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Novaks speak at AMU for Constitution Day
September 13, 2006
Michael Novak, world-renowned author and member of the Ave Maria University board of trustees, will be at the university's interim campus Sept. 18 to deliver a lecture on his recent book "Washington's God: Religion, Liberty and the Father of Our Country."
Novak will give the presentation with his daughter and co-author, Jana Novak, as part of the university's observance of Constitution Day. In addition to their lecture, the Novaks will be on-hand for a book signing and will attend a luncheon with students in the university's Constitutional Law course.
The Novaks' presentation will reflect the primary argument made in their book; specifically, that convincing historical and biographical evidence exists indicating that our nation's first president was more than superficially Christian in his worldview. Generations of biographers have labeled Washington a deist, dismissing his public references to Christ and the Christian faith as rhetorical concessions to the cultural climate of his day rather than expressions of firmly held Christian belief. The Novaks make the case that while Washington may have had leanings toward deism, he was ultimately grounded in faith in the Christian God.
Michael Novak holds the George Frederick Jewett Chair in Religion and Public Policy at the American Enterprise Institute, where he is director of social and political studies. The author of dozens of books in the areas of philosophy, religion and culture, Novak received the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 1994, as well as many other distinguished honors and awards. His daughter Jana is an author and poet who served as a speechwriter for former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and who also co-wrote "Tell Me Why: A Father Answers His Daughter's Questions About God" with her father.
The Novaks' presentation will be at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 18 in Stella Maris. This event is open to the public.