8757-439: The US and in Britain, particularly among the Irvingites , Plymouth Brethren , Christadelphians , Church of God , Christian Israelite Church . Premillennialism continues to be popular among Evangelical, Fundamentalist Christian , and Living Church of God communities in the 20th and 21st centuries, expanding further into the churches of Asia , Africa and South America . Many traditional denominations continue to oppose

8896-410: The US by Campus Pride . Premillennialism Premillennialism , in Christian eschatology , is the belief that Jesus will physically return to the Earth (the Second Coming ) before the Millennium , heralding a literal thousand-year messianic age of peace. Premillennialism is based upon a literal interpretation of Revelation 20:1–6 in the New Testament , which describes Jesus's reign in

9035-466: The announcement stated: "Benson's leadership in the movement for equal opportunity makes us proud, even boastful". Brown notes two examples that suggest Benson was not dedicated to preserving segregation: He had "turned down a lucrative offer" to start a strictly segregated college in Mississippi, and he personally raised support for the students who broke the color barrier at Harding. Brown's summary cautions against oversimplification: Benson "was marked by

9174-450: The biblical principle that God instituted marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman and that gender identity is given by God and revealed in one's birth sex. Students are prohibited from being married to or dating a person of the same sex. Neither may students engage in behavior suggesting a romantic relationship with a person of the same sex. The University further holds to the biblical principle that sexual relationships outside

9313-538: The board refused his suggestion that the college buy it. In 1958, the Harding Graduate School of Bible and Religion began operating on the King Estate in Memphis that had been purchased. Benson's proposal two years earlier to establish it on the Searcy campus had been rejected by a faculty vote over concerns it would lead to faculty members in other disciplines no longer being allowed to also teach Bible classes. During Benson's 29-year presidency, Harding grew from 324 to 1228 students and 15 buildings were erected, increasing

9452-403: The books of Daniel and Revelation ." The proponents of amillennialism interpret the millennium as being a symbolic period of time, which is consistent with the highly symbolic nature of the literary and apocalyptic genre of the Book of Revelation, sometimes indicating that the thousand years represent God's rule over his creation or the Church . Postmillennialists hold to the view that

9591-410: The campus of Harding Academy , Harding Place (a retirement community), and portions of surrounding neighborhoods. The campus includes the George S. Benson Auditorium, which sits facing the McInteer Bible and World Missions Center. Brackett Library, the American Studies Building (Education and English departments), the David B. Burks American Heritage Building (hotel and offices), Pattie Cobb Hall , and

9730-430: The campus value from $ 600,000 to $ 25 million. Following his 1965 retirement, he continued to assist in the development of several other Church of Christ-related institutions , including Oklahoma Christian University, Lubbock Christian College , Alabama Christian College (Now Faulkner University ), and George Pepperdine College . Benson resisted a 1957 effort by students and faculty to desegregate Harding, but faced with

9869-460: The church age (the current age of 6,000 years), and then the millennial kingdom ( Sermon 259.2 ). Nevertheless, early in his career Augustine converted from premillennialism to amillennialism. Anderson locates three reasons that may account for Augustine's theological shift: After moving away from premillennialism to amillennialism, Augustine viewed Sabbath rest in the sexta-/septamillennial scheme as "symbolically representative of Eternity." Moreover,

10008-435: The church of this belief ." Augustine's later amillennial view laid the eschatological foundation for the Middle Ages, which practically abandoned premillennialism. The theological term "kingdom" maintained its eschatological function, though it was not necessarily futuristic. Instead it consistently referred to the present age so that the church was currently experiencing the eschaton. Julian of Toledo (642–690) summarizes

10147-560: The college sought accreditation, the North Central Examining Committee's December 1965 report was critical of the college's dual leadership, so Benson made plans to retire. Benson connected the college with major donors such as the Gaylords and Davissons. To avoid confusion with the nearby Central State College following the move to Oklahoma City, Benson recommended changing the name to Oklahoma Christian College. In 1964,

10286-424: The coming Civil Rights Act would require "Harding to desegregate to continue receiving federal funds", but contemporary sources make no mention of this as a consideration: The Gazette applauded Harding's "voluntary action" as an "example" for other Arkansas church-related colleges and deserving an "ovation...for the grace with which they have undertaken this social change". The Bison proclaimed "Benson's leadership in

10425-465: The concept of a literal millennial kingdom. The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod explicitly states, "When Christ returns, 'new heavens and a new earth' will be created ( 2 Pet. 3:10-13)." The catechism of the Catholic Church teaches in paragraph 676 that the millennium is to be understood as "beyond history": The Antichrist's deception already begins to take shape in the world every time the claim

10564-418: The constitution, and free enterprise, within an "Americanism" program. The NEP coordinated speaking engagements and produced and distributed reprints of Benson's speeches and newspaper columns, short films by a former Walt Disney employee, and other media. This program attracted many donations to Harding, including from Boeing and Gulf Oil. The NEP was initially part of the school's education department, and later

10703-502: The context of marriage are unacceptable to God and immoral. Sexual immorality in any form will result in suspension from the University." Harding also forbids the "unwelcome or inappropriate emphasizing of sexual identity." In 2017, it was granted an exception to Title IX , which allows for legal discrimination against LGBTQ+ students on religious grounds. Harding has been listed among the "Absolute Worst Campuses for LGBTQ Youth" in

10842-500: The country raising money to pay the $ 70,000 debt and on Thanksgiving Day of 1939, Armstrong was able to toss the cancelled mortgage into a fire. In 1940, Benson announced the next major goal would be accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). This would aid Harding students seeking admission to graduate schools. From 1941-1948 he "significantly strengthened faculty qualifications, increased

10981-770: The dangers of liberalism. Benson was a recipient of the Tax Foundation's Distinguished Service Award in 1941. Dr. Benson was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1972 and to the Oklahoma State University Hall of Fame in 1976. Benson was the Arkansas Democrat "Outstanding Arkansan" of the year in 1954, and received a Freedoms Foundation George Washington Medal from General Eisenhower in 1949. Buildings are named in his honor at Harding University , Freed Hardeman University , and Faulkner University. There

11120-483: The dead, and a thousand years in Jerusalem, which will then be built... For Isaiah spoke in that manner concerning this period of a thousand years." Though he conceded earlier in the same chapter that his view was not universal by saying that he "and many who belong to the pure and pious faith, and are true Christians, think otherwise." Irenaeus , the late 2nd century bishop of Lyon , was an outspoken premillennialist. He

11259-437: The dead. It is also the time when the creation will bear fruit with an abundance of all kinds of food, having been renovated and set free... And all of the animals will feed on the vegetation of the earth... and they will be in perfect submission to man. And these things are borne witness to in the fourth book of the writings of Papias , the hearer of John , and a companion of Polycarp ." (5.33.3) Apparently Irenaeus also held to

11398-506: The first African-American faculty member. In the fall of 2019, white students constituted 81 percent of the student body, 4.7% were black students, and 3.8% were Hispanic/Latino. In 2020, a former graduate organized a petition drive to rename the Benson auditorium because of Benson's racist views. The petition also asked that the auditorium carry the name of Botham Jean instead, a recent Black alumnus who had been murdered in his own apartment by

11537-400: The first things he did upon assuming the presidency was to establish a firm salary schedule that would be paid each month rather than paying "whatever the school could afford". In 1937, Harding began holding "Distinguished Speaker" lectures on campus with speakers such as James L. Kraft and Charles F. Kettering . In 1943, Benson started and directed Camp Tahkodah, purchasing it himself after

11676-446: The forums focused on affirming "faith in God, constitutional government, and free private enterprise", but as the Cold War intensified the focus shifted to anti-communism. In 1955, Youth Forums on Americanism were added for high school students. Hicks assessed the NEP's effectiveness, concluding that Reagan's 1980 victory can be attributed in part to "the grassroots activism carefully nurtured by men such as George Benson with his NEP". In

11815-515: The government is stable will individuals venture the capital that creates jobs. He also saw America's economic success as dependent on personal integrity, with that being grounded in faith in God. Benson viewed the federal government's role as "umpire" rather than "guarantor of security" that would take individual freedom to deliver that security. As he embarked for China, Benson thought of Americans as "alert, ambitious, and hopeful", "self-reliant and "independent". Upon returning in 1936, however, he saw

11954-440: The highest standards of Christian morality, integrity, orderliness and personal honor. Harding reserves the right to refuse admittance or dismiss any student whose lifestyle is not consistent with the Christian principles that Harding represents. The Faculty Handbook, with narrow exceptions, requires Churches of Christ membership of all faculty members. All faculty members must affirm as part of an annual evaluation that he or she

12093-757: The history department, where it was intertwined with the American Studies Program. Clifton Ganus Jr. and James D. Bales were also heavily involved. NEP materials were used nationwide by groups such as the U.S. armed forces, public schools, colleges and universities, chapters of the American Legion, and local chambers of commerce. Some uses became controversial: Some companies required their employees to attend NEP-sponsored seminars and enclosed copies of Benson's lectures with their paychecks in hopes of addressing perceived restlessness. The Fulbright Memorandum of June 1961 raised concerns about use of NEP materials in

12232-491: The inheritance of the land. Yet, Abraham did not receive it during all the time of his journey there. Accordingly, it must be that Abraham, together with his seed (that is, those who fear God and believe in Him), will receive it at the resurrection of the just." In another place Irenaeus also explained that the blessing to Jacob "belongs unquestionably to the times of the kingdom when the righteous will bear rule, after their rising from

12371-435: The institution's financial resources and endowments, and undertook a costly building program." He hired retired NCA Review Board members to evaluate the school and make recommendations. The 1953 NCA reviewers recognized "a top quality faculty", fully satisfactory physical plant, "one of the most stable financial situations among small colleges", and high quality graduates. However, there was strong opposition to Benson's work with

12510-480: The integration of Central High School in Little Rock. In 1957, student body president Bill Floyd circulated a "statement of attitude" that affirmed that the signers were ready to accept black students. Upon hearing of it, Benson announced in the required daily chapel that students should not sign it, yet over 85 percent of the student body and almost one hundred faculty and staff did so. Nevertheless, Benson dismissed

12649-502: The intensive Bible training short courses that had been conducted several times in 1932 were expanded and formalized as the Canton Bible School, starting with 14 full-time students. The three-year program included Chinese reading and writing in addition to the primary Bible instruction. As the students matured, they participated in evangelism work in the country, taught children's Bible classes, and taught children to read and write at

12788-431: The judgment of older people with more experience, such as the Harding board of trustees. He went further, stating that Black people were far better off in the US than in other countries, and that integration would result in destruction of property, the spread of venereal diseases, and increased pregnancies. He also stated that mixed marriages would lead to broken homes and a rise in crime. Benson maintained that mixing of

12927-459: The largest in the country for any level. Harding won the Division II national championship in football in 2023. Spring Sing is an annual musical production held during Easter Weekend, featuring performances by the social clubs. It is widely attended by current and prospective students, alumni, and Searcy residents. An estimated 12,000 people attended the show each year. Each year, an overall theme

13066-485: The major figure at General Motors Corporation . The animations contrast mainstream American values with the values of Soviet communism . The initiative represented a central concern of Harding president George S. Benson , who believed that fighting socialism was a moral imperative. Early in his career, President Benson established the National Education Program to advocate the principles of belief in God,

13205-536: The medieval doctrine of the millennium by referring to it as "the church of God which, by the diffusion of its faith and works, is spread out as a kingdom of faith from the time of the incarnation until the time of the coming judgment". A notable exception to normative medieval eschatology is found in Joachim of Fiore (c. 1135–1202), a Cistercian monk, who to an extent, stressed premillennial themes. Joachim divided earth's history into three periods. He assigned each age to

13344-401: The military. The NEP was charged with being a "Radical Right" organization in the 1964 book Danger on the Right , which Bales responded to in his 1965 book Americanism under Fire . The close relationship between Harding and the NEP delayed the college's accreditation until 1954 when the school incorporated it as a separate entity, although Benson, Ganus, and Bales continued their involvement and

13483-467: The millennial rule as a Golden Age in which Christian ethics prosper through preaching and redemptive work, but occurring before the second coming. Premillennialism is often used to refer specifically to those who adhere to the beliefs in an earthly millennial reign of Christ as well as a rapture of the faithful coming before (dispensational) or after (historic) the Great Tribulation preceding

13622-464: The millennium of Revelation 20 became for him "symbolically representative of Christ’s present reign with the saints." Richard Landes observed the 4th century as a time of major shift for Christian eschatology by noting that it "marked a crucial moment in the history of millenarianism, since during this period Augustine repudiated even the allegorizing variety he himself had previously accepted. From this point on he dedicated much of his energy to ridding

13761-468: The mistakes that had felled great civilizations of past, taking as his debate theme "The Seventh Nation" in which America was compared with Egypt, Babylonia, Persia, Syria, Greece and Rome. Abroad, Benson observed much lower standards of living despite comparable natural resources. He concluded key differences were the stability of America's constitutional government along with innovation from its private enterprise economic system. Benson believed that only when

13900-416: The movement for equal opportunity makes us proud, even boastful; it makes us happy, even ecstatic", though at least one scholar viewed that statement "dubiously". By 1969 Harding had only 20 black students out of a student body of over 2,000. While president Clifton L. Ganus, Jr , stated that he did not "see any Biblical injunction against it", he discouraged interracial relationships. Under his leadership,

14039-533: The national pay roll" that had brought down the Greek and Roman democracies. Benson "promised himself that he'd do something in his small way". Upon assuming the Harding presidency, Benson had quickly become a regular regional speaker as he raised funds. But he gained national prominence through a 1941 speech to the Congressional Ways and Means Committee . He was the 147th speaker at public hearings about how to fund

14178-500: The newly independent Zambian government offered land to Church of Christ missionary J.D. Merritt if he would build a secondary school on it. Merritt asked Benson to help raise funds for that purpose. Namwianga Christian Secondary School opened in 1966 and Kabanga Christian Secondary School several years later. In 1989, George Benson Christian College opened as a teacher training college on the Namwianga Mission site. Benson served

14317-453: The production of a series of animated cartoons extolling the virtues of free-market capitalism. This series, including " Make Mine Freedom " (1948) as well as "Meet King Joe" (1949), were all produced by John Sutherland Productions as part of a concerted campaign to fight against the threats of communism at the beginning of the Cold War using popular media. Funding came from Alfred P. Sloan ,

14456-674: The prospect of losing federal funds, in the fall of 1963 three black students were admitted to the Searcy campus. Benson's stated reasons for opposing desegregation in 1956 were that the "community is not yet ready" and that time was required for the South to absorb the "great shock" of the Supreme Court decision. He claimed that integrating immediately would cause white students to leave Harding, and that equal educational opportunities were available for all without integration, stating "The Little Rock Nine left

14595-443: The publication "offensive and degrading". As a result of this decision by the administration, the controversy received attention from national newspapers like The New York Times , The New Yorker , and online platforms like Jezebel and The Huffington Post . In 2018, HU Queer Press 2.0 was launched, with members producing a zine titled Hear Queer Voices aiming to "foster a relationship between Harding University and

14734-457: The queer community". In April 2022, HU Queer Press 3.0 was announced, with members releasing a zine titled Look Around , requesting "that Harding University fully acknowledge, affirm, and protect its LGBT students". The university sponsors student-led "social clubs" that serve a similar social networking function to the Greek system, as Harding prohibits formation of local chapters of national social fraternities and sororities . (One exception

14873-430: The races was against the divine order. In 1953, Norman Adamson became the first black person accepted to Harding. However, when administrators learned he was black he was denied admission. In 1963, three black students were admitted to the Searcy campus, making Harding the second private institution in Arkansas to admit black people. In a 2012 article, it was suggested that this decision was motivated by expectation that

15012-469: The real need was for local school districts to "set our own house in order, rather than asking for Federal aid to keep a disorderly house supplied with unnecessary funds". He characterized Federal "aid" to states as merely a return of taxes paid by those states and "weighted with a group of bureaucrats and political hangers-on", and that such "aid" would lead to increased federal government control. In 1946 Benson debated Dr. Ralph Norton of Columbia University on

15151-508: The recruitment and preparation of future missionaries for China". After their first year in China, Sally wrote a short book, "Chats About China" to share their "first impressions" of the people in the "small part of South China" they had observed so the reader might "know something about the people on this side of the world" and "be interested in their soul salvation". Towards the end of his career, George wrote "Missionary Experiences". He discusses preparation and attitude for effectively sharing

15290-655: The registry is Pattie Cobb Hall. The Reynolds Center was created through and named for philanthropist Donald W. Reynolds . The university maintains satellite campuses in Arkansas, one in North Little Rock and a second in Rogers . Harding maintains permanent campuses in Florence and Athens . Study abroad semester programs are also provided in Brisbane , London , Paris , Arequipa (Peru), and Kalomo ( Zambia ). Structurally,

15429-509: The rent for the shack he lived in. The year away from home in Claremore was foundational in his resolve to serve God "above all else" and "regardless of where it might lead". After three years working on the family farm and teaching in nearby schools, George completed high school in Kingfisher. Benson attended Harper Junior College in Kansas, later to merge into Harding College , where J.N. Armstrong

15568-579: The residence of a single member of the opposite sex, even though others are present, without permission from a student life dean, is prohibited. Staying overnight in a residence, motel, hotel, or any such arrangement with a member of the opposite sex, without permission from a student life dean, will result in suspension, although explicit sexual immorality may not have been observed. Students are not to visit "inappropriate" places of entertainment such as dance clubs or bars. Students are not allowed to participate in suggestive or social dancing. All-campus curfew

15707-524: The school's situation in Bartlesville, OK was hopeless. He asked for Benson's help with moving the school to Tulsa or Oklahoma City. After a year of Benson "leading and guiding the moving program", the board named him Chancellor so he could represent the college on a more authoritative basis, and asked Harding to release Benson for approximately a third of his time. Benson primarily focused on fund raising, delegating day-to-day operations to President Baird. When

15846-421: The segregated society in which he was raised", "feared the loss of conservative donations that would have followed early desegregation", dreaded interracial marriage, and it is unclear if he ever "acknowledged his mistakes and racial myopia". Yet, "on some level, Benson too believed that 'God was no respecter of persons.'" In early 1955, Central Christian College president Baird met with Benson and expressed that

15985-449: The sexta-/septamillennial scheme writing that the end of human history will occur after the 6,000th year. (5.28.3). Irenaeus and Justin represent two of the most outspoken premillennialists of the pre-Nicean church. Other early premillennialists included Pseudo-Barnabas , Papias , Methodius , Lactantius , Commodianus Theophilus , Tertullian, Melito , Hippolytus of Rome , Victorinus of Pettau and various Gnostics groups and

16124-576: The sporting events are: First Security Stadium, Ganus Activities Complex, Stevens Soccer Complex, Jerry Moore Field (baseball), Berry Family Grandstand (softball), Harding Tennis Complex, and the Rhodes-Reaves Field House. On October 19, 2019, the new indoor football facility was dedicated in honor of longtime football head coach Ronnie Huckeba. The Huckeba Field House is the largest indoor practice facility in NCAA Division II and one of

16263-451: The statement as "not an accurate expression of student feeling" and explained "they didn't understand what they were signing". The following day, students posted an ironic "whites only" sign in the lily pool, a decorative pond that serves as the central gathering place on the Searcy campus. Harding's graduate school in Memphis admitted four black students in 1962. Integration proceeded slowly at Harding, with blacks comprising less than 2% of

16402-402: The student body in 1970, and challenges in areas like roommate assignments, dating and athletics continued beyond Benson's presidency. In 2012, Mike D. Brown wrote that Harding's 1963 decision to begin admitting black students was motivated by expectation that the coming Civil Rights Act would require "Harding to desegregate to continue receiving federal funds". Key concurs, noting that "Congress

16541-499: The thousand apocalyptical years are not passed but future. 2. That the coming of Christ to raise the dead and to judge the earth will be within much less than this thousand years. 3. That the conversion of the Jews will not be till this present state of the world is near unto its end. 4. That, after the Jews' conversion there will be a glorious day for the elect upon earth, and that this day shall be

16680-490: The topic of federal aid to education. The National Education Program (NEP) was set up as a Harding's Department of National Education in 1941 and formally separated from the college in 1954. The NEP produced a variety of materials intended to advance "the facts about our economic system, our constitutional government, and our spiritual heritage". In 1954 these included the weekly "Looking Ahead" and "Listen, Americans" columns carried by 4,000 weekly newspapers and trade newspapers,

16819-724: The university comprises nine separate colleges: the College of Allied Health, the College of Arts & Humanities, the College of Bible & Ministry, the Paul R. Carter College of Business Administration, the Cannon-Clary College of Education, the Carr College of Nursing, the College of Pharmacy, the College of Sciences, and the Honors College. Each college then has its own subdivisions of departments or other sections. The university also has

16958-431: The university. White County, Arkansas , where Harding is located, is a dry county . The use of nicotine in any form is not permitted at any time, including use of electronic cigarettes or vaporizers. Harding also forbids the use, possession, distribution, or sale of drugs or drug-related paraphernalia. Single undergraduate students, under the age of 22, are required to live on campus, with limited exceptions. Visiting in

17097-512: The view include John Gill, Mike Placko, Charles Spurgeon , James Montgomery Boice , George Eldon Ladd , John Piper , Albert Mohler , Francis Schaeffer , Carl F. H. Henry , Harold Lindsell , D. A. Carson , Bryan Chapell , and Gordon Clark . Dispensational premillennialism generally holds that Israel and the Church are distinct entities. It also widely holds to the pretribulational return of Christ , which believes that Jesus will return to take up Christians into heaven by means of

17236-451: The views of the Chiliasts concerning the millennium." He maintains a premillennial distinction, namely that there would be two resurrections, one of believers before Jesus's reign and then a general resurrection afterwards. Justin wrote in chapter 80 of his work Dialogue with Trypho , "I and others who are right-minded Christians on all points are assured that there will be a resurrection of

17375-525: The week. Once a student is accepted into the club, they attend biweekly meetings and can participate in club-sponsored sports, service projects, and Spring Sing. Harding's social clubs have been involved in hazing controversies over the years. As a result, some have been forced to disband, including the Seminoles (2010), Kappa Sigma Kappa (2005), Mohicans (1981), and most recently Pi Kappa Epsilon (2015). Students at Harding University are expected to maintain

17514-493: Was Marcion . Marcion opposed the use of the Old Testament and most books of the New Testament that were not written by the apostle Paul . Regarding Marcion and premillennialism, Harvard scholar H. Brown noted, Throughout the Patristic period—particularly in the 3rd century—there had been rising opposition to premillennialism. Origen was the first to challenge the doctrine openly. Through allegorical interpretation, he had been

17653-585: Was "a man of small mental capacity" because he had taken the Apocalypse literally. Oxford theologian Alister McGrath has noted that "all medieval theology is 'Augustinian' to a greater or lesser extent." Augustine's (354-430) influence shaped not only the Western Middle Ages , but it also influenced the Protestant reformers , who constantly referred to his teaching in their own debates. His teaching

17792-589: Was already considering what would become the Civil Rights act of 1964", and cites the "similarly pragmatic" Seventh-day Adventist decision to desegregate in 1965, as well as observing that the Freed–Hardeman University president attributed his own school's 1964 policy change "to the mistake of accepting federal funds". Key acknowledges that "extant records do not precisely indicate" the reasoning at Harding. Hicks viewed Harding's action as "voluntary", citing

17931-670: Was becoming insolvent. Finances were further challenged by a controversy that isolated the school from potential donors in the Churches of Christ: In 1935, President Armstrong was accused of being sympathetic to Premillennialism in the Gospel Advocate and Gospel Guardian, which may have led to his resignation. Upon assuming the presidency, Benson was pressured to fire Armstrong from the Bible faculty, and then criticized in publications such as The Bible Banner when he would not. Benson traveled around

18070-528: Was built in a project that included closing a road and creating a pedestrian mall. After competing in the Ganus Athletic Center from 1976 until 2006, Harding's volleyball and basketball teams moved back to the Rhodes-Reaves Field House. The field house is a round-topped airplane hangar built for France in WWII, and purchased as war surplus by George S. Benson. It was reconstructed on campus in 1947. In 2007, it

18209-598: Was formerly a building named for Benson at Oklahoma Christian University , where a student-led civil rights event in 1969 ultimately led to 18 students being arrested and expelled. In 2020, Oklahoma Christian removed Benson's name from the building because of his segregationist views. He married Sally Ellis Hockaday in 1925, and within a week they left for China. Two daughters, Mary Ruth and Lois were born in Hong Kong. Sally Ellis died December 17, 1981. On February 22, 1983, George married his long-time secretary Marguerite O'Banion. Harding College Harding University

18348-728: Was improving. George taught English for a year at Sun Yat-sen University in Canton . Through this experience, he decided that "the most effective way to reach the Chinese people was through teaching English". Following masters studies that improved his understanding of Chinese history and culture, the Bensons returned to Canton in April 1932. Together with a growing team, they opened the Canton English Finishing School opened in February 1933, which grew to over 100 students by year-end. In 1933,

18487-586: Was listed among the Top Twenty Schools nationwide by the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education under two different categories in 2017: student engagement and student inspiration. Harding consistently ranks in the Top 50 for Best Regional Universities in the South according to the U.S. News & World Report . In 2020, it ranked #349 among national universities overall. It was also rated at B by

18626-602: Was narrated by Ronald Reagan at Benson's invitation. In 1949, the NEP conducted its first "Freedom Forum" to help reach Americans with "the facts about our economic system, our constitutional government, and our spiritual heritage". Forums were a mixture of lecture and workshop and organized around a theme, such as "Collectivism - History's Greatest Failure". Enrollment at the first forum was limited to 160, intended for "thought leaders" who could then educate their organization, often businesses. Speakers included Robert Andrews Millikan , Herbert Philbrick , and Fred Schwarz . Initially

18765-894: Was propagated on the popular level largely through the Scofield Reference Bible and on the academic level with Lewis Sperry Chafer 's eight-volume Systematic Theology . More recently dispensational eschatology has been popularized through Hal Lindsey 's 1970s bestseller, The Late, Great Planet Earth and through the Left Behind Series by Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins . Popular proponents of dispensational premillennialism have been John F. MacArthur , Phil Johnson, Ray Comfort , Jerry Falwell , Todd Friel , Dwight Pentecost , John Walvoord , Tim Lahaye , Charles Caldwell Ryrie , Norman Geisler , Erwin Lutzer , and Charles L. Feinberg . Craig Blaising and Darrell Bock have developed

18904-517: Was retrofitted to accentuate the acoustics of the facility, working to the advantage of the home teams. The campus also has intramural sports facilities, including an indoor facility built for the Harding Bison football team in 2019. The Dean L.C. Sears House , named for the first dean of Harding University, was a historic house registered in the National Register of Historic Places . Also on

19043-448: Was the natural order of creation, stating "the blackbirds and bluebirds, the blue jays and mockingbirds, they don't mix and mingle together, young people!" In a 1966 sermon he maintained that "Before God, all men are equal, but in like manner there is no reason to think the Lord wants a mixing of the races and the creating of just one mongrel race. Benson also believed that black people were under

19182-525: Was then president. He went on to earn a B.A. from Harding College in 1925, a B.S. from Oklahoma A&M University , and an M.A. in history with an emphasis in Oriental studies from the University of Chicago in 1931. He received several honorary doctorates including those from Harding University, 1932; Knox College (Illinois) , 1948; and Oklahoma Christian University, 1968. George S. Benson started his career as

19321-472: Was well-received by the Committee and nationally, with 2 million reprints requested. Congress proceeded to pass the a tax increase without any of his recommended spending cuts, but by the end of 1943 all three agencies had been abolished. In 1945 and 1948, Benson spoke to congressional committees opposing federal funding for state and local education. While acknowledging educational deficiencies, he argued that

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