Evangelical author David Barton’s “Jefferson Lies” book pulled by publisher for factual flaws
Citing a loss of confidence in the book’s details, Christian publisher Thomas Nelson is ending the publication and distribution of the bestseller, The Jefferson Lies: Exposing the Myths You’ve Always Believed About Thomas Jefferson.
The controversial book was written by Texas evangelical David Barton, who NPR’s Barbara Bradley Hagertyprofiled on All Things Considered Wednesday. The publishing company says it’s ceasing publication because it found that “basic truths just were not there.”
Since its initial publication, historians have debunked and raised concerns about numerous claims in Barton’s book. In it, Barton calls Jefferson a “conventional Christian,” claims the founding father started church services at the Capitol, and even though he owned more than 200 slaves, says Jefferson was a civil rights visionary.
“Mr. Barton is presenting a Jefferson that modern-day evangelicals could love and identify with,” Warren Throckmorton, a professor at the evangelical Grove City College, told Hagerty. “The problem with that is, it’s not a whole Jefferson; it’s not getting him right.”
The book’s publisher came to the same conclusion.
I’m waiting for cries of “BUT HIS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM!!!” and “CENSORSHIP” from the evangelical crowd.
Is this supposed to be surprising?
The surprising part to me is that it was actually pulled.
