Institute for Religion and Democracy Laments David Barton’s “Unfortunate, Unnecessary Exaggerations”

In a column posted yesterday on Patheos and then today on the website of the Institute for Religion and Democracy, IRD President Mark Tooley laments David Barton’s “unfortunate, unnecessary exaggerations.”

In this measured piece, Tooley runs through some of the usual suspects – Barton’s exaggerations of Jefferson’s involvement in the church at the Capitol, his misstep on Jefferson and slavery and Jefferson’s heterodox religious faith.  I take Tooley’s point to be that these and other embellishments and exaggerations are unnecessary to make the points Barton would like to make.  Furthermore, Christian theology would not expect perfect consistency from mortals.

While this analysis is brief and treads on these topics more gingerly than I have, I think it is significant that the IRD posted this on their website. Barton still today is casting his critics as liberals who are threatened by The Jefferson Lies.  However, with critiques from no fewer than 15 conservative Christian scholars (including John Fea – Messiah College, Jay Richards – Discovery Institute and Chuck Dunn – Regent University) and now these concerns from the conservative IRD, it is just impossible to make that charge stick.

 

 

14 thoughts on “Institute for Religion and Democracy Laments David Barton’s “Unfortunate, Unnecessary Exaggerations””

  1. David Barton and Glenn Beck are busy trying to turn deists into theist while the completely ignore professed Christians, who were mutilated and killed for their faith, people? who believed in a secular government. Men like John Leland and Roger Williams, the founders of the Baptist Faith in America. It is ironic how Glenn and David attack a secular Government with religious syncretism. It is hypocritical as well. I challenge all Christians to learn about Roger Williams and John Leland.

  2. David Barton and Glenn Beck are busy trying to turn deists into theist while the completely ignore professed Christians, who were mutilated and killed for their faith, people? who believed in a secular government. Men like John Leland and Roger Williams, the founders of the Baptist Faith in America. It is ironic how Glenn and David attack a secular Government with religious syncretism. It is hypocritical as well. I challenge all Christians to learn about Roger Williams and John Leland.

  3. How did Barton misrepresenting your book? I also guess it is easy to win the game when you don’t provide facts either.

    1. What? – A post is coming on the problems with Barton’s response on slavery and the other issues. Slavery today, the other ones next week.

  4. I’ve called Barton’s views exaggerated, as well. And I’m happy to see that my views are shared by a man like Mark Toley, who is a reliable voice of conservative non-mainstream Christianity – one of whom I definitely know that he doesn’t pander to the Christian or secular left, but that he basically understands Barton’s causes and only looks for better means than Barton’s.

  5. How did Barton misrepresenting your book? I also guess it is easy to win the game when you don’t provide facts either.

    1. What? – A post is coming on the problems with Barton’s response on slavery and the other issues. Slavery today, the other ones next week.

  6. I’ve called Barton’s views exaggerated, as well. And I’m happy to see that my views are shared by a man like Mark Toley, who is a reliable voice of conservative non-mainstream Christianity – one of whom I definitely know that he doesn’t pander to the Christian or secular left, but that he basically understands Barton’s causes and only looks for better means than Barton’s.

  7. After watching GBTV today and listening to Glenn’s discussion with David Barton, you guys are obviously in left field and your team is on the road.

    1. David Hampton – Barton misrepresented both our book and what is in his book. It is easy to win a game when the other team is not on the field.

  8. So far his critics have been leftists AND conscientious conservatives with respect for honesty. But with Tooley his critics now even extend to right-wing loons. You have to admit, that’s a pretty impressive stretch of opposition.

  9. After watching GBTV today and listening to Glenn’s discussion with David Barton, you guys are obviously in left field and your team is on the road.

    1. David Hampton – Barton misrepresented both our book and what is in his book. It is easy to win a game when the other team is not on the field.

  10. So far his critics have been leftists AND conscientious conservatives with respect for honesty. But with Tooley his critics now even extend to right-wing loons. You have to admit, that’s a pretty impressive stretch of opposition.

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