1 Early History of Biola’s Teaching Posi tion on Israel and the Millennial Kingdom | Paul W. Rood © 2017 The Early History of Biola’s Teaching Position on Israel and the Millennial Kingdom By Paul W. Rood Summary of the Article The story of the origins of the Articles of Faith and the distinctive premillennial teaching position of the founders and early leaders of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles has largely been forgotten by the Biola community and its broader evangelical constituency. Their strong doctrinal positions were unpopular positions among the progressive audiences of their day; and, although for a portion of the twentieth century they were broadly embraced by much of American evangelicalism, they are once again viewed with curiosity, indifference or scoffing disdain in many quarters. The purpose of this essay is to provide readers with a historical overview of the statements and actions of the early generations of Biolans with respect to their convictions concerning these important matters. The important lessons of history are not transmitted by web-pages, podcasts, or databases – they have to be renewed regularly in our mind and taught to the next generation. The story of Biolaǯs future convictions regarding these matters remains to be written. Those who tell the story of their past have already begun to build the next generationǯs future. Biola’s First Statement of Principles – 1908 In 1887, the devout oilman Lyman Stewart helped found Occidental College and, as an active and sometimes troublesome trustee of the Presby- terian college, waged a losing battle over two decades to maintain the orthodox teaching of their Bible department and the evangelical character of the school. 1 This experience convinced Stewart that a "good founding" for any Christian enterprise required that it be established on sound Biblical doctrine, with firm safeguards in its constitution, bylaws, and discipline to ensure Dzenduring fidelity to the truth." Biola Groundbreaking Ceremony 1912 From left, Sammis, Hackett, Torrey, Horton, Atterbury, Merrill, Stewart, Irvine As the lead founder of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Stewart established the new school on the front line in defense of the Bible and orthodox Christian faith against theological liberalism. The group of evangelical leaders that joined Stewart in organizing the Bible Institute during a prayer meeting at the boardroom of the Los Angeles YMCA on February 25, 1908, included Rev. A.B. Pritchard, Dr. B.C. Atterbury, William E. Blackstone, Rev. T.C. Horton, S.I. Merrill, E.A.K. Hackett, Rev. R.A. Hadden, and W.L. Greene. All shared a commit- ment to core doctrines of Biblical orthodoxy as well as distinctive theological positions which informed the teaching position of the new school. Simple but straightforward Articles of Incorporation were drafted, which included the following statement. PRINCIPLES governing said Institute are as follows: (1) No person shall be qualified for election or ser- vice as a Director who does not believe in the full and complete Divine inspiration, the infallibility and supreme authority of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, in the Deity of Jesus Christ, in His death as a substitutionary sacrifice, in his present intercession at the right hand of God, and His pre- millennial and imminent return, and in the personal presence and efficiency of the Holy Spirit in the Church. (2) There shall be no preaching or teaching in connection with said Bible Institute that shall not accord with the spirit of this Statement of Belief. 2