David Barton, a former Texas school principal who now writes and lectures about Christianity in American politics, has emerged as a go-to adviser to prominent conservatives seeking historical and
scriptural backing for their political positions,
The New York Times reports. Barton, a self-taught historian and ordained minister, has the ear of potential presidential candidates, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn.
Huckabee describes Barton as “maybe the greatest living historian on the spiritual nature of America’s early days.”
In the Bible and in the Founding Fathers’ own writings, the 57-year-old Barton finds ample support for advancing conservative Christian policies and opposing liberal policies in areas ranging from taxation to climate change.
He has argued that the Supreme Court completely misread Thomas Jefferson’s concept of a First Amendment “wall of separation” between church and state. He also says he has found evidence that James Madison effectively opposed taxpayer-funded industry bailouts and government stimulus spending plans.
“I keep being amazed at how much the founders wrote about the issues that we’re dealing with today,” he said.
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