Whitworth Offers 2024 Election Year Speaker Series to Educate and Inform
Miranda Zapor Cruz | Faith-Filled Political Engagement: Christian Convictions in the Public Square
Sept. 23, 7 p.m., Weyerhaeuser Hall's Robinson Teaching Theatre, Whitworth University
What is the right relationship between Christian faith and American politics? Should Christians keep our convictions separate from our policy positions? Or is it our job as Christians to use representative government to enact faith-based legislation? Miranda Zapor Cruz ’05, Ph.D., professor of historical theology at Indiana Wesleyan University, will answer these questions and explore faithful approaches to Christian political engagement, drawn from Christian history and theology. This nonpartisan talk will equip Christians to follow Jesus faithfully into the political sphere.
Matthew Kaemingk | Polarization and the (Im)Possibility of Christian Hospitality
Oct. 12, 10-11 a.m., Seeley G. Mudd Chapel, Whitworth University*
Political ethicist and public theologian Matthew Kaemingk will discuss his theory about how America’s deep differences are not a problem that needs to be solved.
David French | Politics, Christianity & Moral Formation: Finding a Path to Restoration
Oct. 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m., virtual/online
Author, opinion columnist and former U.S. Army and constitutional law attorney David French will join Whitworth President Scott McQuilkin online for a discussion titled “Politics, Christianity & Moral Formation: Finding a Path to Restoration.” Space is limited for this webinar. Click here to register and submit questions.
Anne Snyder | Social Architecture: Creating a Scaffold of Social Life for the Common Good
Oct. 22, 6:30 p.m., Bing Crosby Theater
Whitworth is proud to partner with The Spokesman-Review’s Northwest Passages Book Club & Community Forum as we present Anne Snyder, editor-in-chief of Comment magazine and author of The Fabric of Character: A Wise Giver's Guide to Renewing our Social and Moral Landscape. Tickets are available here.
Alexandra Hudson | The Soul of Civility: Toward Meaningful Engagement & Change
Oct. 30, 6:30 p.m., virtual/online
Our second online presentation will feature author Alexandra Hudson. Interim Dean of Whitworth’s College of Arts & Sciences Erica Salkin will interview Hudson about civil discourse. Hudson is the author of The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. She’ll give the audience insight into civil discourse and take a look at what it is and what it’s not. Register here.
Faculty Presentations
Throughout this series, Whitworth professors will be contributing to the sessions. Several will hold their own discussions including Patricia Bruininks, professor of psychology, together with Megan Hershey, professor of political science. The pair will discuss “Hope for Democracy” on Oct. 2 from 4-5 p.m. in Dixon Hall, Room 206.
Assistant Professor of Political Science Aaron Hitefield, an expert in American political institutions, elections, Congress and the presidency, will explore the 2024 presidential election on Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in Weyerhaeuser Hall’s Robinson Teaching Theatre.
For more information on all the discussions or to register for several of those events, visit https://www.whitworth.edu/election-year/
About Whitworth University:
Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private, Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university has an enrollment of about 2,500 students and offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Contacts:
Trisha Coder, associate director of media relations, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu
