For release
Further information: Contact Joseph Giomboni or Patricia Pyles
Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5958

King’s professor Dr. Jonathan Malesic publishes book on Christian identity

October 19, 2009 –King’s College Assistant Professor of Theology Dr. Jonathan Malesic has recently published a book, titled “Secret Faith in the Public Square: An Argument for the Concealment of Christian Identity,” by Brazos Press.
 
In the book, Malesic examines the tradition and practice of keeping faith separate from public life. Going against the general theological trend of advocating an ever more visible presence for Christianity in American public life, he argues that the best way for Christians to be caretakers of their tradition and to love their neighbors selflessly is to conceal their religious identity in the public square.
 
Delving deep into the Christian tradition, Malesic explains that keeping Christian identity secret means living fully in the world while maintaining Christian language, prayer, and liturgy in reserve. He claims insisting on Christianity's public visibility in politics, the marketplace, and the workplace risks severely compromising the distinctiveness of Christian identity.

A professor at King’s since 2005, Malesic currently teaches courses on the theology of Jesus, and how individual lives are shaped by western religions.
He has written several essays for the “Chronicle of Higher Education,” as well as articles on Christian thought and modern secular philosophy for the academic journals “International Journal for Philosophy of Religion” and “Journal of the American Academy of Religion.”

Dr. Jonathan Malesic

King's College is a Catholic College sponsored by the Congregation of Holy Cross.