Changes

Tharpe was born to Lester H. Tharpe (1905-1972), a fisherman,<ref name=ssdi>{{cite web|url=http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi|title=Social Security Death Index|publisher=rootsweb.com|access date=December 24, 2008}}</ref> and the former Fern Crump (1910-1963) in Sibley, five miles south of Minden, the seat of Webster Parish in northwestern Louisiana. The senior Tharpe was an alcoholic who converted to [[Christianity]] but frequently doubted his salvation and sometimes returned to drinking.<ref>Jimmy G. Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', Springfield, Missouri: 21st Century Press, 2003, pp. 19, 24-25</ref> Jimmy Tharpe played [[baseball]] in his youth and graduated in 1947 from Sibley High School, renamed and relocated early in the 21st century as Lakeside High School. As a youth, Tharpe attended the First [[Methodist]] Church in Sibley, along with his mother and sometimes his father, where he was called to the ministry and at twenty became the Sunday school superintendent. After his marriage on April 21, 1950, to the former Mary Edith Moore (August 17, 1932&mdash;March 23, 2007),<ref name=ssdi/>of Sibley, whom he once courted every day for a month, Tharpe switched to Missionary Baptist affiliation and joined the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Minden, under pastor [[L.L. Clover]] (1902-1975).<ref>Statement of Jack Donald Tharpe, Sibley, Louisiana, December 15, 2008</ref>The Methodist minister in Sibley, L.M. Sawyer, urged Tharpe to remain with his congregation and broke down when Tharpe told him that he had switched to Missionary Baptist, a change which would require [[baptism]] by immersion because Baptists do not recognize the Methodist "sprinkling" procedure.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 37-38, 40</ref>

Tharpe was born to Lester H. Tharpe (1905-1972), a fisherman,<ref name=ssdi>{{cite web|url=http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi|title=Social Security Death Index|publisher=rootsweb.com|access date=December 24, 2008}}</ref> and the former Fern Crump (1910-1963) in Sibley, five miles south of Minden, the seat of Webster Parish in northwestern Louisiana. The senior Tharpe was an alcoholic who converted to [[Christianity]] but frequently doubted his salvation and sometimes returned to drinking.<ref>Jimmy G. Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', Springfield, Missouri: 21st Century Press, 2003, pp. 19, 24-25</ref> Jimmy Tharpe played [[baseball]] in his youth and graduated in 1947 from Sibley High School, renamed and relocated early in the 21st century as Lakeside High School. As a youth, Tharpe attended the First [[Methodist]] Church in Sibley, along with his mother and sometimes his father, where he was called to the ministry and at twenty became the Sunday school superintendent. After his marriage on April 21, 1950, to the former Mary Edith Moore (August 17, 1932&mdash;March 23, 2007),<ref name=ssdi/>of Sibley, whom he once courted every day for a month, Tharpe switched to Missionary Baptist affiliation and joined the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Minden, under pastor [[L.L. Clover]] (1902-1975).<ref>Statement of Jack Donald Tharpe, Sibley, Louisiana, December 15, 2008</ref>The Methodist minister in Sibley, L.M. Sawyer, urged Tharpe to remain with his congregation and broke down when Tharpe told him that he had switched to Missionary Baptist, a change which would require [[baptism]] by immersion because Baptists do not recognize the Methodist "sprinkling" procedure.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 37-38, 40</ref>

Tharpe was one of the first two graduates of the [[Louisiana Missionary Baptist Institute and Seminary]]<ref name=lbu>{{cite web|url=http://www.lbu.edu/faculty&staff.htm|title=Louisiana Baptist University, faculty and staff listing|publisher=lbu.edu|access date=December 24, 2008}}</ref>, established in Minden in 1952 by pastor Clover.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calvarybaptistminden.com/pages/aboutcalvary.html|title=History of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Minden, Louisiana|publisher=calvarybaptistminden.com|access date=December 24, 2008}}</ref> At seventeen, Tharpe began working for the Illinois Central Railroad. When he entered LMBIS in 1952, Tharpe told Clover that he wanted to keep his job and study part-time. Clover told him that such a decision would demonstrate a lack of faith, that Tharpe must be full-time in the ministry to succeed, and depend on [[God]] for his sustenance.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', p. 143</ref>LMBIS is affiliated with the American Baptist Association, a Landmark Baptist entity based in Texarkana, [[Texas]], the organization of Missionary Baptist churches distinct from Southern Baptists or Independent Baptists.<ref name=mph>{{cite web|url=http://www.nwlanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11318&Itemid=33|title=[[Obituary]] of Jimmy G. Tharpe, November 30, 2008|publisher=''[[Minden Press-Herald]]''|access date=December 24, 2008}}</ref>

Tharpe was one of the first two graduates of the [[Louisiana Missionary Baptist Institute and Seminary]]<ref name=lbu>{{cite web|url=http://www.lbu.edu/faculty&staff.htm|title=Louisiana Baptist University, faculty and staff listing|publisher=lbu.edu|access date=December 24, 2008}}</ref>, established in Minden in 1952 by pastor Clover.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calvarybaptistminden.com/pages/aboutcalvary.html|title=History of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Minden, Louisiana|publisher=calvarybaptistminden.com|access date=December 24, 2008}}</ref> At seventeen, Tharpe began working for the Illinois Central Railroad. When he entered LMBIS in 1952, Tharpe told Clover that he wanted to keep his job and study part-time. Clover told him that such a decision would demonstrate a lack of faith, that Tharpe must be full-time in the ministry to succeed, and depend on [[God]] for his sustenance.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', p. 143</ref>LMBIS is affiliated with the American Baptist Association, a Landmark Baptist entity based in Texarkana, [[Texas]], the organization of Missionary Baptist churches distinct from Southern Baptists or Independent Baptists.<ref name=mph>{{cite web|url=http://www.nwlanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11318&Itemid=33|title=[[Obituary]] of Jimmy G. Tharpe, November 30, 2008|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|access date=December 24, 2008}}</ref>

   

   

After LMBIS, Tharpe procured a master of arts degree from Trinity College ([[Florida]]), signed by the college president T.W. Watson. Trinity was then in Clearwater but since relocated to Temple Terrace in Hillsborough County near [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]]. He was in-house at Florida Trinity for only two summers but transferred credits from Methodist-affiliated Centenary College of Shreveport and East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, toward the master's degree.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', p. 143</ref> Trinity no longer offers master's degrees. Evangelist [[Billy Graham]] graduated from Florida Trinity when the institution was known as Florida Bible Institute. Tharpe years later received his doctor of philosophy degree from [[National Christian University]] based in Lytle, south of San Antonio, Texas, but with a campus also in [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]]. His memoirs do not give the years of any of his degrees.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', p. 12</ref>  

After LMBIS, Tharpe procured a master of arts degree from Trinity College ([[Florida]]), signed by the college president T.W. Watson. Trinity was then in Clearwater but since relocated to Temple Terrace in Hillsborough County near [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]]. He was in-house at Florida Trinity for only two summers but transferred credits from Methodist-affiliated Centenary College of Shreveport and East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, toward the master's degree.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', p. 143</ref> Trinity no longer offers master's degrees. Evangelist [[Billy Graham]] graduated from Florida Trinity when the institution was known as Florida Bible Institute. Tharpe years later received his doctor of philosophy degree from [[National Christian University]] based in Lytle, south of San Antonio, Texas, but with a campus also in [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]]. His memoirs do not give the years of any of his degrees.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', p. 12</ref>  

==Biblical teachings==

==Biblical teachings==

Tharpe taught the principle that a believer in Christ could not lose the gift of [[salvation]] regardless of subsequent [[sin]]. In his memoirs, he writes, "When a child of God sins, the chastisement of God will come. . . . When [[Samson]] (who was a man of God) sinned, he lost his eyes, his respect, and finally lost his life. He didn't lose his salvation. He lost his joy, then his life. God's word teaches that [[Moses]] died a premature death because he smote the rock instead of speaking to it. He died because of disobedience to God. [[King David|David]] sinned by committing [[adultery]], then tried to hide it by [[murder]]. God did not take his salvation, but he did take his joy. David said in [[Psalm]] 51:12, "restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.." Losing your joy is probably the worst of all chastisements. Yet, God chastens his children.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 192-193</ref>

Tharpe taught the principle that a believer in Christ could not lose the gift of salvation regardless of subsequent [[sin]]. In his memoirs, he writes, "When a child of God sins, the chastisement of God will come. . . . When [[Samson]] (who was a man of God) sinned, he lost his eyes, his respect, and finally lost his life. He didn't lose his salvation. He lost his joy, then his life. God's word teaches that [[Moses]] died a premature death because he smote the rock instead of speaking to it. He died because of disobedience to God. [[King David|David]] sinned by committing [[adultery]], then tried to hide it by [[murder]]. God did not take his salvation, but he did take his joy. David said in [[Psalm]] 51:12, "restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.." Losing your joy is probably the worst of all chastisements. Yet, God chastens his children.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 192-193</ref>

In regard to the [[New Testament]] church, Tharpe taught that Jesus "did not organize a big, universal, mystical body. He organized a local church with a group of baptized believers who [[covenant]]ed together in an assembly to carry out His commands. It is a privilege to be a part of it. Great blessings are in store for those who keep the doors of the church open. People who put Christ first, who will dare to be different, who will suffer for his cause, are the ones who believe that His church is great."<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', p. 203</ref>

In regard to the [[New Testament]] church, Tharpe taught that Jesus "did not organize a big, universal, mystical body. He organized a local church with a group of baptized believers who [[covenant]]ed together in an assembly to carry out His commands. It is a privilege to be a part of it. Great blessings are in store for those who keep the doors of the church open. People who put Christ first, who will dare to be different, who will suffer for his cause, are the ones who believe that His church is great."<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', p. 203</ref>

==Ministerial matters, 1952-2003==

==Ministerial matters, 1952-2003==

Tharpe was also responsible for the establishment of some seventy-five churches in Louisiana and Texas,<ref name=mph/>the last having been Sibley Baptist Tabernacle in Tharpe's hometown. On a number of Sundays, Tharpe preached at Sibley Tabernacle in a 9 a.m. service and returned to Shreveport for the 11 a.m. worship.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', p. 60-61</ref>

Tharpe was also responsible for the establishment of some seventy-five churches in Louisiana and Texas,<ref name=mph/>the last having been Sibley Baptist Tabernacle in Tharpe's hometown. On a number of Sundays, Tharpe preached at Sibley Tabernacle in a 9 a.m. service and returned to Shreveport for the 11 a.m. worship.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', p. 60-61</ref>

==Baptist Christian College==

==Baptist Christian College==

Louisiana Baptist University was founded in 1973 as a graduate school distinct from the four-year Baptist Christian College. The stated purpose of LBU is to provide graduate educational opportunities for pastors and Christian workers while they are simultaneously working at their churches. LBU has trained thousands of pastors and church workers, including more than a dozen  Christian college or seminary presidents. Tharpe retired from LBU in 1992 and was succeeded by [[Neal Weaver]] (born 1940). LBU serves about 100 in-class ministerial students and another approximately 1,200 in distance education from 48 states and some 40 other nations. The institution has strived to maintain the latest technology in distance education.<ref name=weaver>Statement of Dr. [[Neal Weaver]], Shreveport, Louisiana, December 12, 2008</ref>

Louisiana Baptist University was founded in 1973 as a graduate school distinct from the four-year Baptist Christian College. The stated purpose of LBU is to provide graduate educational opportunities for pastors and Christian workers while they are simultaneously working at their churches. LBU has trained thousands of pastors and church workers, including more than a dozen  Christian college or seminary presidents. Tharpe retired from LBU in 1992 and was succeeded by [[Neal Weaver]] (born 1940). LBU serves about 100 in-class ministerial students and another approximately 1,200 in distance education from 48 states and some 40 other nations. The institution has strived to maintain the latest technology in distance education.<ref name=weaver>Statement of Dr. [[Neal Weaver]], Shreveport, Louisiana, December 12, 2008</ref>

The name Louisiana Baptist University and Theological Seminary was coined in 1994 to separate the identity of the school more clearly from Baptist Christian College, which, as it developed, closed two years thereafter. LBU was previously housed in the Centrum Building on Hollywood Avenue. It relocated to a 12,500-square-foot facility off Interstate 20 at 6301 Westport Avenue in the center of West Shreveport.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 135-137</ref>

The name Louisiana Baptist University and Theological Seminary was coined in 1994 to separate the identity of the school more clearly from Baptist Christian College, which, as it developed, closed two years thereafter. LBU was previously housed in the Centrum Building on Hollywood Avenue in Shreveport. It relocated to a 12,500-square-foot facility off Interstate 20 at 6301 Westport Avenue in the center of West Shreveport.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 135-137</ref>

Numerous LBU faculty and administrators procured degrees from LBU, a practice questioned by the accrediting bodies. Rick Walston, who compiled ''Walston's Guide to Christian Distance Learning'' said that LBU has not sought accreditation from either a secular board or a Christian agency.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=OIFgESgQlzsC&pg=PA243&lpg=PA243&dq=jimmy+g.+tharpe&source=web&ots=drBbJ1clNw&sig=znfYkNxtXO4FqIe9r0CLf-Y1UrE&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result|title=''Walston's Guide to Christian Distance Learning''|publisher=Google Books|access date=December 24, 2008}}</ref>

Numerous LBU faculty and administrators procured degrees from LBU, a practice questioned by the accrediting bodies. Rick Walston, who compiled ''Walston's Guide to Christian Distance Learning'' said that LBU has not sought accreditation from either a secular board or a Christian agency.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=OIFgESgQlzsC&pg=PA243&lpg=PA243&dq=jimmy+g.+tharpe&source=web&ots=drBbJ1clNw&sig=znfYkNxtXO4FqIe9r0CLf-Y1UrE&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result|title=''Walston's Guide to Christian Distance Learning''|publisher=Google Books|access date=December 24, 2008}}</ref>

==Friends of the ministry==

==Friends of the ministry==

Tharpe invited Shreveport [[Mayor]] Clyde Fant, a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]], to the dedication of the santuary building of Shreveport Tabernacle. In his memoirs, Tharpe referred to Fant, a Southern Baptist, as "a remarkable person and instrumental in helping us in so many ways. . . . He was such a great mayor and did a lot for the church to make the dedication day possible."<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 58-59</ref>

Tharpe invited Shreveport [[Mayor]] Clyde Fant, a [[Democrat]], to the dedication of the santuary building of Shreveport Tabernacle. In his memoirs, Tharpe referred to Fant, a Southern Baptist, as "a remarkable person and instrumental in helping us in so many ways. . . . He was such a great mayor and did a lot for the church to make the dedication day possible."<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 58-59</ref>

Tharpe gives special consideration to two [[Episcopal]]ians who aided the ministry. Shreveport attorney George Whitfield Jack, Jr. (1906 - deceased), himself the son of a former [[U.S. District Judge]] and the brother of the late Louisiana State Representative Wellborn Jack, flew to [[Washington, D.C.]], just prior to [[Christmas]] on one occasion to represent Baptist Tabernacle before the [[Securities and Exchange Commission]], which was investigating the sale of church bonds. A government administrator in Fort Worth, Texas, had told Tharpe that the church had two weeks before it must declare bankruptcy, but Jack's trip quickly resolved the matter.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 71-74</ref>

Tharpe gives special consideration to two [[Episcopal]]ians who aided the ministry. Shreveport attorney George Whitfield Jack, Jr. (1906 - deceased), himself the son of a former [[U.S. District Judge]] and the brother of the late Louisiana State Representative Wellborn Jack, flew to [[Washington, D.C.]], just prior to [[Christmas]] on one occasion to represent Baptist Tabernacle before the [[Securities and Exchange Commission]], which was investigating the sale of church bonds. A government administrator in Fort Worth, Texas, had told Tharpe that the church had two weeks before it must declare bankruptcy, but Jack's trip quickly resolved the matter.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 71-74</ref>

Tharpe also developed a close friendship with [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Governor of Louisiana|Governor]] Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr., whom Tharpe supported in the 1995 jungle primary before Foster began to emerge as the leading candidate. The Episcopalian Foster invited Tharpe to lead the [[prayer]] at Foster's [[inauguration]] ceremony. The Tharpes stayed overnight in the Governor's Mansion in Baton Rouge, and he delivered a [[Bible]] study at a prayer breakfast. Foster later invited the pastor to join him on a duck hunting trip in [[South Louisiana]]. Tharpe presented Foster with an honorary degree from LBU. Earlier, Tharpe had accorded such honors to former Republican Governor [[David C. Treen]].<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 91-92, 112-113.</ref>

Tharpe also developed a close friendship with [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Governor]] Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr., whom Tharpe supported in the 1995 jungle primary before Foster began to emerge as the leading candidate. The Episcopalian Foster invited Tharpe to lead the [[prayer]] at Foster's [[inauguration]] ceremony. The Tharpes stayed overnight in the Governor's Mansion in Baton Rouge, and he delivered a [[Bible]] study at a prayer breakfast. Foster later invited the pastor to join him on a duck hunting trip in [[South Louisiana]]. Tharpe presented Foster with an honorary degree from LBU. Earlier, Tharpe had accorded such honors to former Republican Governor [[David C. Treen]].<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 91-92, 112-113.</ref>

Others listed as "Friends of the Ministry" are the late [[Jerry Falwell]] of [[Liberty University]] in Lynchburg, [[Virginia]], [[Lee Roberson]], the founder of Tennessee Temple University, Falwell mentor [[B.R. Lakin]], and [[R.G. Lee]] of [[Bellevue Baptist Church]] in Memphis, Tennessee. Two [[Western (genre)|Western]] [[film]] stars, Lash La Rue (1917-1996) and [[Dale Robertson]], best known for his old [[television series]] ''Tales of Wells Fargo'', are also mentioned in Tharpe's memoirs. Tharpe declared "Lash La Rue" day at Baptist Tabernacle and baptized the Louisiana-born actor, who had already declared his belief in Jesus Christ.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 74-76, 86-87, 115</ref> Missionary Baptist policy restricts formal pulpit speaker to members of that denomination, but Tharpe said that he felt he should offer access to any traditional believer in the Gospel regardless of denominational ties.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 53-54</ref>

Others listed as "Friends of the Ministry" are the late [[Jerry Falwell]] of [[Liberty University]] in Lynchburg, [[Virginia]], [[Lee Roberson]], the founder of Tennessee Temple University, Falwell mentor [[B.R. Lakin]], and [[R.G. Lee]] of [[Bellevue Baptist Church]] in Memphis, Tennessee. Two [[Western (genre)|Western]] [[film]] stars, Lash La Rue (1917-1996) and [[Dale Robertson]], best known for his old [[television series]] ''Tales of Wells Fargo'', are also mentioned in Tharpe's memoirs. Tharpe declared "Lash La Rue" day at Baptist Tabernacle and baptized the Louisiana-born actor, who had already declared his belief in Jesus Christ.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 74-76, 86-87, 115</ref> Missionary Baptist policy restricts formal pulpit speaker to members of that denomination, but Tharpe said that he felt he should offer access to any traditional believer in the Gospel regardless of denominational ties.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 53-54</ref>