Why I Wrote The Christian Past That Wasn't

This week's podcast segment provides an origin story

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. The rest, as they say, is history.

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 and to stand up for separation of church and government.

You can now order the book at Amazon or Barnes and Noble (available now). Other options can be found at http://www.christianpast.com. If you preordered the book via Amazon, you might be getting it very soon. Apparently, they are apparently fulfilling preorders now. If you want the book before May 19, both Amazon and Barnes & Noble are taking orders.

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.

The Christian Past That Wasn’t: Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History (May 2026) is published by Broadleaf Books and available to order for Kindle and hardcover at Amazon or wherever books are sold (e.g. Christianbook.com or Walmart).

On Goodreads and plan to read The Christian Past That Wasn’t? Click the “want to read” tab on the Goodreads website.