One State Under God: Joseph Locke on the History of Religion in Texas

Historian Joseph L. Locke joins Faithful Politics to discuss his new book, One State Under God: A History of Religion in Texas.

Locke traces how religion shaped Texas from Indigenous traditions and Spanish missions to Protestant growth, segregation, the Religious Right, and today’s Christian nationalist politics. He also explains why early Texas Protestants strongly defended church-state separation, how that changed over time, and why figures like James Robison and David Barton became so influential.

The conversation offers a broader look at how Texas became a major force in the national relationship between religion and politics.


About Joseph L. Locke

Joseph L. Locke is an associate professor of American history at the University of North Texas. His work focuses on Texas, the American South, and the development of religion and politics in the United States. He is also a co-creator and editor of The American Yawp.

Book: One State Under God: A History of Religion in Texas: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781477334201