The idea for Church and State: Roger Williams and the Founding of Freedom of Religion grew out of a concern I couldn’t ignore—one I was seeing more frequently on social media, specifically X and from the likes of Joel Webbon and others: the rise of Christian nationalism and the confusion surrounding what it means for America to be both a nation with deep Christian influence and a country committed to religious liberty for all.

A Growing Confusion in the Church and the Public Square: Christian Nationalism and Religious Liberty

Over time, I noticed that important historical and theological distinctions were being blurred. The phrase “Christian nation” was often used without historical precision, while the concept of “separation of church and state” was just as often misunderstood or misrepresented. In many conversations, these ideas were reduced to slogans—used more to win arguments than to pursue truth.

What troubled me most was not political disagreement, but the loss of historical context. When faith becomes fused with state power, both are diminished. History shows this clearly, yet it is a lesson we seem determined to relearn the hard way.

Discovering Roger Williams and the Foundations of Religious Freedom

That concern led me back to the story of Roger Williams, a 17th-century pastor, theologian, and founder of Rhode Island. Williams was deeply Christian—far more devout than many who invoke faith in politics today—yet he argued passionately that the civil government had no authority over the human conscience.

Roger Williams believed that when the state attempts to enforce religious belief, it corrupts the church and violates the soul. His vision was not secularism, but freedom: freedom for the church to remain faithful, and freedom for individuals to worship—or not—without coercion.

This distinction is often lost in modern debates, especially within Christian nationalist frameworks that see political dominance as a means of preserving faith. Williams rejected that approach entirely.

Why Christian Nationalism Misses the Point of the Gospel and the First Amendment

Christian nationalism assumes that cultural or political control will produce spiritual faith. History tells a different story. Forced belief produces outward conformity, not genuine conviction. The early American understanding of religious liberty was not designed to marginalize Christianity, but to protect it from state corruption.

In making this documentary, I wanted to challenge the assumption that Christianity requires government enforcement to thrive. The gospel spread most powerfully when it relied on persuasion, sacrifice, and truth—not law or political force.

Making the Documentary: Recovering the True Meaning of Church and State

Church and State was created to recover historical clarity and invite thoughtful conversation. Through scholars, pastors, historians, and original sources, the film traces how Roger Williams’ ideas influenced American thought and ultimately shaped the principles later reflected in the First Amendment.

This project was not about attacking the church or endorsing a political ideology. It was about reminding viewers—especially Christians—that religious liberty is not a concession made by the state, but a conviction rooted in Christian theology itself.

An Invitation to Thoughtful Dialogue on Faith, History, and Freedom

My hope is that this documentary encourages humility, historical honesty, and a renewed appreciation for freedom of conscience. The future of faith does not depend on political power, but on faithfulness.

In an age of polarization, Church and State is an invitation to slow down, look back, and reconsider how we arrived here—and how we might move forward with both conviction and grace.

That is why I made this film.

You can watch the film below.