His first teaching position was at Candler School of Theology at Emory University (1952-1958) in Atlanta, Georgia. He then taught at Claremont (first at Claremont School of Theology [1958-1964] and then Claremont Graduate School later University [1964-1999]); at the Graduate School he held an endowed chair, the Arthur Letts, Jr., Professor of Religion.
He began his academic career at Candler School of Theology at Emory University (1952-1958) in Atlanta, Georgia. He then went on to teach at Claremont, first at its school of theology and later at its graduate school, which became a university, holding the endowed Arthur Letts chair for religion from 1964 to 1999.