Sara Truedson
Staff Writer
Though religion is an integral part of Pepperdine’s community, can it play an active and friendly role in public life and politics? Professor Bryan McGraw explores and argues this question through his book, “Faith in Politics: the Place of Religion in Liberal Democratic Theory and Practice” in hopes that it will serve as a tool of persuasion that religion and democratic politics need not be enemies.
“Professor McGraw is really good at helping his students take little pieces of theory from different intellectuals and piece them together to form a clear and coherent big picture,” says student, Christina Tippit. McGraw challenges liberal theorists and expands on their views which seem plausible.
“Thinking that the two can (and should) be entirely separated and thinking that they can (and should) be entirely fused,” states McGraw on what he thinks the two biggest mistakes are involving politics and religion.
There needs to be a balance, and an unforced understanding of the two concepts. “Many of our problems, I think, stem from being whipsawed between these two extremes and being told all too often that they are the only two options.”
McGraw, assistant professor of Political Science at Pepperdine, brings experience from prestigious universities: Vanderbilt, Brown, Georgetown and Harvard.
McGraw, once an Intelligence Officer in the Army went on active duty in 1995 and was stationed in Ft. Gordon, Ga. to the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade. “Intelligence in the army is very much about the battlefield,” says McGraw. “It is focused on giving the combat arms commanders the information they need so that they can complete their missions.”
“I can’t say that my work as an intelligence officer gave me much opportunity to think about religion and politics,” says McGraw. “It was only after I decided to do political theory that I began to be aware of the many ways in which religion influences politics (and vice versa).”
This previous experience did not significantly shape his feelings on the Iraq war. He has found himself frustrated by the practice of the war, and states, “though in a sense unsurprised – no war goes particularly well and it is often the side that makes the least mistakes that wins.”
Although McGraw realizes that the army was not his calling, he maintains a lot of respect for those who do that work everyday. “They can see things on photographs or hear things in intercepts that I just couldn’t pick up.”
McGraw, as a Christian political theorist, sees himself as having a two-sided role. “It’s important for me to help the mostly secular academy better understand religion and its import to politics, especially in seeing that religion is much more than jihad or inquisition. I also see it as part of my vocation to help the Church to think and do politics better.”
McGraw thinks of himself as, “fairly conservative theologically, at least to the extent that I feel quite confident in affirming the historic creeds of Christian orthodoxy,” yet feels he does not correspond neatly to one particular side politically.
Being a Christian embodies so many qualities: thoughtful, compassionate, involved citizens. McGraw suggests that there are other qualities that can enhance the experience as a Christian, politically. “I’d like to think, suggesting to Christians that to be good citizens in democratic orders means doing some tough political and theological thinking.”
McGraw, a very well-liked, thoughtful professor, advises his students, “to be wary of delving deeper into their spirituality.” The best advice McGraw gives is to, “put yourself into a Christian community where you can be challenged and indeed shaped in ways that can sometimes be painful, even radical.”
His teaching techniques and advice have been valued by his students. “It is the approachability and friendliness of Professor McGraw outside of class that makes me most grateful I took his course. He cares about his students and is very personable,” says Pepperdine student, Tyler Haupert.
McGraw’s widespread knowledge and experience is something to be credited for. “Professor McGraw is truly an extraordinary man. Besides receiving his PhD from Harvard and receiving two separate masters’ degrees, he also served our country as an Army Intelligence Officer. It is truly a blessing to have him as a Professor,” says student, Brendan Groves.
His dedication and warmth reach his students, his work, and most importantly his family. McGraw, father of two and expecting a third in May splits his time between California and Georgia. While his wife, a neurologist tries to secure a job in California, he flies back to his family on a weekly basis.
“What free time I have usually gets spent doing stuff with the kids- going to parks and different events,” says McGraw.
To some, religion and politics is something of confusion. Many do not know what they believe in, rather participate because it is conventional. Many do not reap the benefits of religion, rather steer away because they are apprehensive. McGraw tries to help and teach others to understand and embrace religion and its involvement in politics in a concerned and rational way.
11-02-2006