Today's Conversation

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, historian Dr. Mark Noll — one of the leading scholars of American Christianity — joins NAE President Walter Kim to examine the religious roots of early America. Their conversation explores a story marked by profound conviction and courage, and by contradiction.The pilgrims and Puritans brought a deep​ desire to honor God, build community and seek liberty. These values shaped our nation’s moral foundation, and they still matter today. Dr. Mark Noll and Walter Kim move beyond simplistic narratives about early America to uncover a richer and more honest account of faith’s influence on American life. In this conversation, they discuss:  What first drew Dr. Noll to the study of American religious history; Biblical examples that model the importance of telling complex, faithful stories;The connection between the pilgrims, the Puritans, the founding fathers and early understandings of religious liberty; andWhat lessons from America’s founding era can help guide