Chicago Theological Seminary to Host Acclaimed Writers Reza Aslan, Katherine Stewart for Annual Interreligious Lecture

The Annual LaCocque Interreligious Lecture Will Take Place on February 27, 2025

CHICAGO (January 14, 2025) – Famed for its history of interreligious outreach and dedication to interfaith understanding, Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS) will host acclaimed writers Reza Aslan and Katherine Stewart for the 2025 André LaCocque Interreligious Lecture and Schaalman Award. The lecture will take place on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 6:00pm. The event is titled, “Religion and Politics: Talking Together About Issues that Drive Us Apart,” and registration is now open at https://bit.ly/lacocque25/.

“We are extremely honored to be hosting Reza and Katherine for the LaCocque Lecture,” said Dr. Brad Braxton, President and Professor of Public Theology at CTS. “Their deep knowledge of and dedication to interfaith outreach is matched only by their tenacious and steadfast belief in putting this sort of theology in the public square.”

Katherine Stewart’s new book, Money, Lies and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy (Bloomsbury, February 2025) has been praised by Congressman Jamie Raskin as “An indispensable citizen’s guide to the anti-democratic MAGA Right in America.” Her previous book, The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism, was voted first place for Excellence in Nonfiction Books by the Religion News Association and forms the basis of the documentary feature film God and Country, produced by Rob Reiner. She writes for The New York Times, New Republic, Religion News Service and others.

Reza Aslan is a renowned writer, commentator, professor, Emmy- and Peabody-nominated producer, and scholar of religions. A recipient of the prestigious James Joyce award, Aslan is the author of three internationally best-selling books, including the #1 New York Times Bestseller, Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth. His biography An American Martyr in Persia: The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville was nominated for the PEN/Jacqueline Beograd Weld Award. His producing credits include the acclaimed HBO series The Leftovers and the hit CBS comedy United States of AL. He is the host and Executive Producer of CNN’s Believer and Rough Draft with Reza Aslan, as well as co-host along with Rainn Wilson of the podcast Metaphysical Milkshake. His newest book is titled A Kids Book About Israel & Palestine.

Formerly the InterReligious Institute Spring Lecture, the lecture was renamed after theologian and former CTS professor André LaCocque. Dr. LaCocque’s dedication to interfaith cooperation led to the formation of the Center for Jewish and Christian Studies, which eventually became the more inclusive InterReligious Institute.

Interviews are available with the speakers.

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At Chicago Theological Seminary, our mission is to educate and inspire the next generation of religious leadership. As a historically Protestant and now multifaith seminary, our vision is to build the beloved community together with commitments to racial and social justice, to gender equality and LGBTQ rights, and to deep interreligious engagement. www.ctschicago.edu