Protestants and Patriots: Presbyterians in the Age of Revolution with D. G. Hart

We welcome Darryl G. Hart back to Christ the Center to discuss Protestants and Patriots: Presbyterians in the Age of Revolution, published by the University of Notre Dame Press. Hart traces the transatlantic story of Presbyterianism from the Reformation through the age of revolutions, asking why Presbyterian polity so often became a political irritant in Britain, Ireland, North America, and beyond. The conversation ranges from Calvin’s Geneva and the French Reformed connection to the Scottish Covenanters, the English civil wars, John Witherspoon, the American founding, the 1788 revision of the Westminster Confession, and contemporary debates over Christian nationalism. Along the way, Hart helps us see how questions of church government, civil authority, establishment, liberty, and public memory are bound up with the church’s confession that Christ alone is head of his church. Chapters 0:00 Introduction and the road to episode 1,0002:00 Protestants and Patriots and the Presbyterian question3:10 The project’s origins and teaching the big picture5:12 Calvin’s ecclesiastical ordinances and Presbyterian polity7:26 Was the American Revolution a Presbyterian revolution?10:12 Lumpers, splitters, and Presbyterian identity11:09 Reformed and Presbyterian: why the names matter15:01 Presbyterians, nationalism, and the godly society16:12 Covenanters, national covenanting, and regicide19:31 Geneva, exiles, and the French connection22:26 The true Presbyterian revolutionary moment: the 1630s and 1640s24:21 Why Scotland became a Presbyterian laboratory28:29 Why England and Scotland became Reformed rather than Lutheran30:52 What did Presbyterians want? Church independence and state support34:43 The Glorious Revolution, moderation, and establishment compromises39:15 Regium donum, Canada, Ireland, and voluntary giving42:34 John Witherspoon and Presbyterian moderation in the American founding48:16 Revising Westminster Confession chapter 2355:30 American Heretics, Two Sons of Oil, and anti-liberal Presbyterianism60:30 Further conversations and Protestants and Patriots65:05 Independence Hall, historic preservation, and public memory70:07 Conclusion Participants Camden BuceyDarryl G. Hart Resources mentioned Protestants and Patriots: Presbyterians in the Age of Revolution by D. G. HartUniversity of Notre Dame Press interview with D. G. HartAmerican Heretics by Jerome CopulskyTwo Sons of Oil by Samuel B. WylieIndependence National Historical ParkMentioned in this episode:Join Us In Person: Four Upcoming Reformed Forum EventsBefore today's episode, Camden Bucey shares four opportunities to gather with Reformed Forum in person over the coming months: Apologetics and Evangelism Seminar — August 4–5, 2026, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Taylors, SC. Camden Bucey and Carlton Wynne lecture on apologetics and evangelism for the pastor at the GPTS Summer Seminar. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/apologetics-and-evangelism-seminar-greenville-sc/ Discovering Christ in All of Scripture — August 28–29, 2026, Cahaba Park Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL. A Friday evening and Saturday morning seminar exploring how every part of Scripture reveals God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/birmingham-alabama-seminar/ 2026 Annual Theology Conference — September 25–26, 2026, Lakeland Church, Gurnee, IL. The Covenant of Grace: One Savior, One People, One Purpose, featuring Dr. G. K. Beale. Early-bird pricing ends August 31. Register: https://rf26.reformedforum.org/ Christ the Center 1000th Episode Celebration — February 19–20, 2027, Hilton Austin, Austin, TX. A live recording of episode 1,000, a shared dinner, and conversations with longtime friends of the ministry. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/christ-the-center-1000th-episode-celebration/ Seats are limited — register today at https://reformedforum.org/events