Matthew Sutton on How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity

What does it mean to call America a “Christian nation”? And has it ever truly been one?

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Avery Sutton, historian and author of Chosen Land, to unpack the long and complicated relationship between Christianity and American public life. From Christopher Columbus and biblical prophecy to premillennialism, evangelical political power, and the modern Supreme Court, Sutton traces the historical through line of Christian influence in the United States. We explore why America became more religious — not less — after disestablishment, how an unofficial Protestant establishment shaped public life, and why separation of church and state did not secularize the country. We also discuss the role of capitalism and corporate funding in shaping both the religious right and the religious left, the theological roots of political activism, and how beliefs about the end times influenced public engagement.

Finally, we examine three emerging coalitions competing to define America’s future: Christian nationalist conservatives, progressive pluralists who bring faith into the public square, and strict separationists who want religion kept out of politics. This conversation isn’t just about what America was — it’s about what kind of country we want to be moving forward.

Buy Chosen LandHow Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity

Guest Bio

Matt Avery Sutton is a distinguished professor and chair of the Department of History at Washington State University. He earned his PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

He is the author of multiple books, including:

Chosen Land

American Apocalypse

His work focuses on the intersection of religion, politics, and American culture, with particular attention to evangelicalism and apocalyptic belief.