Author, speaker specializing in American religion and culture to present lecture at IWU

Dr. Diane Butler Bass has been chosen as Iowa Wesleyan?s 2016 annual Manning Speaker. She will present a lecture titled, ?Finding God in the World: A Spiritual Revolution? on Sunday, Feb. 28, at 3:30 p.m., in the Chapel Auditorium, on the Iowa Wesleyan campus in Mt. Pleasant. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Dr. Bass is the author of nine books, which range from a study of 19th century evangelicalism to a contemporary ethnography of mainline Protestantism. Her latest book, ?Grounded: Finding God in the World ? A Spiritual Revolution?, will provide the basis for her lecture.

Shane Claiborne, IWU?s 2015 Manning Speaker writes, ?In Grounded, Diana Butler Bass brings theology back down to earth. She writes about the environment and about the church in a way that makes sense, feels authentic, and doesn?t put you to sleep. A stunning book that will open up new conversations in the church and beyond.?

Dr. Bass regularly speaks at conferences, consults with religious organizations, leads educational events for religious leaders, and teaches and preaches in a variety of venues. She writes and comments on religion, politics and culture in the media for various national media organizations. Additionally, she has taught at numerous colleges and seminaries in subjects ranging from church history, American religious history, history of Christian thought, to religion and politics, religion and race and congregational studies.

Dr. Bass holds a Ph.D. in religious studies from Duke University.

The free lecture is made possible by funding from the Clifford and Maxine Manning Annual Speaker Series.

For more information, contact Joy Lapp at 319-385-6403 or joy.lapp@iw.edu.