News

As a part of the Chapel dedicatory series, Lee University has announced an evening with best-selling author Eric Metaxas on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m.

A graduate of Yale University, Metaxas is perhaps best known for his New York Times best-selling biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Lutheran pastor martyred by Nazis for his opposition to Adolf Hitler. Metaxas has also written a biography of William Wilberforce, numerous children’s books, and scripts for the popular animated series Veggie Tales. He is a regular commentator on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News, also appearing on NPR, The History Channel and C-Span’s Book TV.

“Eric is currently one of the most sought-after authors and speakers in America,” said Lee’s Vice President for University Relations Jerome Hammond. “We are thrilled to bring him to campus for what promises to be a brilliant evening.”

Metaxas was the keynote speaker at the 2012 National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C., an event attended by the President and First Lady, the Vice President, members of Congress, and other U.S. and world leaders. He is also founder and host of the popular speaking series, “Socrates in the City,” a Manhattan forum described as “entertaining and thought-provoking discussions on life, God, and other small topics.”

On Thursday, November 15 Lee students will have an opportunity to hear Metaxas in the Conn Center chapel service starting at 10:40 a.m. In that forum Eric is expected to tell about his unusual conversion experience. After growing up in a socially religious context, Metaxas had a series of meaningful encounters culminating in a life-changing dream. In a 2009 interview he summarized his transrational change, saying, “There are certain things that are true but it doesn’t mean you can prove them; just because someone can’t explain something, doesn’t mean that it’s not explainable or true.”

“This is going to be an extraordinary evening,” Hammond said. “For anyone who enjoys a good story about history, religion, politics, or timeless heroes, this will be a night to remember.”

Eric’s writings have appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Books & Culture, Christianity Today, Marks Hill Review, and First Things.

For ticket information contact the Office of Community Relations at 614-8598 or [email protected]. For more information about Eric Metaxas, visit http://www.ericmetaxas.com.

Metaxas’ biographies of Wilberforce and Bonhoeffer are available now.

PHOTO (courtesy of James Allen Walker)