Explore the history of the United States from its European roots through the Constitution—but from a kingdom perspective. These stimulating messages examine American history through the lens of early Christian values.

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Course Content

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MCA (1 of 14): In the Beginning
MCA (2 of 14): The Reformation vs the Kingdom of God
MCA (3 of 14): Geneva: The Seedbed of Christian America
MCA (4 of 14): Geneva: When Puritans Ruled
MCA (5 of 14): The English Come to America
MCA (6 of 14): The Truth About Puritan New England
MCA (7 of 14): Causes of the American Revolution
MCA (8 of 14): The Real Reasons Why the Americans Won the Revolution
MCA (9 of 14): The Losers
MCA (10 of 14): Persecution of Kingdom Christians
MCA (11 of 14): Faith of the Founding Fathers #1
MCA (12 of 14): Faith of the Founding Fathers #2
MCA (13 of 14): Faith of the Founding Fathers #3
MCA (14 of 14): How God Was Written Out of the US Constitution
Survey: Myth of Christian America
Additional Readings: Myth of Christian America
Free Course Guide

What This Free Course Covers

In The Myth of Christian America, David Bercot traces the history of the United States from its European religious background through the adoption of the Constitution, asking how that history looks in light of Jesus’ kingdom teachings. The course challenges a popular conservative story that America began as a distinctly Christian nation, while also pushing back against simplified secular accounts that ignore the role of religion.

The lessons move from the kingdom of God and the “two kingdoms” to the Reformation, Geneva, Puritan England, English settlement in America, Puritan New England, the American Revolution, and the religious beliefs of major Founding Fathers. Bercot repeatedly contrasts institutionalized Christianity, political power, and national identity with the Sermon on the Mount and the example of Jesus and His apostles.

Students should expect a historical and theological critique rather than a patriotic celebration or a secular dismissal.

Kingdom of God Two kingdoms Christian nationalism Reformation history Puritanism American Revolution Nonresistance Founding Fathers Religious liberty U.S. Constitution

What You Will Study

  • The claim that America was founded as a Christian nation and why Bercot argues that claim is a myth
  • The kingdom of God, the doctrine of the two kingdoms, and the limits of earthly political power
  • How Luther, Calvin, Geneva, and Puritan England shaped the religious background of the English colonies
  • The English settlement of America, including economic motives, tobacco, slavery, and conflict with Native peoples
  • Puritan New England, its legal and religious life, and its connection to the slave trade
  • The causes and consequences of the American Revolution examined in light of Jesus’ teachings
  • The treatment of loyalists, Native peoples, enslaved people, and non-resistant kingdom Christians during the Revolution
  • The varied religious beliefs of major Founding Fathers and the absence of God from the U.S. Constitution

Questions This Course Helps Answer

  • Was America originally founded as a Christian nation?
  • What does Bercot mean by the kingdom of God and the two kingdoms?
  • Why does he argue that a Christian state is impossible before Christ’s return?
  • How did Luther’s Reformation influence later Protestant settlers in America?
  • Why does Bercot connect Calvin’s Geneva with Puritan ideas about society and government?
  • What happened when Puritans held political power in England?
  • What role did money, land, tobacco, and slavery play in early English America?
  • How does Bercot evaluate Puritan New England as a “city on a hill”?
  • Were the stated causes of the American Revolution consistent with Jesus’ teachings?
  • Why does Bercot say the Americans won the Revolution for ordinary historical reasons rather than as proof of divine approval?
  • Who suffered because of the American victory in the Revolution?
  • How were Quakers, Mennonites, Dunkards, and other non-resistant Christians treated during the Revolution?

Lesson-by-Lesson Guide

MCA (1 of 14): In the Beginning

Bercot introduces the series by identifying the common conservative myth of Christian America and contrasting it with the kingdom of God. He discusses the gospel of the kingdom, the two kingdoms, and the failure of attempts to make Rome a Christian state.

  • What is the popular myth of Christian America?
  • How does Bercot define the kingdom of God?
  • Why does he argue that Christ’s kingdom has no national, ethnic, or racial boundaries?
  • What lesson does he draw from Christian Rome?

MCA (2 of 14): The Reformation vs the Kingdom of God

This lesson focuses on Martin Luther and argues that the Reformation was not a return to kingdom Christianity. Bercot also explains Luther’s indirect influence on Protestant colonists and on later ideas about religious freedom.

  • Why does Bercot say the Reformation did not restore kingdom Christianity?
  • How did Luther’s doctrine of the two kingdoms develop?
  • What role did rulers and economic interests play in the Reformation?
  • How did Luther influence the English colonies indirectly?

MCA (3 of 14): Geneva: The Seedbed of Christian America

Bercot examines John Calvin, Calvinism, and Geneva as a major influence on Puritan thinking. He contrasts Geneva’s strict religious and civil order with the unchanging ethos of the kingdom of God.

  • Why does Bercot call Geneva a seedbed of American Christianity?
  • How did Calvin’s ideas shape Puritanism?
  • What was life in Geneva like under Calvin’s influence?
  • How does Bercot compare Geneva with Jesus’ kingdom teachings?

MCA (4 of 14): Geneva: When Puritans Ruled

This lesson looks at Puritan rule in England during the era of Oliver Cromwell. Bercot argues that even when devout religious people held power, their methods and results did not produce a kingdom society.

  • What did Puritans believe about England and Israel?
  • What happened when Puritans gained political power in England?
  • How does Bercot evaluate Cromwell’s victories and claims of divine support?
  • Why did Puritan rule alienate many English people?

MCA (5 of 14): The English Come to America

Bercot turns from European background to English settlement in America. He discusses Jamestown, tobacco, slavery, land hunger, conflict with Native peoples, and the mix of religious and economic motives behind colonization.

  • Why does Bercot say the term “Christian nation” is self-contradictory?
  • What role did tobacco play in Virginia and Maryland?
  • How did slavery become connected to the colonial economy?
  • How did English expansion affect Native peoples?

MCA (6 of 14): The Truth About Puritan New England

This lesson evaluates Puritan New England between idealized evangelical portrayals and harsh secular critiques. Bercot discusses John Winthrop’s “city upon a hill,” Massachusetts law, church life, and New England’s involvement in the rum and slave trade.

  • What did John Winthrop mean by a city upon a hill?
  • How does Bercot assess Puritan New England’s laws and liberties?
  • What were the religious and social strengths and failures of New England?
  • How was New England connected to the slave trade?

MCA (7 of 14): Causes of the American Revolution

Bercot examines the causes of the American Revolution in light of Jesus’ and the apostles’ teachings. He discusses taxes, the Navigation Acts, colonial grievances, westward expansion, and the colonists’ desire to move into Native land.

  • How should disciples of Jesus respond to unjust taxes or laws?
  • Were the Stamp Act and customs duties the real causes of the Revolution?
  • Why did the western frontier matter so much?
  • Why does Bercot say genuine discipleship would have prevented the Revolution?

MCA (8 of 14): The Real Reasons Why the Americans Won the Revolution

This lesson challenges the idea that American victory proves God was on the colonists’ side. Bercot points instead to military strategy, British misjudgments, local support, propaganda, and ordinary historical factors.

  • Does victory in war prove that God supported the winning side?
  • What was Washington’s strategy during the war?
  • Why did British strategy fail?
  • How did newspapers and public opinion affect the Revolution?

MCA (9 of 14): The Losers

Bercot focuses on those who suffered from the American victory, especially Native peoples, loyalists, and enslaved Black people. He also quotes a Christian critique of war between professing Christians.

  • Who lost because the Americans won the Revolution?
  • Why did many Native peoples side with Britain?
  • What happened to loyalists during and after the war?
  • Why does Bercot say Christianity itself was a loser in the Revolution?

MCA (10 of 14): Persecution of Kingdom Christians

This lesson describes how non-resistant kingdom Christians such as Quakers, Mennonites, and Dunkards were treated during the American Revolution. Bercot uses Pennsylvania to show the tension between religious liberty, political control, and Christian nonresistance.

  • Who does Bercot mean by kingdom Christians?
  • Why did non-resistant Christians refuse to fight in the Revolution?
  • How were Quakers and other non-resistant believers treated in Pennsylvania?
  • What does Pennsylvania teach about the possibility of a Christian nation?

MCA (11 of 14): Faith of the Founding Fathers #1

Bercot begins his review of the religious beliefs of major Founding Fathers, focusing on Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton. He describes them as conventional Christians while noting that they did not understand the two kingdoms.

  • Which Founding Fathers does Bercot classify as conventional Christians?
  • What did Samuel Adams believe about religion and public life?
  • How does Bercot assess Patrick Henry, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton?
  • Why does he distinguish conventional Christianity from kingdom Christianity?

MCA (12 of 14): Faith of the Founding Fathers #2

This lesson focuses on George Washington’s character, public conduct, church attendance, and limited statements about personal faith. Bercot presents Washington as a great man from a human standpoint but difficult to classify spiritually.

  • Why does Bercot admire George Washington from a human standpoint?
  • What evidence does he review about Washington’s church attendance?
  • Why is Washington difficult to classify spiritually?
  • What distinction does Bercot make between moral character and a relationship with Jesus Christ?

MCA (13 of 14): Faith of the Founding Fathers #3

Bercot considers John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine. He describes a range of views, including Unitarianism, deism, skepticism toward Christianity, and public appreciation for religion’s social role.

  • What did John Adams, Franklin, Madison, Jefferson, and Paine believe about religion?
  • Why does Bercot see Madison as important for the Constitution’s religious language?
  • How did Jefferson and Paine differ from conventional Christians?
  • What does Bercot conclude about the Founders seeking first the kingdom of God?

MCA (14 of 14): How God Was Written Out of the US Constitution

The final teaching lesson argues that the framers deliberately left God out of the U.S. Constitution. Bercot reviews the Constitutional Convention, the First Amendment’s wording, the Founders’ mixed religious views, and the course’s overall conclusion that America is not a Christian nation.

  • Why does Bercot say God was written out of the Constitution?
  • What does he say about the wording of the First Amendment?
  • How does this lesson summarize the whole course?
  • Can any earthly country be a Christian nation?

Survey: Myth of Christian America

This item appears to be a course survey. No transcript sample was supplied, so no teaching content can be summarized from the provided source.

  • How can students respond to the course survey?
  • What feedback may be requested after completing the course?

Additional Readings: Myth of Christian America

This item is listed as additional readings for the course. No transcript sample was supplied, so the specific readings cannot be described from the provided source.

  • Where can students find additional readings for this course?
  • What follow-up material is provided after the teaching lessons?

What students are saying

4.81 out of 5 — 21 reviews
Verified Student Dec 8, 2025
★★★★★
I thoroughly enjoyed this series of lectures. Christians must be careful what curriculum and sources they use when talking about the history of America. I highly recommend this course to anyone.
Verified Student Dec 1, 2025
★★★★★
As someone educated under the popular Protestant view of “Christian America,” this was a very instructive course.
Verified Student Jan 20, 2024
★★★★★
I appreciated the historical survey of where the initial settlers from Europe were coming from spiritually (the Reformation) and how easily they got off track in their land grabbing, treatment of the Indians, compromise in trade, use of slaves for profit and other unchristian practices. I also found the covering of the Revolution itself to enlightening, especially with such personalities as Samuel Adams and the Sons of Freedom and their use of propaganda. I think it is sad that no matter what side a person falls on, whether this being a 'christian' nation or whether this was a…
Verified Student Jan 17, 2023
★★★★☆
the third presentation abruptly stopped at 36:45 in the middle of a word. Other than that, this course is great.
Verified Student Oct 13, 2022
★★★★★
I appreciate all the time and effort that Bercot put into this course.
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The Myth of Christian America

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Course Includes

  • 16 Lessons
  • 14 Quizzes
  • Course Certificate