by John Ellis
John Fea is an evangelical historian who is professor of history and chair of the history department at Messiah University in Pennsylvania. As an evangelical scholar, he takes flak from both his right and his left. I don’t agree with everything he says (which is true of every historian I read) but am grateful for his knowledge and voice. I’ve learned much from him. If you’re on Twitter and don’t follow him, I encourage you to do so.
In a recent article, Dr. Fea challenged Jack Hibbs’ claim that, “If we were writing the Bible today, George Washington would be included.” Hibbs is the founder and pastor of Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills, CA. Firmly in the Christian nationalist camp – Calvary Chapel adheres to NAR’s Seven Mountain Mandate – Hibbs is one of the loudest voices in white evangelicalism promoting the unholy syncretism of God and country and MAGA and evangelicalism. The video (included in Dr. Fea’s article) is chock-full of Christian nationalist talking points. Thankfully, Dr. Fea uses his scholarship in the service of debunking the nonsense. For example, did you know that the famous painting of George Washington praying in the snow at Valley Forge is not historical? Most white evangelicals probably assume that it is. I know I was taught the event as history at my Christian school.
I encourage you to read Dr. Fea’s timely and needed article by clicking here.
Practically Known Theology 