Review: The Christian Past That Wasn't: Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History

Review: The Christian Past That Wasn't: Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History

As the United States approaches her 250th anniversary, the origins of the American Republic have become a matter of contention. Among many Christians, the idea that the United States was founded as a Christian nation is a foregone conclusion. Curriculums, textbooks, and ministries center on the promotion of America as a Christian nation. With the recent rise of Christian nationalism, Christian America is a foundational principle, impacting not only education but government policy. Out of the current discussions regarding the American founding, Warren Throckmorton offers his recent volume, The Christian Past That Wasn't: Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History. Throckmorton’s book is bound to cause discussion and debate as the religious founding of the USA remains a fact of almost confessional orthodoxy for many evangelical Christians, while many on the left maintain an almost sanitized secular founding for the United States. The Christian Past That Wasn't is a popular and readable history that skillfully lays out the historical facts, that will make many uncomfortable, but history is often uncomfortable. The real history is not that of a sanctified Christian nation, but neither is it the story of a nonreligious secular state. Anyone who desires a greater understanding of early America must wrestle with the facts presented by Throckmorton. Throckmorton examines seven myths that many American point to as the reason America was established as a Christian nation. But, one must acknowledge that the author is not saying that the Founding Fathers were not influenced by Christianity. Most of the founders were Christians and they believed that religion and in particular Christianity, “was a critical support to republican government. They believed religion in society was important because it fostered virtue and self-government.” (11). But, while acknowledging the importance of Christian belief, Throckmorton maintains that it was not the plan of the Founders to establish a Christian republic. The attempt to wedge a Christian foundation into the origin of the American republic has led many Christians to romanticize and sentimentalize American history, while downplaying some of the darker periods such as race-based chattel slavery and the subjugation of Native Americans, as well as declaring the separation of church and state illegitimate. Throckmorton ably examines the facts underlying the American foundation and demonstrates that the history is far more complicated that many mythmakers present. The author takes aim primarily at David Barton and his organization Wallbuilders, whose goal is to help “people discover the true story of America and our Biblical foundation.” (wallbuilders.com) Throckmorton along with former Grove City professor, Michael Coulter offered a historical rebuttal to Barton’s claims about Thomas Jefferson in their book, Getting Jefferson Right: Fact Checking Claims About Our Third President. Throckmorton and Coulter’s work forced publisher Thomas Nelson to remove Barton’s book, The Jefferson Lies removed because of the multiple historical errors contained in Barton’s book. Barton continues to peddle historical errors and myths by cherry picking quotes and manufacturing a false narrative about the American founding. The influence of Barton continues to spread as he speaks at churches and has the ear of politicians like Speaker Mike Johnson, who repeat his lies as facts. Throckmorton lays out the 7 myths in succeeding chapters: Myth 1: America is a Covenant Homeland for European Protestants Myth 2: America is a Christian nation because the colonies had state churches. Myth 3: America is a Christian nation because the Founders we orthodox Christians. Myth 4: The Founders created a Christian government. Myth 5: The Charter documents are based on the Bible and Christianity. Myth 6: America’s virtues justify America’s sins. Myth 7: Christianity should be promoted in public education. Throckmorton examines these myths and skillfully takes them apart with the precision of an investigative journalist. He employs primary sources to dismantle the sanitized history that many evangelicals believe. This is a book for those willing to wrestle with historical facts and desire real history. Understanding the complexities of American history does not invalidate the impact of Christianity on the American nation, rather it demonstrates that like all humanity, Americans live in a fallen world in need of salvation.