Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian Nation

America's Premier Historian: Origin Story

Jan 17, 2024

Prominent historian and author David Barton discusses the controversy surrounding his book on Thomas Jefferson, exploring historical revisionism and Christian nationalism. Expert historians provide insights on pitfalls of Christian nationalism and the importance of accurate historical representation. The episode features commentary from Julie Ingersoll, John Fea, Rob Boston, and Gregg Frazer.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Historical Testimony for Ten Commandments in Texas Schools

02:01 • 3min

Analyzing David Barton's Historical Credibility

04:39 • 17min

Impacts of Removing Religious Principles from Schools and Misrepresentation of Crime Data

21:48 • 5min

Uncovering Historical Inaccuracies

27:04 • 19min

Exploring America's Premier Historian's Selective Retelling

45:48 • 5min

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In April 2012, Thomas Nelson published The Jefferson Lies, a book about Thomas Jefferson written by David Barton. By August of the same year, the publisher had removed the book from publication. What happened?

This series tells that story and so much more.

Just over a decade later, the Speaker of the House of Representatives declared his thanks to the same David Barton for his work in history.

This series explores how historical revisionism persists even when it can be demonstrated that the facts are not there.

First, I provide some context for the current characters. In this initial installment, I go back and pick up the origin story of David Barton and his entrance into Christian nation storytelling. Although he has no academic preparation as a historian, that fact hasn't dissuaded evangelicals from flocking to hear him. As is sometimes the case, evangelicals use religious similarity as a misleading signal of expertise. This sets up the story of how The Jefferson Lies was pulled from publication and the role of Getting Jefferson Right in that event.

More broadly, the expert historians and scholars I have interviewed will help us understand the pitfalls of Christian nationalism and the revisionist history which sustains it. Ultimately in the series, I want to explore the remarkable American story of religious pluralism and freedom of conscience.

In this episode, Julie Ingersoll, John Fea, Rob Boston, and Gregg Frazer provide insightful commentary.

Show Notes:

Danbury Baptists and the wall of separation (links)

The letter from the Danbury Baptist Association to Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Baptists

Trends in violent crime (links)

American Homicide by Randolph Roth

Long-term Historical Trends in Violent Crime by Manuel Eisner

A crime puzzle: Violent crime declines in America by Claude Fischer

The Bible in Schools and Violent Crime by Warren Throckmorton

Theme song: The World Awaits Us All - Roman Candle

Closing song: The Fight From Me - Greg Thornbury

Background music: Jonathan Swaim, Roman Candle, Warren Throckmorton

I want to thank Mike Cosper for wisdom and advice. I want to thank Greg Thornbury, Roman Candle, and Jonathan Swaim for sharing their advice and talents.