A theologian and church historian, Lillback currently serves as president of Westminster Theological Seminary, a pillar of conservative Presbyterianism since its founding by J. Gresham Machen in 1929.
Once unknown outside of evangelical and Presbyterian circles, Lillback has made a name for himself as a defender of “America’s historical Judeo-Christian roots.” As head of the Providence Forum, he has authored several works on the nation’s religious heritage, including Wall of Misconception, Lessons on Liberty, and the Washington book. Board members for the Providence Forum include John Templeton, Jr. and Francis Irénée du Pont.
In 2007 Lillback spoke at a celebration of Jamestown’s quadricentennial sponsored by Vision Forum Ministries, an organization led by Doug Phillips, son of Constitution Party founder Howard Phillips. According to Lillback, “It was wonderful to see that, four centuries later, Americans are still celebrating the Christian worldview of Jamestown’s founders.” The same year he participated in an event at the National Constitution Center with Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and John DiIulio.
How did a seminary president become Amazon’s bestselling author? On Tuesday, May 18, Lillback made an appearance on the Glenn Beck Program with Jerry Falwell, Jr., chancellor of Liberty University. Though the focus was on the roots of social justice, Beck took the opportunity to plug Lillback’s George Washington’s Sacred Fire. Lillback thanked him for the exposure.
When Lillback called Beck “the best publicist in town,” he was on to something. On a March program, the broadcaster spoke of creating a virtual Glenn Beck University, promising to feature “some of the brightest minds in America.” In recent weeks, the FOX News personality has helped to publicize a version of America’s founding largely rejected by academic historians.
Among those rejecting the Christian America storyline are Lillback’s co-religionists, historians Mark Noll, Nathan Hatch, and George Marsden. Well-regarded scholars with strong evangelical commitments, this trio published The Search for Christian America back in 1983, arguing that “a careful study of the facts of history shows that early America does not deserve to be considered uniquely, distinctly, or even predominately Christian, if we mean by the word ‘Christian’ a state of society reflecting the ideals presented in Scripture. There is no lost golden age to which American Christians may return.” While acknowledging the influence of religion in colonial America, they also criticized the misuse of faith during the American Revolution.
There are a lot of good hyperlinks in the reproduced passage that I didn't include. Check them.
9 comments:
“a careful study of the facts of history shows that early America does not deserve to be considered uniquely, distinctly, or even predominately Christian, if we mean by the word ‘Christian’ a state of society reflecting the ideals presented in Scripture."
This is proposterous.
King: Careful who you are messing with. It might help if you ordered "The Search For Christian America" and read it first.
"if we mean by the word ‘Christian’ a state of society reflecting the ideals presented in Scripture."
It all depends on what ideals. I am sure theirs differ from mine. But I should get at least one of thier books. Better yet, doesn;t Frazer think like these guys? Do you have a link to his doc thesis?
My idea of Christian ideals is people who love the neighbor enough to give him the same liberties that they want for themselves. That does not jive with certain Christian world views. I think the founding was very filled with that ideal.
Authority means nothing to me. I have gone into meetings with Pastors more than once and tried to set them straight. You see I have no fear of Frazer though he is infinitely more educated than I am. If I think they are wrong I will point it out.
I am not anti-academia but a lot of these guys are full of shit. And a PHD does not change that.
Anyway, with these Evangelical guys it comes down to interpretations of the Bible and many of them are more influenced by their tradition than a search for truth. It taints everything they do.
"if we mean by the word ‘Christian’ a state of society reflecting the ideals presented in Scripture."
There is sola scriptura again. I missed the first few times I read this. But you are right I should read the book before I comment. Or at least part of it.
Well, pretty much, the discussion of religion and the Founding gets reduced to sola scriptura on one side and Jefferson on the other.
Definitely not a Christian Nation that way. He who frames the debate tends to win it.
"Well, pretty much, the discussion of religion and the Founding gets reduced to sola scriptura on one side and Jefferson on the other."
Thus my year long attempt to re-frame the debate and get sotierology out of it. But as you see by the last 15 posts up top the battle lines have already been drawn and the scripts written.
I hear that, Joe.
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