Theology Applied THE FRIDAY SPECIAL - Drowning Baptists And The “Evolution” Of Christian Nationalism
Aug 30, 2025
Dr. Stephen Wolfe, a historical and theological expert, joins Pastor Joel Webbon to discuss the often overlooked persecution of Baptists in early America. They highlight key figures like Roger Williams and Cotton Mather, tracing the evolution of Christian nationalism and its roots in religious liberty. The conversation dives into church-state relations, critiques Enlightenment thinking, and challenges the idea of religious egalitarianism. With wit and insight, they advocate for a clearer vision of America as a distinctly Christian nation.
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Puritans Saw Religion As A Political Project
- Early New England Puritans combined religious and political aims, preserving a project of congregational order in the colony.
- They punished dissent when it threatened civil and spiritual discipline, not merely for doctrinal error.
Roger Williams As Political Dissenter
- Roger Williams was banished largely for refusing an oath and declaring the colony's charter immoral.
- Wolfe argues Williams was more sectarian and politically subversive than the common liberty hero narrative suggests.
Quaker Confrontations In Church
- Quakers provoked strong Puritan reactions due to disruptive public behavior and civil disobedience.
- Wolfe recounts episodes of Quakers yelling in churches and being repeatedly banished, sometimes executed after repeated returns.
