Doubting Thomas

“In this honest and thorough examination of Thomas Jefferson’s public and private life, authors Beliles and Newcombe make a strong and persuasive case that in his critical younger years---when he drafted the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia bill for religious freedom---Jefferson was a practicing orthodox Christian. Painstakingly researched and written, the authors refute those scholars who would superimpose Jefferson’s later doubts about core Christian doctrines in support of their views that religion must be separated from politics. To the contrary, as Beliles and Newscombe ably contend, Jefferson’s contribution to the Declaration and the Virginia statute for religious freedom evidences the work of a Christian statesman whatever his personal belief may have been about the redemptive work of Christ at the cross. Any one who wants to know Jefferson’s real contribution to religious liberty ought to read this book.” --- Herb Titus, Founding Dean, College of Law and Government, Regent University (1986-1993)

"The Bible’s first book, Genesis, is devoted to recounting the lives of Israel’s founding fathers. Any healthy nation and robust culture remembers its founders with fond admiration. Willfully corroding the history of its founders is a sign of a culture’s impending extinction. To our enormous appreciation, Beliles and Newcombe compellingly correct our recollection of Thomas Jefferson. A grateful nation will thank them.” --- Rabbi Daniel Lapin-American Alliance of Jews and Christians.

“Doubting Thomas is a must read book regarding one of the most frequently discussed and often misunderstood Founding Fathers of the American experiment. This book is a refreshing analysis of the faith journey of Thomas Jefferson, and the reader will find particularly helpful how the book puts Jefferson’s evolving views of God and religion in historical context. A quote from the later years of Jefferson cannot be used to fully explain his views at earlier times and vice versa. What is critically important is the fact that at the time of Jefferson’s life when he had the most direct impact on the founding of America and some of its organic documents, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom, Jefferson was a faithful churchman in the Anglican Church. The Jefferson that groups like the ACLU often present is not the Jefferson of history. This book deals openly and honestly with one of America’s key Founding Fathers. Doubting Thomas is no doubt be one of the most important books on the faith of Thomas Jefferson.” --- Mathew D. Staver, Founder and Chairman, Liberty Counsel

“A must read regarding one of our most commonly misunderstood Founders: Thomas Jefferson. While Jefferson's life and writings are used to create the “wall of separation” between church and state, the historical truth is far more complicated. This book takes you on a fascinating journey into the mind and life of man whose ideas regarding government, faith, and liberty are still impacting our culture today. Thoroughly documented and well-written, I gladly endorse this fascinating examination of our Third President. An important book for our generation to better understand the Jeffersonian balance between God and government.” --- Attorney David C. Gibbs III, President & General Counsel, National Center for Life and Liberty

“Dr. Mark Beliles and Dr. Jerry Newcombe are preeminent researchers who have uncovered priceless treasures of America’s heritage long buried beneath generations of complacency and ideological drift. Newcombe and Beliles’ classic work, Doubting Thomas, is destined to be THE authoritative treatise on Jefferson’s many faceted beliefs. They honestly portray Jefferson’s journey of faith though its ever-evolving nuances during a time when the world was going through unprecedented political changes. Jefferson was a brilliant leader who had profound influence on America at its most formative period. By understanding Jefferson and his faith, we gain a clearer understanding of the foundations of our freedoms, and possibly discover keys to preserving them. I highly applaud and wholeheartedly recommend every American read Dr. Mark Beliles and Dr. Jerry Newcombe’s book, Doubting Thomas.” --- William J. Federer, Bestselling Author and Speaker

“Fascinating, well researched, and wonderfully nuanced, Doubting Thomas pulls back the curtain and exposes the myths about this brilliant and controversial man of fascinating faith who helped birth America, write the Declaration of Independence, and shape the way Americans think about Church and State. This is a must read for anyone who wants the real story of Thomas Jefferson." --- Kirk Cameron, Actor, Host

“Christian values influenced our government for the first 160 years of our nation’s history until a misreading of Thomas Jefferson on the subject of the separation of church and state. That’s why I’m please to recommend this new book, Doubting Thomas? which helps set the record straight. Although Thomas Jefferson was no evangelical Christian, he was certainly far from the ACLU’s version of Jefferson portrayed today as this book so aptly demonstrates.” --- Dr Robert Jeffress, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dallas