Earlier this week, David Barton found a publisher desperate enough and disreputable enough to publish his recent book, The Jefferson Lies. Glenn Beck's publishing company, Mercury Ink, plans to roll out a new edition.
Beck wrote the foreword to The Jefferson Lies, and Mercury Ink's announced goal is to "publish and promote books and authors that Glenn is passionate about." Mercury Ink partners with Simon & Schuster. Publishers Weekly reported that Barton in the new edition "will rephrase some things to remove any potential confusion."
One snake-oil salesman helping out another. Yep, those two deserve each other.
Well, apparently Beck didn't clear this with several of his buddies in the academic world, because some of them have doubts about the claims made in The Jefferson Lies--including one Barton actually lauds in that book.
The Jefferson Lies commends Daniel Dreisbach, an American University professor, calling him one of the few Jefferson scholars who employs a "sound historical approach," so I asked Dreisbach whether he agreed with Barton. Dreisbach replied that he has a "very hard time" accepting the notion that Jefferson was ever an orthodox Christian, or that Jefferson ever embraced Christianity's "transcendent claims."
Oops. Looks like Barton could have at least checked with Dreisbach before he gave him such lofty praise in his book.
Moreover, at least two other scholars with close ties to Beck also disagree with Barton's book. James Stoner of LSU, who is a lecturer at "Beck University" along with Barton, called Warren Throckmorton and Michael Coulter's takedown of Barton, Getting Jefferson Right, "entirely in line" with his understanding of Jefferson. Kevin Gutzman of Western Connecticut State, a frequent guest on Wallbuilders Live, says that Jefferson did not accept the Bible's "supernatural content," and therefore could not possibly have been a Christian.
So you've got three professors with Glenn Beck's seal of approval disagreeing with Barton's claims. Now that's bad, brother.