In this discussion, guests Jane Calvert, a biography author on John Dickinson, Vincent Phillip Muñoz, a Notre Dame religion professor, and Thomas Kidd, a Baptist studies chair, delve into the nuanced role of religion among America's Founding Fathers. They examine varying personal faiths, from deism to traditional Christianity, and how these shaped ideals like religious liberty and governance. They also explore John Dickinson's Quaker influences and the philosophical foundations of natural rights, emphasizing the delicate balance between church and state that informed the Constitution.

Thomas Kidd, a Research Professor of Church History and prominent author, discusses the Great Awakening, a major religious revival in the 1730s and 40s. He delves into its unexpected influence on the establishment of Ivy League schools like Princeton and Dartmouth, linking these institutions to evangelical movements. Kidd emphasizes the crucial role of theological education during this period and reflects on how these historical connections challenge the modern view of Christianity's relationship with higher learning.