The Christian Past That Wasn't: Formerly Telling Jefferson Lies cover art

The Christian Past That Wasn't: Formerly Telling Jefferson Lies

The Christian Past That Wasn't: Formerly Telling Jefferson Lies

By: Warren Throckmorton
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Summary

Season Three began April 28. I am renaming the podcast The Christian Past That Wasn't to be consistent with the forthcoming book from Broadleaf Books, The Christian Past That Wasn't: Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History. This is so much more than a fact-checking book; it critiques the entire Christian nationalist project and misuse of history for political gain. Consistent with the first two seasons of this podcast, The Christian Past That Wasn't demonstrates that separation of church and state was the intention of the framers of the charter documents. We would be so much better off if we stayed true to separation of church and state in the US.


Podcast summary:

Telling Jefferson Lies chronicles how history can be hijacked for ideological and political purposes, as well as a much broader story about the surge of Christian nationalism and the misuse of history which often goes along with it. The series begins in season one with an in-depth consideration of the methods of Christian nationalist story teller David Barton. Then I tell the story of how his book on Jefferson was pulled from publication in 2012 and the response of evangelicals to that rare event. From there, I broaden the scope to examine the varieties of Christian nationalism and the negative consequences of this way of thinking about church and state. The last segment examines the reasons why the separation of church and state is good history, good civics, and good religion.


Season two consists of interviews with experts on Christian nationalism and the effects of religious liberty on church and state.

For more information, go to http://www.gettingjeffersonright.com and http://www.christianpast.com.

© 2026 Warren Throckmorton World
Episodes
  • The Christian Past That Wasn't - An Origin Story

    The Christian Past That Wasn't - An Origin Story
    May 5 2026

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    Why did I write The Christian Past That Wasn't? Answering that question requires me to revisit season one of the podcast and reflect on the rise of Christian nationalism in the African nation of Uganda in 2009. More recently, my work in fact-checking started with a pundit named Bryan Fischer who once broadcast on the American Family Association radio network. As I contended with Fischer, I found out that most of his material came from David Barton. Ultimately, my views changed from an inconsistent combination of Baptist distinctives and American civil religion to where I am today -- a strong supporter of separation of church and state. I wrote the new book to shed light on the heritage of religious tolerance and pluralism in the United States.

    You can now order the book at Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Other options can be found at http://www.christianpast.com.

    Music by Roman Candle and Netop

    Written, produced, and hosted by Warren Throckmorton

    Journalist Jonathan Larson makes an appearance via the replay of season 1, episode 11.
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    25 mins
  • This Present Moment - Interview with Todd Allen

    This Present Moment - Interview with Todd Allen
    Apr 28 2026

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    Today I interview Todd Allen, Founder of the Common Ground Project and administrator at Messiah University (PA). Todd and I talk about his work in civil rights education and history. We also discuss my forthcoming book, The Christian Past That Wasn't. Todd is an enthusiastic endorser of the book and makes a good case for why it is needed as the administration is manipulating history of the founding era.

    Music provided by Netop.

    Written, produced, and hosted by Warren Throckmorton

    For more information about The Christian Past That Wasn't, go to www.christianpast.com.

    To contact Todd about the Common Ground Project, go to the christianpast.com and use the contact function to send me an email. I will make sure he gets it.

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    22 mins
  • The Christian Past That Wasn't - Trailer Season Three

    The Christian Past That Wasn't - Trailer Season Three
    Apr 21 2026

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    On April 28, the first episode of the podcast series The Christian Past That Wasn't is scheduled for posting. This is a continuation of the podcast formerly known as Telling Jefferson Lies. TJL gets a new name in recognition of the publication of my new bookThe Christian Past That Wasn't: Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History. On May 19, Broadleaf Books will release this book and I plan to post a segment of the series that day as well.

    This brief segment is a trailer for the 2026 series. I am glad to have Todd Allen, Jeremie Beller, and Jemar Tisby with me on the trailer today.

    Music today is by Netop (formerly known as Earl's Taco Shack). A lot renaming going on round here. Netop is a Narrangansett word for friend or neighbor.

    Keep up with new developments at www.christianpast.com and warrenthrockmorton.substack.com.

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    5 mins
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