Scott Waller | People, Biola University

Department	Department of Political Science
Biola Affiliations	Faculty

Documents

Degrees

Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University
M.A., Claremont Graduate University
M.A., Biola University
B.S., Southwest Missouri State University

Biography

Scott Waller holds graduate degrees in both philosophy and political science. He has an M.A. from Talbot School of Theology in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics and an M.A. in Politics and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Claremont Graduate University in the fields of American Politics and Political Theory. His research interests involve the intersection of religion and politics, jurisprudence surrounding the First Amendment religion clauses and the evolving role of the judiciary within the American political order. He is a frequent guest on local radio discussing American politics and a frequent speaker to the general Christian community on issues of importance for believers to consider.

Publications

“Evangelical Strength and the Representation of Women and Gays.” (With Jennifer Merolla and Jean Schroedel). In Steven Brint and Jean Reith Schroedel, eds. Evangelicals and Democracy in America: Religion and Society. (New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 2009)
“Legal Status of the Fetus.” (With Jean Schroedel). The Chicago Companion to the Child. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2009)

Presentations

Regular guest on “Intersection of Faith and Reason” show hosted by Frank Pastore and broadcast throughout southern California on KKLA. Topics discussed were the role of evangelicals in the American political culture, the current electoral cycle, and church-state relations.
“Evangelical Strength and the Representation of Women and Gays.” (With Jennifer Merolla and Jean Schroedel). Paper presented at The Christian Conservative Movement and Democracy in America Conference, New York at the Russell Sage Foundation, April 27-29, 2007.
“Christianity in a Post-Modern World.” Presented at the Stand to Reason lecture series, Hermosa Beach, CA, 2003.
Guest on the Stand to Reason radio show hosted by Greg Koukul and broadcast throughout Southern California and nationally on the American Family Network. The topic was the upcoming Master’s Series lecture on Christianity and the life of the mind, 2003.

Research Interests

Church-State Relations
First Amendment Jurisprudence
Evangelical Political Engagement
Religious Involvement/Voice in the Public Square
Nature of Judicial Power
The Founding Era
Evolution of Executive Power

Areas of Expertise for Media Interviews

Abortion
Christian Thought
Economic Issues
Ethics
Evangelism
First Amendment's Religion Clauses
Moral Relativism
Para-church (faith- Based Organizations)
Political Issues
Politics & Government
Relationship Between Religion And Politics
Relationship Between The Church And State
Religion & American Culture
Social Policy