125 Western Baptist Theological Seminary, Portland, Oregon, where he also served as the Seminary Librarian. In his first year in Portland, he served as interim Pastor of two Baptist churches. Afterward he spent his weekends traveling as a "Circuit Riding Preacher,'' speaking in small rural churches. Prior to going to Western in 1950, Jim had sent an announcement of the Commencement Service from Eastern Seminary to his former pastor, Dr. Suther- land, then Dean of Biola, who immediately invited him to become Registrar of the School. Although Dr. Christian at first turned down the invitation, later, in October, 1951, he indicated his interest in the position; Dr. Sutherland then made arrangements for Dr. Christian to become Registrar, effective in April, 1951. In 1954, Dr. Christian becme the sixth Dean of Biola, with his original title being "Director of the College," which meant that he would continue as Dean, but would have more prestige, which it was thought would help the School attain full accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. This Association, however, did not understand the original title, so it soon reverted to that of Dean. The academic accreditation for Biola was an important step and a major process for several years. For this accreditation procedure, Dr. Earl Pul- lius, a mamber of the faculty of the University of Southern Calfornia, was retained as an advisor. With the counsel of Dr. Pullius, the supervision of Dr. Sutherland, and the detailed work of Dr. Christian, the goal of ac- creditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges was fin- ally attained. Dr. Christian's career at Biola, indeed, has been varied: Registrar from 1951 to 1959, with some overlapping of duties; Dean from 1954 to 1967; administrative responsibilities; and teacher of various classes in both the College and the Seminary, until 1967, when he resigned as Dean, 'desiring to devote his time to teaching. Since then he has taught full time in Talbot
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