“Thornton, a pastor with the Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship in Bristol, Tenn., was one of the religious speakers who presented in front of the library this week. Thornton’s presentation began around noon Wednesday. “I will preach, Lord willing, of both law and grace, heaven and hell,” Thorton said before his presentation. “I will preach that Jesus will give you his righteousness. I will talk about how you are changed when you become a true Christian.”

[Editor’s note: Jim Thornton is a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and lives in Bristol, Tenn.]

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for his loving kindness is everlasting!” shouted the Rev. Jim Thornton over the hubbub of Borchuck Plaza.

Thornton, a pastor with the Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship in Bristol, Tenn., was one of the religious speakers who presented in front of the library this week. Thornton’s presentation began around noon Wednesday.

“I will preach, Lord willing, of both law and grace, heaven and hell,” Thorton said before his presentation. “I will preach that Jesus will give you his righteousness. I will talk about how you are changed when you become a true Christian.”

Thornton’s presentation came on the heels of a hostile one.

Tuesday’s speaker was outspoken, calling out some students for sexual promiscuity and condemning others to hell.

Insults, shouting and cursing were hurled freely throughout Tuesday’s presentation, in marked contrast to the calmer environment on Wednesday.

“I videoed everything [yesterday],” student Luke Knott said. “I thought somebody was gonna take a swing.”

“I think this guy’s got a better approach to it,” Knott added. “He doesn’t have people cussing at him, so that’s good.”

Students and faculty clustered around the library fountain and steps as Thornton continued, curious to see if Thornton’s talk would be like the previous one.

“I’m not a very religious person but I can tell that it’s different today,” freshman Symone Hohensee said about Thornton’s presentation. “He’s talking about love, everlasting love; the guy yesterday was being very aggressive, straight up calling people sinners and whores.”