The Modern Invention of Christian America

The idea that America was founded as an explicitly Christian nation has become central to modern Christian nationalism—but the history is far more complicated. In this video, we examine the Founding Fathers, the separation of church and state, religious freedom, and the political movement that reshaped American history to support a modern Christian nationalist agenda. Discover how post-World War II alliances between evangelical leaders, big business, and conservative politics helped create a new vision of “Christian America.” From Dwight Eisenhower and the rise of Christian libertarianism to David Barton, the Religious Right, and today’s political leaders, this deep dive explores how historical myths are created, why they become politically powerful, and the consequences of rewriting the past to serve the present. Warren Throckmorton’s book: https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/... Christian Nationalism definition: https://prri.org/research/a-christian... Newsletter link for giveaway: https://benjaminpark.kit.com/e8e78e2331 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... Instagram:   / benjaminparkhistorian   TikTok:   / benjaminparkhistorian   Books: American Zion: https://amzn.to/4j8Ms16 Kingdom of Nauvoo: https://amzn.to/4cmigxw Video Chapters: 00:00 Rewriting History 01:04 Five Principles 02:00 Founding Myths 02:56 Religious Freedom 03:58 Founders Speak 04:58 Church and State 06:02 Founder Myths 06:59 Channel Update 08:39 Postwar Alliance 09:30 Christian Libertarianism 10:47 Rewriting America 11:50 Bicentennial Myths 12:59 Modern Invention 14:18 Jefferson Lies 15:44 Political Influence 16:38 Hijacking History 17:49 National Consequences 18:46 Unstable Alliances 19:55 Three Conclusions 21:17 Final Thoughts #ChristianNationalism #AmericanHistory #ReligiousRight #churchandstate About This Channel: Welcome to the channel! I’m Dr. Benjamin Park—historian, author, professor, and unapologetic history geek. If you're tired of hearing that everything is unprecedented or nothing like this has ever happened before, you're in the right place. This channel dives into the complex (and fascinating) intersections of American religion, politics, and culture. I bring history out of the ivory tower and into real-world conversations—making it relevant, accessible, and even a little fun. Expect weekly deep dives, quick takes on current events, book recommendations, and sharp insights from the past to help us understand our present. From Mormon history to the abolitionist movement and beyond, let’s unpack how we got here—and where we might be going. Subscribe and geek out with me on the power of the past. This channel participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com Views expressed on this channel are those of the presenter and not his employer.