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Professor @ Baltimore City College
Well regarded in religious circles for his work in academia, Nicholas Graff promotes a holistic approach to healing. A lecturer and author, Nicholas Graff comments on a diverse range of topics regarding medicine, psychology, and religion. His recent lectures include “Healing and Church in a Post Modern World,” presented at the Standing Conference of Canonical Bishops in Chicago, Illinois, and “A Dialogue Between Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis,” presented at Saint John The Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Over the course of his career, Nicholas Graff most notably contributed to conferences held at the University of Oxford, Harvard Medical School, and Holy Cross School of Theology. Nicholas Graff holds a Bachelor of Art degree in Religion and Philosophy from Hellenic College, a Master of Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and a Doctor of Ministry from Catholic University of America. Completing his doctoral studies, Nicholas Graff concentrated on clinical psychotherapy, pastoral psychotherapy, and institutional administration. Nicholas Graff also completed postdoctoral studies as Christ Church, University of Oxford University. Supplementing his academic qualifications, Nicholas Graff speaks Greek fluently and maintains working knowledge of French. In addition, Nicholas Graff is certified in pastoral psychotherapy, clinical pastoral education, and psychodrama from Spring Grove Hospital. Active in several academic disciplines, Nicholas Graff previously served as President for the Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion, and was a founding board member of Harvard Medical School’s Institute of Medicine, Psychology and Religion. From 1997 to 2007, Nicholas Graff served as Executive Director of the Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine in St. Augustine, Florida, while also operating as Dean of Saint John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Currently, Nicholas Graff functions as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Baltimore City Community College in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Author Mary Renault, Nicholas Graff
January, 2011
An avid reader, Nicholas Graff enjoys the work of Mary Renault. A distinguished British author, Mary Renault’s remarkable oeuvre includes historical novels, contemporary fiction, and non-fiction texts. While the majority of Renault’s mature writing concentrates on historical fiction, these works were nonetheless preceded by a string of successful contemporary fiction novels. This earlier period produced books such as Promises of Love and Return to Night, the latter securing a prestigious MGM award. Additionally, Mary Renault penned various non-fiction pieces and saw her texts adapted for the BBC during her lifetime. However, Renault’s most notable work remains her collection of historical novels centered in ancient Greece. Published between 1956 and 1981, these fictional works thoroughly explore the human aspects of classical Greek stories, individuals, and iconic events such as the Peloponnesian War and the life of Alexander the Great.
Mary Renault was born Eileen Mary Challans in 1905. Receiving an excellent early education, Renault went on to study English at St Hugh’s College of Oxford University. At the time, St Hugh’s College was an all-women’s institution. Renault began at Oxford by engaging in studies toward a proposed career in teaching. However, during this time she realized she wanted to be a writer and not an instructor.
Renault proceeded to undergo three years of nursing training, working toward expanding her knowledge of humanity. While training as a nurse, she also met lifelong love Julie Mullard. Renault published her first novel shortly thereafter, and penned her following three books while serving in the Second World War. She continued to travel and write following the end of the war. Though she visited a number of international locations, Renault’s time in Greece proved to have the most permanent impact on her work. Mary Renault’s powerful historical novels based in ancient Greece include The King Must Die and The Mask of Apollo, as well as the non-fiction biography The Nature of Alexander. Following a prolific and adventurous life, Mary Renault passed away in the winter of 1983, in Cape Town, South Africa.
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Philosopher John Locke
March, 2011
by Dr. Nicholas Graff
Many higher education institutions require students to take a course in philosophy or religion as a prerequisite for further study. Nicholas Graff, an instructor at Baltimore City Community College, teaches beginning philosophy and ethics courses. In these classes, students learn about philosophers, such as John Locke.
Born in 1632, British philosopher John Locke espoused the concept that people should not follow an idea unless they see evidence of its value. He opposed authoritarian rule by governments or religious institutions and believed that carefully evaluating such organizations and their methods, including when their leaders chose to use force, would result an optimal environment for positive human evolution.
During his lifetime, the British monarchy and the parliament clashed repeatedly, as did several religious groups, including Anglicans, Catholics, and Protestants. For a period of about 10 years, Oliver Cromwell ruled, having pushed the royal family out of power. After Cromwell’s death, the monarchy returned with more upheaval 30 years later when King James II lost control to William and Mary. This historical and political activity greatly affected John Locke’s work.
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding stands as Locke’s best-known work. The essay discusses Locke’s thoughts on the limits of human knowledge. In addition, the piece delves into human knowledge in relation to God, self, history, and the natural world, among other topics. His further writings include Letters Concerning Toleration, The Reasonableness of Christianity, Some Thoughts Concerning Education, and Two Treatises of Government.
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