Reza Azlan is an internationally acclaimed religious scholar and writer who will speak at Knox College’s Harbach Theatre this Friday.
He will be speaking at 7:30 p.m. in an event that’s free and open to the public.
Aslan is the author of the 2013 book, “Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth” which hit #1 on the New York Times’ bestseller chart. The book is a historical account of the life Jesus of Nazareth that argues the man was a political rebel who was calling for an end to Roman occupation of Judea.
Knox’s Director of Communications Megan Scott tells WGIL that many of the issues Aslan is engaged with are conversations that are happening right now on the Knox campus.
“We come from different backgrounds and different religions and it’s how we work in live with each other in a positive manner,”Scott says.
She adds that Aslan’s speaking engagement comes under the heading of the Honnold Lecture, an endowned Knox lecture given every few years.
The invitee is usually a scholar or artist that is engaged with issues that Knox students are grappling with, a description that fits Aslan and his work.
“He can bring a lot of great discussion to campus and I think our students, and then of course the wider Galesburg community can learn a lot from talking with him and hearing what he has to say on Friday night.” Scott adds.
Azlan also authored a 2005 book titled, “No god but God” that details the history of Islam.
