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Founding partner of The Simple Way ministry to present Oct. 17 Whitworth lecture on Christianity and American citizenship

October 8, 2012


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Shane Claiborne, whose ministry experience ranges from working alongside Mother Teresa in Calcutta to serving a mega-congregation in Chicago, will give a lecture, “Christianity and American Citizenship: Jesus for President,” on Oct. 17 at Whitworth University. His lecture will take place at Whitworth’s Robinson Teaching Theatre in Weyerhaeuser Hall at 7 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please call (509) 777-4937.

Casey Andrews, an associate professor of English at Whitworth, says Claiborne is one of the leading national voices among young Evangelicals today, whose total commitment to radical Christianity is humbling and inspiring.

“With wit, humor, and the enthusiasm of a Baptist preacher, Shane insists that the Christian life must be a loving, prophetic critique of the church’s entanglement with America,” says Andrews. “In this election season, when Christians are wooed by politicians, Shane urges believers to pledge their allegiance first and foremost to Jesus Christ and to resist the allures of power, money, and military might. I believe that Shane will offer a fresh and challenging vision for followers of Christ by calling for a Kingdom politics that resists the politics of our world.”

Claiborne is a founding partner of The Simple Way, a group that creates and connects radical faith communities around the world, and he was also featured in the DVD series, “Another World is Possible.” He is the author of several books, including Jesus for President (Zondervan 2008), Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers (InterVarsity 2008) and The Irresistible Revolution (Zondervan 2006).

Claiborne writes and travels extensively, giving academic seminars and lectures about peacemaking, social justice and Jesus in nearly every state and around the globe. He also speaks at various denominational gatherings, festivals, and conferences. His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and on CNN, Fox News and National Public Radio.

Claiborne's lecture is part of the Whitworth Speakers & Artists Series, which presents a broad range of voices, perspectives and ideas that enrich the intellectual and spiritual life of the campus and the larger community. Since 1890, Whitworth has held fast to its founding mission to provide its students with an education of mind and heart. Whitworth faculty and staff are confident that Christian worldviews and Christian thinkers are sharpened by rigorous and open intellectual inquiry and by engagement with the broadest spectrum of ideas. This confidence motivates Whitworth to invite to campus speakers and artists who can help our community engage in critical and careful thinking, as well as in civil discourse and effective action to honor God, follow Christ and serve humanity.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts: 

Kathy Fechter, academic program assistant for political science, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4937 or kfechter@whitworth.edu.

Andrea Idso, interim public information officer, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or aidso@whitworth.edu.