John Witherspoon: podcast appearances and interviews

John Witherspoon (February 5, 1723 – November 15, 1794) was a Scottish-American Presbyterian minister and educator who served as the president of the College of New Jersey, now known as Princeton University, from 1768 until 1794. He was a Founding Father of the United States and played a significant role in shaping the country's national character. Witherspoon was actively involved in politics as a delegate from New Jersey to the Second Continental Congress. He was a signatory to the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and was notable for being the only active clergyman and college president to sign the document. Besides his contribution to independence, he also signed the Articles of Confederation and supported the ratification of the United States Constitution. In religious circles, Witherspoon was a prominent figure within American Presbyterianism. In 1789, he served as the convening moderator of the First General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. His theological and civic ideas were aligned with those of John Calvin, John Knox, and Samuel Rutherford, emphasizing that resistance to tyranny is akin to obedience to God. Witherspoon’s influence extended beyond education and politics into the theological development of American Presbyterianism, making him a key figure in both religious and national history.