Providence or Secularism? Steven Smith on America’s Constitutional Soul

Why doesn’t the U.S. Constitution mention God—and what does that silence mean?

Steven Smith, one of the nation’s foremost legal scholars on law and religion, joins Will and Josh to unpack the complex—and often misunderstood—relationship between the Constitution, religious liberty, and American identity. His new book, The Godless Constitution and the Providential Republic, argues that while the Constitution omits references to God, the nation’s political life has long been shaped by a providential worldview.

Together, they explore landmark court cases like Engel v. Vitale and Kennedy v. Bremerton, the shift toward secular governance in the 1960s, and the ongoing culture war over Christian nationalism. Smith challenges both theocracy and militant secularism, offering a third path: a framework rooted in institutional church-state separation that preserves space for pluralism and public faith expression.

If you’ve ever wondered whether America is—or was ever meant to be—a “Christian nation,” this conversation offers clarity, nuance, and constitutional insight.

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👤 Guest Bio:

Steven D. Smith is a retired law professor from the University of San Diego and one of the country’s leading scholars on law and religion. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has written extensively on the First Amendment, church-state relations, and constitutional interpretation. His latest book is The Godless Constitution and the Providential Republic.

🔗 Resource Links:

The Godless Constitution and the Providential Republic