Faith and the Political Life: Oct 26 - Nov 14, 2012
"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established."
Schedule
All sessions are free and open to the public and held in Rudd Auditorium.
Friday, October 26, 10 a.m.
Jonathan Merritt, Author, A Faith of Our Own: Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wares
Monday, November 5, 10 a.m.
Col. Ron Petitte, Professor, Bryan College
Wednesday, November 7, 10 a.m.
Col. Ron Petitte, Professor, Bryan College
Monday, November 12, 10 a.m.
Todd Deatherage and Uri Zaki, The Telos Group
Wednesday, November 14
Todd Deatherage, The Telos Group, and Daoud Nasser, Tent of Nations
Guest Speaker Information
Jonathan Merritt
Jonathan is a faith and culture writer who has published over 300 articles and regularly contributes commentary to television, print, and radio news outlets. He is author of A Faith of Our Own: Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wars among other books. Jonathan first entered the public eye after founding the Southern Baptist Environment and Climate Initiative, a national coalition of Christian leaders who care about the creation. He has since been on the front lines of pressing cultural conversations from poverty to orphan care. Known for his ability to tackle difficult issues through both the written and spoken word, Jonathan has become a sought after speaker by colleges, seminaries, churches and conferences on cultural and religious issues. He holds a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest, NC) and a Master of Theology from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology (Atlanta, GA). Jonathan resides outside of Atlanta, GA where he serves and teaches at Cross Pointe Church.Colonel Ron Petitte
Dr. Petitte has taught at Bryan for 18 years, and also serves as Director of the Center for International Initiatives and Vice-Chair of the Faculty at Bryan College. Prior to his academic career, he served in the United States Army for more than 30 years, retiring as a full colonel. Dr. Petitte holds degrees from Golden Gate University (D.P.A. Public Administration), Central Michigan University (M.A. Management/Administration) and Virginia Military Institute (B.A. English). His leadership has been recognized in the classroom as well in local and global communities. He has received the Outstanding Teacher Award "for creativity and innovation in the classroom" (2007); the George Washington Honor Medal by Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, PA; and was honored as a presenter and discussion leader at The Oxford Round Table (2008). Dr. Petitte also earned a Certificate in International Law and International Relations from The Hague Academy Centre for Studies and Research as well as a Diploma in International Relations from the University of Vienna. He is currently involved in efforts with Scotland Yard and International Justice Mission in the battle to stop human trafficking. Dr. Petitte and his wife have four adult daughters and live in Dayton, TN.Todd Deatherage
Todd Deatherage is Executive Director & Co-founder of The Telos Group, a nonprofit dedicated to educating American Christians about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a way that helps them be a common friend to both. Todd spent 16 years in senior positions in the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government. From 2005 to 2009, Todd was Chief of Staff in the Secretary of State’s Office of Policy Planning at the U.S. State Department, where he covered Israeli-Palestinian issues. He also spent two years as Senior Advisor in the Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom, where he specialized in religious freedom in the Middle East. Todd spent a decade working in the U.S. Congress, including six years as Chief of Staff to Senator Tim Hutchinson. He is a native Arkansan and a graduate of the University of Arkansas who began his career as an educator. He and his wife Judith have four children, Abigail, Zachary, William, and Anna, and live in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Daoud Nasser
Daoud Nassar is a Palestinian farmer living and working in the fertile hill country south of Bethlehem. The Nassar's farm, in the family for four generations, is ringed by Jewish settlements and the encroaching Separation Wall. The family has been offered millions for the land, but they remain steadfast. "This land is our mother," says Daoud. "Our mother is not for sale." Under his leadership, the family has taken the case to establish the family's land rights to the Israeli Supreme Court. To demonstrate their commitment to peace and coexistence, the Nassar family has established The Tent of Nations, providing arts, drama, and education to the children of the villages and refugee camps of the region. In addition, Daoud and his family have also established a Women's Educational Center offering classes in computer literacy, English, and leadership training.
