‘Doctor” Richard Fales is introduced in the film THE GOD MAKERS as one with authority and credentials to speak on the subject of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Narrator: “Doctor Richard Fales, author, lecturer, archaeologist.”

THE GOD MAKERS film was released in 1983. The 1983 edition of Yellow Pages for Canoga Park, Los Angeles County, California lists Dr Richard Fales as a pastor of West Canoga Baptist Church, and this is his only real credential.

“Doctor” Fales taught at the California Graduate School of Theology in Glendale CA, which is in the same area as West Canoga Baptist Church. 

The school catalog describes Fales as a “genuine archaeologist” with post-graduate degrees from the Baptist Bible Seminary and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, yet neither of these schools has ever had a Richard Fales as a student or graduate.

Fales claims a Th. G. degree and a Th. B. degree from Baptist Bible Seminary.  BBS says these degrees require 3 years and four years of attending study at the school and that Fales was there for only two years and did not graduate and did not receive a degree.

Fales also claims a Th.D. and a Ph. D. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  SBTS have never had a Richard Fales enrolled there.  Paul Debusman states: 

“He is not listed in our graduates—

not in our card catalog where dissertations are listed—

no books by him.  

If you have written proof that he claims to be a graduate of our school, I’m sure our administration would like to investigate the matter as I believe he is making a false claim.”

Dr Jerry Vardaman of the Institute of Archaeology, Mississippi State University who is informed in archaeological matters writes that he knows nothing of Richard Fales and that Fales is not listed in ‘WHO’S WHO IN ARCHAEOLOGY’ when, as a “RENOWNED BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGIST” he would be.

The only school Fales claims to have attended (Baptist Bible College) said: “We do not offer any courses in archaeology.”

Fales is also absent from “WHO’S WHO IN BIBLICAL STUDIES AND ARCHAEOLOGY”, 1986-1987.

The 1988 catalog of the California School of Theology where “Doctor” Fales teaches, lists him as “a published author of four books, 200 feature articles, stories and columns on ancient archaeology and historical treasures.”

The only book by Richard Fales that could be found is AT THE EDGE OF THE RAILROAD, a hodge-podge of railroad stories and finds, including a story by Zane Grey.

No other books, articles, stories or columns by Fales could be unearthed. 

No doctorate degrees awarded to Fales could be found. 

No graduate degrees awarded to Fales could be found.

No bachelors degrees awarded to Fales could be found.

Ed Meyers, editor of  “BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGIST” states:

“Normally, one holds a Ph.D. or equivalent to be a specialist in biblical archaeology.

Fales does not hold a graduate degree from any school and the only school he attended doesn’t offer courses in archaeology..

Fales still publishes a website that claims he is a PhD.   This is copied directly from it:  'Biblical and American Archaeologist [BAA] - Richard M. Fales, Ph.D.'

Fale's site states:

The BAA is led by a multi cultural leadership team with highly educated experts in Biblical Archaeology, History, and Theology. This team delivers the following services to carry out its mission, and strives to make these services as affordable and accessible as possible:

Education - Lectures on a variety of archaeological subjects, enhanced by actual ancient artifacts and visual illustrations; training in field archaeology and field trips to archaeological sites are also scheduled several times per year.

Travel - Educational tours are led by on-site archaeologists to sites within the United States, as well as to the Middle East (Israel and Egypt), Europe (British Isles, Italy, Greece), North Africa, and Central and South America.

Officer and Leaders are:

Richard M. Fales, Ph.D. - Founder & Director

You have been introduced to Bogus 'Dr' Fales, so now meet his partner in crime, bogus 'Doctors' Willie Dye.

Willie E. Dye, Ph.D. - Co-Director of BAA