124 one of his playmates about the reality of Jesus Christ, although he was not a Christian, but neither was he Jewish. The Christian family were charter members of the Hollywood Cresent Hei- ghts Methodist Church, and although .Jim received his early religious train- ing in that Sunday School, he was never informed in the matter of pe r sonal salvation. He did hear some of the older members of the Church speak of "a great experience," with never any answer to the questions of the young people. Because the emphasis of his Church was more on the social and econ- omic problems, Jim began listening to Gospel Radio programs, which resulted in his personal conviction of sin; and, finally, on September 25, 1935, while listening to the Country Church of Hollywood, when he undestood how to be saved, he asked Jesus Christ into his heart. After approximately another year at his Church, unhappy, frustrated and in need of Scriptural teaching, early in 1937, Jim responded to the invitation of a Biola Board member to attend the Calvary Church of Holly- VVDC>d, to which he eventually transferred his membership, when he realized he was being spiritually instructed by the pastor, Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland. Later, Jim enrolled in Biola, from which he graduated in June, 1942, with the Th . B. Degree. The night following his graduation he and Miss Mildred Alice McBride, who also was graduated in his class, were married in the West Hollywood Presbyterian Church, with Dr. Sutherland performing the ceremony . Im.media tel ~ Jim enrolled in Westmont College, which at that time was located in Los Angeles, and was graduated in 1944, with a B. A. degree. The Christians then moved to Philadelphia, where he attended Eastern Baptist Seminary, from which he received three degrees; in 1946 a Bachelor of Divinity, in 1947 a Master of Theology, and in 1950 a Doctor of Theology. After corrpleting his graduate 'M)rk, for U.x:> and one-half years Dr. Chri?tian served as an Assistant Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at
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