Noted Scholar and Author Visited Union's Campus to Lecture on the Relationship Between the Christian and Government

The Rev. Tom Allen, First Baptist Church of Corbin, KY, the Rev. William E. Mixon, W.E.M. Christian Ministries, Barbourville, KY, the Rev. Paul Henschen, Corbin Presbyterian Church, Corbin, KY, the Rev. Phillip Wynn, New Life Church of God, Barbourville, KY, Dr. William J. Weston, moderator, the Rev. Dr. John Burkhart, St. John's Episcopal Church of Corbin, KY, the Rev. Paul Peterson, St. Gregory Catholic Church, Barbourville, KY, and the Rev. John Bowling, Covenant United Methodist Church of Middlesboro, KY discuss the Christian's relation to the state and government at Union College's 38th Annual Willson-Gross Lectures.

Union College hosted noted scholar and author Dr. William J. "Beau" Weston as guest lecturer at the 38th Annual Willson-Gross Lectures on campus last week.

On Monday, November 8, Dr. Weston moderated a Christian clergy panel to discuss the Christian's relation to the state and government. Clergymen from seven different local churches of different denomination were asked to sit on the panel for the discussion.

The Rev. Dr. John Burkhart of Corbin's St. John's Episcopal Church delivers a spirited oration on the Episcopalian's role in early Christianity

The Rev. Tom Allen, First Baptist Church of Corbin, Kentucky, the Rev. John Bowling, Covenant United Methodist Church of Middlesboro, KY, the Rev. Dr. John Burkhart, St. John's Episcopal Church of Corbin, KY, the Rev. William E. Mixon, W.E.M. Christian Ministries, Barbourville, KY, the Rev. Paul Peterson, St. Gregory Catholic Church, Barbourville, KY, the Rev. Paul Henschen, Corbin Presbyterian Church, Corbin, KY and the Rev. Phillip Wynn, New Life Church of God, Barbourville, KY offered the audience some historical insight about the role Christianity plays within their denomination. The panel also discussed the role Christianity plays in today's government.

Overwhelmingly, each member of the clergy agreed that governmental representatives were led by God and by yielding or submitting to this authority, one was yielding to the sovereignty of God.

Dr. William J. "Beau" Weston, visiting lecturer at Union College's 38th Annual Willson-Gross Lectures

The discussion of this topic carried over into the lecture delivered on Tuesday, November 9 by Dr. Weston entitled "The New Christendom and the Clash of Civilizations." Dr. Weston cited two books as the basis for his discussion; Samuel P. Huntington's The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order, and Phillip Jenkins' The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity.

During the discussion, Dr. Weston noted that inevitably, all things must end, including the West being the dominant power in government and in religious influence. "Whether this happens in 500 or 5000 years is anyone's guess, but inevitably, it will happen." He went on to discuss Christianity's relationship to government in an historical context, what is happening now between the two entities and what could potentially happen in the future citing both Huntington's and Jenkins' research.

The Rev. John Bowling, Covenant United Methodist Church in Middlesboro, KY was the last to address the crowd regarding the Christian's relation to the state and government. He spoke about the appropriate role clergy should take as Christian leaders throughout the election process.

Dr. Weston is the chairperson of the Anthropology and Sociology programs at Centre College. He holds a B.A. degree from Swarthmore College, an M.A.R. from Yale Divinity School, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Yale University. He has authored several books, most recently Leading from the Center: Strengthening the Pillars of the Church and Called to Teach: The Vocation of the Presbyterian Educator.

Dr. and Mrs. James Willson of Floydada, Texas established the Willson-Gross Lectures at Union College through an endowment to honor Dr. and Mrs. John Gross. Dr. John Gross served as president of Union College for nine years.

November 19, 2004

[Top]