Is America a Christian Nation? | Eric Metaxas on Faith, History & the Roots of Revolution | Live Interview

June 17, 2026
00:00 01:10:25
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Is America’s extraordinary story just luck, or was it divinely orchestrated? In this powerful episode, bestselling author and cultural commentator Eric Metaxas joins for a thought-provoking live interview discussing the true origins of the United States—challenging the narratives you’ve heard and illuminating the faith-driven roots at the core of our nation’s founding.

With wit, warmth, and depth, Eric shares insights from his latest book, Revolution: The Birth of the Greatest Nation in the History of the World, examining what made the American Revolution unique among world history’s revolutions—and why its principles still matter today. You’ll hear about the pivotal influence of figures like George Washington, Samuel Adams, and George Whitefield, and how their deep belief in God’s providence shaped the course of history and the culture of self-governance we often take for granted.

Key moments not to miss:

  • The surprising spiritual groundwork of the revolution—including the influence of the Great Awakening and why, as Eric explains, “there has only been one revolution in the history of the world that ever succeeded—and that was the American Revolution”
  • A behind-the-scenes conversation about George Washington’s character, humility, and miraculous survival through the chaos of war
  • Why the Founding Fathers’ understanding of virtue and self-government offers urgent lessons for today’s political and cultural crossroads

Whether you’re a history buff, a passionate believer, or someone wrestling with where America is headed, this candid dialogue encourages us all to rediscover who we are, why our founding matters, and what it might look like to pursue national—and personal—revival.

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 America’s Christian Roots and the Founding Fathers
01:13 President Trump Endorses New Book
02:27 Why “Revolution” Isn’t Just American
03:16 The Uniqueness of the American Revolution
04:10 Returning to the Sinai Covenant: America’s Spiritual Foundation
06:17 George Whitefield and the Great Awakening’s Impact
07:33 “Our Constitution Was Made for a Moral and Religious People”
10:11 Debunking the Founding Fathers as Mere Deists
13:00 Why Washington Was Chosen: The Power of Character
15:28 The Humility of Washington vs. Ambition of His Rivals
16:46 Overlooking John Adams: Restoring a Forgotten Hero
19:56 Broadening the Revolution: Virginia’s Critical Role
22:37 Samuel Adams: The True Father of the Revolution
24:26 The Stamp Act & Seeds of American Resistance
27:17 King George III’s Blindness and the Dangers of Arrogance
33:26 Christian Nationalism vs. American Exceptionalism
35:40 Loving Jesus and Loving Country: Compatible Callings
41:02 America’s Third Existential Crisis
44:36 Cultural Confidence, Truth, and the Fight for America
46:27 Most Impactful Modern Presidents: Trump and Reagan
49:09 “Revival Is America’s Root; We Need Another”
51:27 Signs of a New Spiritual Awakening
52:24 Reaching Young Adults: Patriotism and Faith
54:06 When Did America Lose Its Christian Values?
56:16 What Separation of Church and State Truly Means
58:54 Signing the Declaration: The Founders’ Most Courageous Act
62:03 America’s Hope: Becoming a City on a Hill Again
64:15 Closing Reflections and a Prayer for America

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Meet Your Host
Greg Laurie is the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, which has campuses in California and Hawaii. He began his ministry at the age of 19, leading a small Bible study group of 30 individuals. Over the past five decades, God has grown that small group into a thriving congregation of over 8,000 members, with a global ministry that has reached billions and recorded more than one million professions of faith.

In 1990, Laurie founded the Harvest Crusades, a series of large-scale evangelistic events designed to present the gospel to broad audiences. These events have since drawn more than 11.5 million participants in person and online. In 2012, he launched Harvest America, a nationwide outreach event that utilized HD livestreaming to broadcast to thousands of venues across the United States. Collectively, these efforts have resulted in over 700,000 documented professions of faith.

A prolific author, Laurie has written over 70 books, including House of David, Billy Graham: The Man I Knew, Steve McQueen: The Salvation of an American Icon, Revelation: A Book of Promises, and Jesus Revolution.

His filmography includes Lost Boy: The Next Chapter, Hope for Hurting Hearts, Steve McQueen: American Icon, and Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon. In 2023, Greg and Cathe Laurie’s life and conversion during the Jesus Movement of the 1960s and ‘70s were depicted in the Lionsgate film Jesus Revolution, starring Kelsey Grammer and Jonathan Roumie.
Greg Laurie has been married to Cathe Laurie for over 51 years. They have two sons and five grandchildren.

Want more from Greg Laurie? Visit harvest.org

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