This Week in Christian History: Bob Jones, Gay Bishop, Puritan Missionary to Native Americans

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, October 28, 2018

Bob Jones, Sr. is Born - October 30, 1883

Bob Jones, Senior (1883-1968), notable fundamentalist preacher and founder of Bob Jones University. | (Photo: Public Domain)

This week marks the anniversary of when notable fundamentalist preacher and founder of Bob Jones University, Bob Jones, Sr, was born.

Jones began his preaching career as a traveling evangelist who started out touring the South and by the 1920s, expanded to include northern locales.

Jones became known for his pioneering usage of radio to advance his religious message and in 1944 helped to found the National Religious Broadcasters organization.

In 1927, he launched Bob Jones College, later becoming Bob Jones University in 1947, as a way to help advance higher education for young Christians.

"His vision was to establish a training center for Christians from around the world that would be distinguished by its academic excellence, refined standards of behavior, and opportunities to appreciate the performing and visual arts," noted BJU's website.

"At the same time, Dr. Jones' intent was to make a place where Christ would be the center of all thought and conduct."