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America's Christian History: The Untold Story
Christianity is written on every page of America's amazing history. Gary DeMar presents well-documented facts which will change your perspective about what it means to be a Christian in America; the truth about America's Christian past as it relates to supreme court justices, and presidents; the Christian character of colonial charters, state constitutions, and the US Constitution; the Christian foundation of colleges, the Christian character of Washington, D.C.; the origin of Thanksgiving and so much more. Three appendixes have been added that further emphasize Christianity s positive influence on America. Additional information includes "Deism and the Founding of America" and "Jesus Christ and the Founding of America." This is an indispensable book which is needed in a time when even "under God" is coming under fire.
256 pages
First published January 1, 1993
6 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
Gary DeMar
94 books77 followersGary is a graduate of Western Michigan University (1973) and earned his M.Div. at Reformed Theological Seminary in 1979. In 2007, he earned his Ph.D. in Christian Intellectual History from Whitefield Theological Seminary. Author of countless essays, news articles, and more than 27 book titles, he also hosts The Gary DeMar Show, and History Unwrapped—both broadcasted and podcasted. Gary has lived in the Atlanta area since 1979 with his wife, Carol. They have two married sons and are enjoying being grandparents to their grandson. Gary and Carol are members of Midway Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 6, 2020
4.8/5 -- This... This is an extremely important book. Well-researched. Well-documented. Well-written. Smart and incisive. Thorough and honest. I wish Mr. DeMar would author either a revised updated edition or even a whole new book addressing some of the sociopolitical events and changes of the last couple decades as they pertain to our country, our heritage, and what many people of today are doing/teaching/promoting/etc. to ignore, discredit, or falsify our nation's history.
February 23, 2023
Very good book. The author definitely did his research. DeMar shows the foundation of our country and how slowly we are not teaching the next generations of the beginnings of our country. I liked this one quote, “Education without the Bible is useless “—- Noah Webster
June 12, 2024
Lots of great info
March 25, 2013
What a gem! Providentially I found this book at a used bookstore on the way home from an unexpected trip to Kansas. And I'm so thankful to God for it.
Gary DeMar does a wonderful job of showing the true historical Christian roots of our nation without unduly sanitizing the founding fathers. This book does a number of things in the way of being a great primer to American history:
(1) Analyzes the role of government censorship, shows how it worked (in a bad way) throughout statist nations in history, and demonstrates the way it has happened and is continuing to happen in America today.
(2) Demonstrates from primary sources the original intent of the colonizing of America, the first charters, and the Christian great commission assumption of the early settlers up through the forming of the new nation.
(3) Handles the founding documents in their historical context, showing the true Christian nature of them - that is, even when the founding fathers were not all-together orthodox Christian, they still affirmed the necessity of the general principles of the Christian faith in order for the country to succeed.
(4) Addresses several misconceptions of what the founding fathers, founding documents, and other items do and do not say - in their historical context - over against what is taught in government-run public schools today in America.
It's a great read and a great reference.
Gary DeMar does a wonderful job of showing the true historical Christian roots of our nation without unduly sanitizing the founding fathers. This book does a number of things in the way of being a great primer to American history:
(1) Analyzes the role of government censorship, shows how it worked (in a bad way) throughout statist nations in history, and demonstrates the way it has happened and is continuing to happen in America today.
(2) Demonstrates from primary sources the original intent of the colonizing of America, the first charters, and the Christian great commission assumption of the early settlers up through the forming of the new nation.
(3) Handles the founding documents in their historical context, showing the true Christian nature of them - that is, even when the founding fathers were not all-together orthodox Christian, they still affirmed the necessity of the general principles of the Christian faith in order for the country to succeed.
(4) Addresses several misconceptions of what the founding fathers, founding documents, and other items do and do not say - in their historical context - over against what is taught in government-run public schools today in America.
It's a great read and a great reference.
December 9, 2024
This book was EXCELLENT and makes a very clear case for our nation being founded on Christian principles. The research was thorough and greatly detailed. The following are all of the statements/examples that really resonated with me:
In the introduction (he got right into it right away): “All people, however, answer to some standard of behavior. The question is this: In a religiously diverse society, what ethical standard should the civil magistrate use to make. Moral judgments about civil activity? This question is the essence of the debate about a “Christian America.”
“It is one thing to claim that there is no evidence of a Christian America and prove it. It’s another thing to fabricate history to suit one’s entrenched presuppositions. An honest study of America’s past will show that a majority of Americans shared a common religion and ethic. America’s earliest founders were self-professing Christians and their founding documents expressed a belief in a Christian worldview. “
“America’s Christian history is a fact. It is not honest to redefine history or tamper with historical record just so that people of differing opinions are not offended. It was America’s moral choice that made this nation the envy of the world and a haven for the opporessed.”
“The present educational establishment has been obscuring the past so that our children have no way of comparing the facts of history with the distorted version promoted by biased secular historians….The state-mandated academic community has an agenda to establish a worldview which has little need for the ethical values of the Bible. In addition, over-zealous and ill-informed government officials are purging our nation of its religious heritage….Rejection of the moral foundations of the past will always result in the disintegration of a culture.”
“A survey of ALL of the colonies will lead any student to conclude that they were founded on the religious precepts of Christianity. As history attests, many of the religious provisions were later removed from both the legislative and judicial acts of the colonies. Remnants of these religious regulations, however, remained as the colonies developed into states. An example: the 1776 constitution of N. Carolina: “ No person who shall deny the being of God, or the truth of the Protestant religion, or the divine authority of the Old or New Testament, or who shall hold religious principles incompatible with the freedom and safety of the State, shall be capable of holding any office or place of trust or profit in the civil department within this State.”
“EACH of the 13 original state constitutions established Christianity as the state-protected religion. Even today, all fifty state constitutions express dependence on Almighty God for their preservation.
“Freedom and liberty, ideals cherished by all Americans, were rooted in a Biblical moral order. Liberty was not license. Freedom was not the right always to do what one pleased. However, if there is no God, then there are no rules. This is what they are trying to do- erase Christian history, erase God…and then it will be moral chaos…survival of the fittest will prevail.
“Today’s definition of liberty is freedom FROM moral restraints. According to today’s use of the term, one is not truly free if bound by any moral code. This is not how the Founding Fathers viewed liberty.”
Re: New England colonial colleges: “The founders of these educational institutions understood the relationship between a sound education based upon biblical absolutes and the future of the nation.” Ivy league colleges all began with the intention of giving thorough knowledge of languages, mathematics, and/or sciences, as well as a commitment to Jesus Christ, and the belief that the Bible was the foundation for truth. Ex: Harvard’s original motto was Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae (Truth for Christ and the Church). It has now been shortened to simply Veritas- truth (relative).
Re: The Declaration of Independence: “ We are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights.” The logic is simple- No creator, no rights. The moral state of our nation is directly tied to this single phrase in the Declaration. Today, while our nation clamors for rights, it rejects the standard by which those rights secure their moral anchor. “
“The Founding Fathers believed that without the precepts of the Christian religion there could be no morality- for individuals as well as for the nations. The first amendment (separation of church/state) provides a LEGAL separation between church and state, not a moral or spiritual separation…Indeed without the principles of Christianity, these United States will fall.”
The conclusion: “America’s Christian heritage is a fading memory for most Americans. Decades of value-neutral public education have left our nation without a moral anchor. While the Bible is a perennial bestseller, and Americans publish and purchase more Bibles than any other people on earth, the Bible has virtually disappeared from American education. It is rarely studies, even as literature, in public classrooms. And yet, it was the Bible that made America. The rejection of the Bible in our day is resulting in the unmaking of America. How is it that a nation that seems to be in love with the Bible works so hard to reject its teachings? First, while Americans seem to honor the Bible, they are ignorant of its contents. Americans revere the Bible but by and large they don’t read it. And because they don’t read it, they have become a nation of biblical illiterates. And, if a majority of the people don’t know what the Bible says, certainly we cannot expect them to know what it means and how it applies. If America is ever to regain her greatness, the churches of America must once again preach an authentic gospel- not the gospel of works and superficial religiosity.”
In the introduction (he got right into it right away): “All people, however, answer to some standard of behavior. The question is this: In a religiously diverse society, what ethical standard should the civil magistrate use to make. Moral judgments about civil activity? This question is the essence of the debate about a “Christian America.”
“It is one thing to claim that there is no evidence of a Christian America and prove it. It’s another thing to fabricate history to suit one’s entrenched presuppositions. An honest study of America’s past will show that a majority of Americans shared a common religion and ethic. America’s earliest founders were self-professing Christians and their founding documents expressed a belief in a Christian worldview. “
“America’s Christian history is a fact. It is not honest to redefine history or tamper with historical record just so that people of differing opinions are not offended. It was America’s moral choice that made this nation the envy of the world and a haven for the opporessed.”
“The present educational establishment has been obscuring the past so that our children have no way of comparing the facts of history with the distorted version promoted by biased secular historians….The state-mandated academic community has an agenda to establish a worldview which has little need for the ethical values of the Bible. In addition, over-zealous and ill-informed government officials are purging our nation of its religious heritage….Rejection of the moral foundations of the past will always result in the disintegration of a culture.”
“A survey of ALL of the colonies will lead any student to conclude that they were founded on the religious precepts of Christianity. As history attests, many of the religious provisions were later removed from both the legislative and judicial acts of the colonies. Remnants of these religious regulations, however, remained as the colonies developed into states. An example: the 1776 constitution of N. Carolina: “ No person who shall deny the being of God, or the truth of the Protestant religion, or the divine authority of the Old or New Testament, or who shall hold religious principles incompatible with the freedom and safety of the State, shall be capable of holding any office or place of trust or profit in the civil department within this State.”
“EACH of the 13 original state constitutions established Christianity as the state-protected religion. Even today, all fifty state constitutions express dependence on Almighty God for their preservation.
“Freedom and liberty, ideals cherished by all Americans, were rooted in a Biblical moral order. Liberty was not license. Freedom was not the right always to do what one pleased. However, if there is no God, then there are no rules. This is what they are trying to do- erase Christian history, erase God…and then it will be moral chaos…survival of the fittest will prevail.
“Today’s definition of liberty is freedom FROM moral restraints. According to today’s use of the term, one is not truly free if bound by any moral code. This is not how the Founding Fathers viewed liberty.”
Re: New England colonial colleges: “The founders of these educational institutions understood the relationship between a sound education based upon biblical absolutes and the future of the nation.” Ivy league colleges all began with the intention of giving thorough knowledge of languages, mathematics, and/or sciences, as well as a commitment to Jesus Christ, and the belief that the Bible was the foundation for truth. Ex: Harvard’s original motto was Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae (Truth for Christ and the Church). It has now been shortened to simply Veritas- truth (relative).
Re: The Declaration of Independence: “ We are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights.” The logic is simple- No creator, no rights. The moral state of our nation is directly tied to this single phrase in the Declaration. Today, while our nation clamors for rights, it rejects the standard by which those rights secure their moral anchor. “
“The Founding Fathers believed that without the precepts of the Christian religion there could be no morality- for individuals as well as for the nations. The first amendment (separation of church/state) provides a LEGAL separation between church and state, not a moral or spiritual separation…Indeed without the principles of Christianity, these United States will fall.”
The conclusion: “America’s Christian heritage is a fading memory for most Americans. Decades of value-neutral public education have left our nation without a moral anchor. While the Bible is a perennial bestseller, and Americans publish and purchase more Bibles than any other people on earth, the Bible has virtually disappeared from American education. It is rarely studies, even as literature, in public classrooms. And yet, it was the Bible that made America. The rejection of the Bible in our day is resulting in the unmaking of America. How is it that a nation that seems to be in love with the Bible works so hard to reject its teachings? First, while Americans seem to honor the Bible, they are ignorant of its contents. Americans revere the Bible but by and large they don’t read it. And because they don’t read it, they have become a nation of biblical illiterates. And, if a majority of the people don’t know what the Bible says, certainly we cannot expect them to know what it means and how it applies. If America is ever to regain her greatness, the churches of America must once again preach an authentic gospel- not the gospel of works and superficial religiosity.”
January 20, 2009
Really informative.
March 4, 2020
In their own words! If you dispute what they said, then you'll deny anything. DeMar shows America's Christian founding in its own words. Great read.
July 15, 2024
AN ARGUMENT THAT AMERICA WAS, AND SHOULD BE NOW, A "CHRISTIAN NATION”
Gary DeMar is the president of American Vision, and a popular writer on Americanism ('God and Government, Vol. 1, 'and two following volumes), eschatology (see his books 'Last Days Madness: Obsession of the Modern Church,' 'End Times Fiction A Biblical Consideration Of The Left Behind Theology,' and 'Why the End of the World is Not in Your Future'), and Christian Reconstruction (see books like 'Christian Reconstruction: What It Is, What It Isn't' and 'The Debate over Christian Reconstruction').
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1993 book, "A belief in a Christian America does not mean that EVERY American is now or ever was a Christian... (it) does not mean that non-Christians, and for that matter, dissenting Christians, cannot hold contrary opinions in a climate of a general Christian consensus." But nevertheless, the Great Commission is "a fundamental part of the Christian worldview." He asks, "Can America now be called a Christian nation?... there is no doubt that the memory is fading quickly..." but he concludes, "All law now rests on some moral basis. The question it, Whose morality will be adopted?"
He admits, however, that "on many doctrines the founders were not orthodox. They did, however, believe in God and providence. (Pg. 87) He states early on, "Non-Christians are not exempt from God's moral law. An atheist, for example, cannot appeal to his atheism and freely live as an ethical anarchist." (Pg. 4) He notes as one of his evidences that Congress declared 1983 the "Year of the Bible." (Pg. 53).
He concludes the book by citing Puritan missionary John Eliot, and stating that "Because we are living in God's kingdom, Eliot taught, it is our duty to follow the King's rules." (Pg. 126)
While some of DeMar's books are controversial (and rather polemical) even among fellow Christians, this is one of his broader books, and should find a wider and more receptive audience.
Gary DeMar is the president of American Vision, and a popular writer on Americanism ('God and Government, Vol. 1, 'and two following volumes), eschatology (see his books 'Last Days Madness: Obsession of the Modern Church,' 'End Times Fiction A Biblical Consideration Of The Left Behind Theology,' and 'Why the End of the World is Not in Your Future'), and Christian Reconstruction (see books like 'Christian Reconstruction: What It Is, What It Isn't' and 'The Debate over Christian Reconstruction').
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1993 book, "A belief in a Christian America does not mean that EVERY American is now or ever was a Christian... (it) does not mean that non-Christians, and for that matter, dissenting Christians, cannot hold contrary opinions in a climate of a general Christian consensus." But nevertheless, the Great Commission is "a fundamental part of the Christian worldview." He asks, "Can America now be called a Christian nation?... there is no doubt that the memory is fading quickly..." but he concludes, "All law now rests on some moral basis. The question it, Whose morality will be adopted?"
He admits, however, that "on many doctrines the founders were not orthodox. They did, however, believe in God and providence. (Pg. 87) He states early on, "Non-Christians are not exempt from God's moral law. An atheist, for example, cannot appeal to his atheism and freely live as an ethical anarchist." (Pg. 4) He notes as one of his evidences that Congress declared 1983 the "Year of the Bible." (Pg. 53).
He concludes the book by citing Puritan missionary John Eliot, and stating that "Because we are living in God's kingdom, Eliot taught, it is our duty to follow the King's rules." (Pg. 126)
While some of DeMar's books are controversial (and rather polemical) even among fellow Christians, this is one of his broader books, and should find a wider and more receptive audience.
May 26, 2025
There has been a discussion amongst the men of my church if America was a Christian Nation. Wanted to read some source material on it and knew that Gary Demar would have a well researched and thoroughly cited work. Was not disappointed. Much of the debate among Christians comes down to definitions of "Christian," being baptistic we often focus exclusively on internal regeneration and because of past sins or failings theologically we assume to know that many of the founders were not regenerate. But this seems to me to be taking on too much of what is known only by God. If we were transported back to the 18th century or even the 17th we would be surrounded by people who thought and professed themselves Christians and who were operating from a foundational belief in the Bible as God's revealed word (arguably more sincerely than some in our seminaries these days but I digress).
Because this book is a number of years old it isn't conversant with the conversation of Christian Nationalism brewing today, I think if it were it would have had a bit more time devoted to defining terms like "Christian Nation". But in telling the story of our Christian History this book does not disappoint.
Because this book is a number of years old it isn't conversant with the conversation of Christian Nationalism brewing today, I think if it were it would have had a bit more time devoted to defining terms like "Christian Nation". But in telling the story of our Christian History this book does not disappoint.
June 28, 2024
This is a well-researched exploration of our nation's roots. The book effectively highlights the profound influence of Christian principles on America's founding and early development. The author's use of historical documents and quotes from founding fathers provides strong evidence for his arguments which in the end, prove his points. I appreciate how the book sheds light on aspects of our history that are often overlooked (at times deliberately) in modern discussions. Excellent read...5-Stars!
November 30, 2020
Some chapter hit closer to home for me than others, if I could give a 4.5 rating I would. Very enlightening to read Chapter 2 Lessons From the Past, Chapter 6 Colonial Education, Chapter 9 The Separation Mirage, and the Appendixes. Very useful understanding of early founding of America.
January 9, 2022
Lots of good information about the founding and formation of our nation. Lots of interesting facts about the Christianization of our nation at its founding, too. Great book for some political apologetics ammunition.
February 19, 2024
This book is great. The author cites many other books that are now on my reading list. I’m glad I read this while my kids are still 6 and under as I will refer back to it for supplementing their education. He even recommends specific early reading primers that I plan to purchase immediately for my young soon to be readers.
November 14, 2010
This was a wonderful read. Gary DeMar shows in this book from historical documents that from the very first arrival of explorers to the new world to the establishment of this country as a nation, the driving force behind that was the expansion of Christianity and not just the exploration of foreign lands.
He goes through all of the founding documents of the first settlers, the colonies, the states and even that of the country's itself showing that all them are either explicitly Christian or generous towards the Christian faith. He also discusses several court cases dealing with this very topic, the significance of the Biblical language found on government buildings our currency etc., as well a in depth review of the ever popular Treaty of Tripoli.
No one can read this book and not agree that Mr. DeMar has made a solid case for America's Christian History. He even covers the question that may be asked "Even if it was founded as a Christian nation, what does that mean for us today?" For the answer to that you will have to read the book.
He goes through all of the founding documents of the first settlers, the colonies, the states and even that of the country's itself showing that all them are either explicitly Christian or generous towards the Christian faith. He also discusses several court cases dealing with this very topic, the significance of the Biblical language found on government buildings our currency etc., as well a in depth review of the ever popular Treaty of Tripoli.
No one can read this book and not agree that Mr. DeMar has made a solid case for America's Christian History. He even covers the question that may be asked "Even if it was founded as a Christian nation, what does that mean for us today?" For the answer to that you will have to read the book.
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December 2, 2014Gary DeMar sets the historical record straight that christianity gave America it's foundation for life, law, and government. He gives overwhelming evidence that America's heritage was based upon the christian religion. Beginning with the Mayflower Compact, the Colonial Charters, the state constitutions, the Declaration of Independence and many more documents, our country's rich history screams life and liberty through God's moral laws written in Scripture. After reading this book, I am ever more grateful to be an American and treasure our forefathers for their intelligence and wisdom in founding this great nation. God's Sovereign hand guided them and He's the reason we have true freedom. I challenge you to read this book and shout with me America, America, God shed His grace on thee. Let all the critics who want to rewrite America's history be silenced and Let FREEEEEDOM ring.
April 21, 2009
A very relevant book in today's anti-Christian culture. Provides solid evidence for America's Christian foundations and refutes arguments regarding the separation of church and state. Well worth reading.
March 11, 2011
Understanding more of what I missed or was not taught was a great feeling to recapture at my advanced age...no one's class plan to redirect and hide critical driven events and ideals was a mind expanding read.
March 15, 2013
A nice informative overview of some of the Christian Heritage of our Country that many of the revisionists ignore or change. Doesn't mean we were explicitly a "Christian" nation covenanted with God at the formation of the Constitution, but not doubt a strong influence.
May 26, 2009
If the King doesn't kiss the Son, than the nation is unfaithfual and will be crushed by the rod of iron, regardless of who may or may not have been a protestant in 1787.
February 24, 2010
The Christian God's influance on our Deist Forefathers
March 30, 2010
Very informative. Some of the chapters were choppy, but packed full of useful data.
April 13, 2011
Can't finish it. Won't try.
May 10, 2013
Excellent. Should be required reading at home (our kids are not getting the truth at school). And it's a short, easy, fact after fact read. Won't lose this copy. It's a keeper.
September 9, 2018
Splendid digest of the essential points proving America's Christian History.
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April 16, 2017Mr. Dimar provided excellent evidence to prove the influence of Christianity since the founding the colonies and the United States.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews