James D. Bales

Who was James D. Bales?

James David Bales was an influential Bible professor and administrator at Harding University for almost 40 years. He was widely known for his conservative viewpoints, both in religious matters and in politics through his work with the college’s American Studies Institute and an adjacent institute, the National Education Program. Working closely with the founder of the National Education Program, Harding President and nationally known conservative activist George S. Benson, Bales played a leading role in establishing Harding, through the work of the National Education Program and School of American Studies, as a nationally known center for conservative activism. He published, among other works, The Martin Luther King Story: a Study in Apostasy, Agitation, and Anarchy, which attacks King as a radical and a communist.

A defender and author for conservative causes, Bales acquired an almost legendary reputation among those who had dealings with him at Harding and elsewhere in the Churches of Christ, among both supporters and opponents.