Racial Reconciliation and the National Covenant: A Conference

Institute on Religion and Democracy Media Advisory
January 2, 2019
Contact: Chelsen Vicari, office: 202-682-4131, cell: 540-239-2170, e-mail: cvicari@TheIRD.org

Who: Institute on Religion and Democracy, Beeson Divinity School of Samford University, Institute of Anglican Studies

What: Leading scholars and clergy will examine the United State’s racial problem with the conviction that it cannot be solved by politics alone, but by considering the religious roots of the nation and its sins.

Where: Samford University, Brock Forum in Dwight Beeson Hall, 800 Lakeshore Dr, Homewood, AL 35229

When: February 12-13, 2019, 8 a.m. (EST)

Washington, DC—The Institute on Religion & Democracy and Beeson Divinity School of Samford University’s Institute of Anglican Studies will host a unique two-day conference at Samford University on Racial Reconciliation and the National Covenant.

Conference speakers will address the spiritual, moral, and cultural dimensions of America’s racial tensions. Topics examined will include racial supremacy and covenantal reconciliation, covenant, race, and the nations, the Puritans and Jonathan Edwards, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the national covenant, the black family, the sanctity of unborn black lives, race and school choice, and black/white churches and the American covenant, among others.

This event is open to all, but is especially aimed at local clergy, intellectuals, college and seminary students, and recent graduates. Cost is $75, including lunch and refreshments. Special rates are available to clergy, students, and veterans.

Speakers include: Rev. Eugene Rivers (National Ten Point Leadership Foundation), Alveda King (Priests for Life) Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman (Bar-Ilan University), Rabbi Mitchell Rocklin (Tikvah Fund), Gerald R. McDermott (Beeson Divinity School) Joshua Mitchell (Georgetown University), Glenn Loury (Brown University), Jacqueline C. Rivers (Seymour Institute), Derryck Green (National Leadership Network of Black Conservatives), Mark Tooley, (Institute on Religion and Democracy), Dr. Carol Swain (James Madison Society at Princeton), Timothy George (Beeson Divinity School), Robert Smith, Jr. (Beeson Divinity School).

Members of the media and those on assignment for news publications, podcasts, and websites are invited to attend free of costs.

For interviews with conference speakers, please contact Chelsen Vicari at cvicari@theird.org.

Make sure to purchase tickets ASAP for this for this event at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/racial-reconciliation-and-the-national-covenant-a-conference-tickets-51527572356

A special hotel rate is available at Courtyard Homewood by Marriott for $120.00 per night. Guests can go online here to reserve a hotel room under the group block rate. Reservations must be made up to the scheduled cut-off date of Monday, January 14th to receive the group discount.

Mark Tooley, IRD president, commented:

“The IRD is honored to collaborate with Beeson on this very needed initiative for racial reconciliation that uniquely rediscovers a venerable tradition of understanding the nation under both divine judgment and mercy.”

“This message is unfashionable in much of American Christianity that now rejects or minimizes the providential role of nations. But Christians cannot help our nation heal unless they also understand the nation’s purpose under God.”

Gerald McDermott, director of Beeson’s Institute of Anglican Studies, commented:

“This country suffers from continuing racial tension. We are convinced that the tension cannot be resolved by politics alone because our racial divides have vital spiritual, moral and cultural dimensions.”

“This conference will take a fresh approach by exploring the implications of the biblical tradition of national covenant. We think it will open fresh possibilities for our fragmented society.”