Shows
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationCharlie Kirk's Christian America, Part TwoIn this segment, I examine the notion that there was something remarkably Christian about America's founding era. Last week, I fact-checked Charlie Kirk's viral video defense of the belief that America was founded as a Christian nation in the legal sense. Most of what Kirk had to say was irrelevant or incorrect. Today, I consider an overview of moral and religious failings during the founding era. Along with guests Jemar Tisby, Mark Noll, George Marsden, Caleb Campbell, and Aaron Cowan, I contradict Charlie Kirk's call to return to America's Christian roots. In fact, those roots don't seem v...2025-05-0539 min
William Branham Historical ResearchGospel For Asia: A Whistleblower Comes Forward - Our StoriesSupport the show:
https://www.patreon.com/branham
Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts:
https://william-branham.org/podcast
Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:
Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K
John and Ralph discuss what appears to be one of the largest financial and spiritual scandals in modern religious history, tracing a network of evangelical institutions that supported Gospel for Asia (GFA), a missionary organization founded by K.P. Yohannan. Ralph, a former insider with extensive experience in Charismatic, Pentecostal, and Vineyard churches, recounts how he was pulled...2025-05-0256 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationCharlie Kirk's Christian AmericaIn 2024, Charlie Kirk distributed a five-minute video defense of the idea that America was founded as a Christian nation. It has been played at least 20 million times on various social media platforms and is full of faulty history. This segment serves to correct the false claims and defend the proposition that America's founders set out to found a secular government with provision for religious pluralism. Unfortunately, this only applied to white males at first. Kirk and his fellow Christian nationalists use a variety of false stories to prop up a vision of a Christian American founding. They w...2025-04-2848 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationMike Johnson's False Jefferson Prayer: The Rest of the StoryOn January 3, 2025, Louisiana Representative Mike Johnson was re-elected to be Speaker of the House. In his acceptance speech, he quoted a prayer that he said Thomas Jefferson said every day during his presidency and every day of his life thereafter. There is a problem with this story. The prayer was written 56 years after Jefferson died. Jefferson never said the prayer even one day of his life. Later, Johnson and the House chaplain refused to acknowledge they spread false witness to the whole country. Before the prayer was associated with Jefferson, it was falsely tied to Ge...2025-04-1442 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationTelling Jefferson Lies Season Two Trailer - Charlie Kirk's History LessonsIn 2024, a video featuring Charlie Kirk defending America as a Christian nation was viewed over 10 millions times on social media. Many of the claims were false or misleading. This season of Telling Jefferson Lies will examine this video and other Christian nation claims by Christian nationalists in addition to Kirk. The first full episode is planned for April. There are lies, there are Jefferson Lies, and then there are Christian nationalists' stories. Music by Warren Throckmorton and Jonus Fair. Host: Warren Throckmorton; guest Matthew Boedy. Art: Sarah Eshelman2025-03-1102 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationTelling Jefferson Lies Season Two Preview - January 6 EditionAlthough the dates have not been set, new episodes of Telling Jefferson Lies are coming this Spring. I want to go deeper into the faulty history of Christian nationalism but also examine the psychology behind it as well. Christian nationalism as an ideology is much more complex than fake quotes and false stories. The way history has been written from the beginning of the arrival of the Europeans must be examined as well.This trailer focuses on January 6 with a clip from David and Tim Barton doing their Christian nationalist duty to distract from the r...2025-01-0603 min
Just Liberty18: History--It's not just about the past. Interview with Warren ThrockmortonCould historical mis-readings of America's founding be helping fuel today's political polarization? What difference does it make what we believe about Thomas Jefferson's religious views or his attitude toward slavery?
We talk with Warren Throckmorton, a psychologist, podcaster, and co-author of the book, Getting Jefferson Right: Fact-checking Claims About Our Third President.
An interview with Warren Throckmorton.
Show Notes:
The "Telling Jefferson Lies" podcast hosted by Dr. Throckmorton: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/telling-jefferson-lies/id1720424853
Book: Getting Jefferson Right by Warren Throckmorton and Michael Coulter https://www.amazon.c...2024-09-0321 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationThe Spirit of Justice: A Bonus Episode with Jemar TisbyOn September 3, 2024, author and historian Jemar Tisby's new book The Spirit of Justice: True Stories of Faith, Race, and Resistance officially drops everywhere. Today, I am posting most of the interview I conducted with Jemar for use in my podcast series Telling Jefferson Lies. In this episode, I recreate my questions because of a recording glitch in the original. The recording on Jemar's end was excellent with brilliant content to match, so this is a quality and thought provoking episode. We cover much of the podcast material (e.g., Thomas Jefferson as an enslaver, David Barton's faux...2024-08-2526 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationDisarming Leviathan - Bonus Episode with Caleb CampbellOn July 2, 2024, Caleb Campbell's new book Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor officially drops everywhere. Today, I am posting most of the interview I conducted with Caleb for use in my podcast series Telling Jefferson Lies. In this episode, I do say I want to smash Christian nationalists, but I hope it is clear that I am not serious, but instead I agree with Caleb's approach. There is often a difference between what we might feel like doing and we know we should do, and Caleb points us to our better angels. The opening mu...2024-06-3028 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationMinisters of Propaganda - Bonus Episode with Scott ColeyExcerpts from my interview with Scott Coley, lecturer in philosophy at Mount St. Mary's University. His new book Ministers of Propaganda: Truth, Power, and the Ideology of the Religious Right is out this week. In this bonus episode of the podcast series Telling Jefferson Lies, Scott discusses Christo-authoritarianism and the role of justice in overcoming self-interest. Music credits:Seiche by Dustin BlatnikDebris by Roman CandleNight Walk by Warren Throckmorton2024-06-0510 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationWhat's So Good About Separation of Church and State?Often debates focus on Christian nationalism and the problems which come from blurring the line between church and state. In this episode, I end the Telling Jefferson Lies series with some thoughts and testimony from experts about what is good about separation. Helping me close out the series are:Randall Balmer, John Phillips Chair in Religion, Dartmouth CollegeCaleb Campbell, Pastor, Desert Springs Bible Church, Phoenix, AZMichael Coulter, Professor, Political Science and Humanities, Grove City CollegeGreg Forster, theologian, Trinity International UniversityCharles Haynes, senior fellow for religious liberty at t...2024-05-0144 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationThe O'Connor QuestionIn 2005, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor asked an important question for those who would erode separation of church and state: "Why would we trade a system that has served us so well for one that has served others so poorly? "I spend much of this episode affirming that we should not trade. Much of this series has been raising alarm about Christian nationalism and supporting separation of church and state. This episode assembles an all-star cast of experts in favor of a strong separation position. Joining me are:Randall Balmer: John Phillips Chair in Religion at...2024-05-0156 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationLosing Our ReligionIn this segment, I argue that Christian nationalism is bad for religion in general and bad for Christianity in the specific case. This segment sets up the finale which argues that separation of church and state is a benefit to the United States and should be strengthened. If you like experts and multiple voices, this is the segment for you. Here is the lineup:Randall Balmer, John Phillips Chair in Religion, Dartmouth CollegePaul Kemeny, Dean of Arts and Letters, Grove City CollegeBob Smietana, Journalist, Religion News ServiceCaleb Campbell, Pastor, D...2024-04-2350 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationAmerica is Not a Christian Nation - Bonus Episode with Randall BalmerIn this short bonus episode, Dartmouth College professor Randall Balmer provides an introduction to reasons why he doesn't see the U.S. as a Christian nation. Dr. Balmer is the John Phillips Chair in Religion at Dartmouth College. He has spoken at numerous colleges and universities, including where I met him, Grove City College. Balmer has published more than a dozen books, including Redeemer: The Life of Jimmy Carter, God in the White House: How Faith Shaped the Presidency from John F. Kennedy to George W. Bush, and Bad Faith: Race and the Rise of th...2024-04-2111 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationConsequences of Christian NationalismIn general terms, I believe Christian nationalism is bad history, bad politics, and bad religion. In prior episodes, I have concentrated on the bad history. In this segment and the next, I focus mainly on the bad politics. Around the world, religious nationalism is associated with state sponsored violence against citizens, use of force to take political control, erosion of the separation of church and state, degrading of democratic principles and attacks on minority rights. I believe Christian nationalism is also bad for Christianity which I will examine in the next episode.Note: I did not mention...2024-04-1254 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationSally Hemings Bonus Episode, Whitewashing Jefferson, Part ThreeAs promised, here is the completion of my examination of David Barton's whitewashing of Thomas Jefferson. In our book Getting Jefferson Right: Fact-Checking Claims About Thomas Jefferson, Michael Coulter and I assume the position held by most scholars and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation when it comes to the paternity of Sally Hemings children, i.e., Thomas Jefferson was their father. In The Jefferson Lies, David Barton deceives readers about what Madison Hemings said about his mother. Here is what Barton said Hemings told a Pike County (OH) newspaper in 1873."The other major oral tradition challenging...2024-04-0723 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationThe True Story of the False Origins of the Seven Mountains Message - Bonus EpisodeThis supplements episode 10, Still Searching for Christian America, Part Two. You can listen to this first, but I definitely encourage you to go back and catch up if you do. Everybody in Christian nationalism is talking about the seven mountains message. The message is at the root of much violent rhetoric coming from Christian nationalists but according to one of the key players in the movement, the origin story is fake. Helping me out in this bonus episode is Senior scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies Matthew Taylor; English prof at...2024-04-0131 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationStill Searching for Christian America, Part TwoNote: Earlier versions of this segment had a low quality version of a speech by Jerry Falwell. The audio problem has been corrected. In this episode, I describe the National Prayer Breakfast movement, right-wing Christian nationalists, Reconstructionists, and non-denominational charismatic Christian nationalists. My guests for this episode are:Julie Ingersoll, Professor of religion at the University of North Florida and author of Building God's Kingdom: Inside the World of Christian ReconstructionJonathan Larsen: Journalist, https://jonathanlarsen.substack.com/Joel McDurmon: Attorney, theologian, and author of several books i...2024-03-2749 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationStill Searching for Christian America, Part OneIn 1983, Mark Noll, Nathan Hatch, and George Marsden published a book titled The Search for Christian America. They concluded that there was nothing uniquely Christian in the founding of the United States and there is no Christian America to which to return. In this episode, both Drs. Noll and Marsden join me to say they believe today they were right in 1983 and the same conclusions are correct today. In between comments from these illustrious historians, I interview experts regarding the various conceptions of Christian nationalism, including "secular" leaning nationalism, white nationalism, and Catholic varieties, including integralism. I...2024-03-2144 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationWolfe in Wolf's ClothingStephen Wolfe's book The Case for Christian Nationalism ignited a firestorm of controversy when it was released in 2022. In the book, Wolfe calls for revolt against tyranny and for Christians to mobilize at the state and local level to enact self-conscious Christian governments. In principle, according to Wolfe, Christian state's could use violence to maintain a Christian social order. With the help of Cato Institute historian Paul Matzko, podcast host Warren Throckmorton analyzes how Wolfe deals with Thomas Jefferson and highlights differences from other Christian nationalists such as David Barton. Also joining the program is Grove City C...2024-03-1449 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationThe Capitol Tour Explained - Bonus EpisodeSHOW NOTES:This bonus episode is a supplement to Conspiracy of Silence (Episode Seven of Telling Jefferson Lies). It provides the audio of the Family Research Council Capitol Tour led by David Barton followed by the the response of 35 historians and social scientists who, in 2013, asked FRC to remove the video from social media. You can watch the original video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzGdHZDXxKITo get the story, listen to the Conspiracy of Silence, episode seven. Written and produced by: Warren ThrockmortonNarrated by: Michael Coulter...2024-03-0928 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationConspiracy of SilenceAfter David Barton's book The Jefferson Lies was pulled from publication in August, 2012, some Christian organizations wrote critical articles and publicly distanced themselves from Barton and Wallbuilders. Other groups some were caught off guard. The leaders of these groups knew they had false and misleading material being offered to their constituents, but they didn’t make any moves to remove it. This episode examines how two of those organizations, Family Research Council and Focus on the Family, handled the situation. I wish I could say this episode has a happy ending. Ultimately, what began as a conspiracy of...2024-03-0748 min
Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian NationWhitewashing Jefferson, Part TwoThis is a continuation of last week's episode on whitewashing Jefferson. Today, we specifically take on Barton's contention that Jefferson was a civil rights hero for African Americans and was a strong anti-slavery advocate during his entire life.In fact, after 1784, Jefferson's promising beginning as an opponent of slavery faded away. While he continued to advocate emancipation, he linked it with deportation. He always believed that Blacks and Whites could not live together in one nation. He dedicated himself to the business of slavery and as president, supported the expansion of the American slave trade into Louisiana. 2024-02-2947 min