Heritage Snapshot: Part 164

A. Graham Maxwell, PhD, was Director of the new Loma Linda University Division of Religion (now known as the School of Religion;) from 1961 to 1976. In 1961, the year the College of Medical Evangelists became Loma Linda University, University President Godfrey T. Anderson, PhD, surveyed the field and chose the best-qualified person to lead the Division of Religion. Dr. A. Graham Maxwell, with a PhD degree in New Testament studies from the University of Chicago, arrived from Pacific Union College, in Angwin, California, initiated an innovation—exchange-teaching between the Loma Linda and Los Angeles campuses of the University. It became a new era in the minds of some, the Golden Age, a time of great optimism and progressive thinking in the Division of Religion. Although Dr. Maxwell was a serious biblical scholar, he could not conceal the twinkle in his eyes. When he answered questions, this twinkle grew into a smile, which engendered an atmosphere of sincerity and teacher-student rapport. His knowledge, warmth, and sincerity made him a good teacher. He could be direct in his questioning without being intimidating. He used the Socratic method of teaching; asking question upon question until there was either a logical defense or an agonizing retreat. In his Biblical studies he derived much help from the writings of Loma Linda co-founder Ellen G. White, especially the volumes of the Conflict of the Ages series, finding in their interpretation of the Scriptures “the most coherent, defensible philosophy of religion and life, a system of thought that the author herself regarded as ‘Biblical philosophy.’" His had been the role of reinterpreting the essence of Adventism to new generations with a language that old generations could understand. He had the uncommon ability to make his message acceptable and stimulating simultaneously to the young graduate student and to the traditionalist. Maxwell eventually also contributed to the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary. Maxwell impacted Loma Linda University for almost three decades. His classes were always full. On weekends, hundreds of University students as well as established professionals attended his adult Sabbath School Classes. Gerald A. Kirk, MD, (Class of 1967) recorded his presentations and mailed them to thousands of eager listeners around the world. He was in constant demand as an on-campus and off-campus speaker. Many eagerly read everything he wrote.