Princeton Seminary Offers Seminar on American Christianity and Public Life in Conjunction with National Constitution Day

Princeton, NJ, September 5, 2007–In conjunction with U.S. Constitution Day, Princeton Theological Seminary’s Center of Continuing Education will offer a seminar on Friday, September 21 titled “God in Public,” led by Dr. Mark Toulouse, professor of American religious history at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. The seminar will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Erdman Center, 20 Library Place in Princeton.

In December 2004, the United States Senate and the House of Representatives passed an amendment proposed by Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, requiring all educational institutions that receive federal funds to make available educational programs that relate to the U.S. Constitution on September 17 of each year. September 17 was chosen to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. This year marks the 220th anniversary of the signing.

Toulouse is the author of God in Public: Four Ways American Christianity and Public Life Relate. He has studied religious periodical literature since the mid-1950s and integrated these studies with his analysis of landmark events in American history. From this, he presents a method for understanding how Americans have related their Christian faith to public life. Toulouse holds a Ph.D. from The University of Chicago and is an ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

The registration fee for the seminar is $30. For more information or to register, go to http://ptsem.edu/ce/Course20070921.php or call 609.497.7990.

For additional information and resources related to Constitution Day, visit the web sites of the U.S. National Archives at http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution/constitution-day.html and the National Constitution Center at http://www.constitutioncenter.org/.

Princeton Theological Seminary was founded in 1812, the first seminary established by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. It is the largest Presbyterian seminary in the country, with more than 700 students in seven graduate degree programs.