Resources:
Christian Heritage
Find Focus on the Family broadcasts, best-in-class books,
referral recommendations, and more.
7 Men and the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas
Metaxas brings to life the stories of seven men who positively impacted the world: George Washington, William Wilberforce, Eric Liddell, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Jackie Robinson, Pope John Paul II, and Charles Colson.
7 Women and the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas
Learn the struggles and significant contributions of seven women: Joan of Arc, Susanna Wesley, Hannah More, Saint Maria of Paris, Corrie ten Boom, Rosa Parks, and Mother Teresa.
Abraham Lincoln: A Man of Faith, Courage, and Integrity by Joe Wheeler
Wheeler weaves his own narrative with quotes from Lincoln and excerpts from other biographers to share about the president’s life, faith, and courage.
America the Beautiful by Ben Carson, M.D. (not currently available through Focus on the Family)
“Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great”—Carson offers a fresh perspective on our country’s Judeo-Christian heritage. He discusses our educational system, capitalism versus socialism, healthcare, and more.
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas
Metaxas writes of Bonhoeffer’s life as a theologian and a spy to tell his story of moral courage in the face of overwhelming atrocities.
The Confessions of St. Augustine by Saint Augustine
“Most of Augustine’s Confessions are spent in a nearly catastrophic tug of war. From insult and injury to passion, lost love, and the arts—this work leads through and beyond a world where God’s timing is absolutely perfect. Nothing has really changed since then. Sin is still sin—and God is still God.”
For You They Signed: The Spiritual Heritage of Those Who Shaped Our Nation by Marilyn Boyer
The men who signed the Declaration of Independence risked everything to shape our modern United States of America—but we’ve largely forgotten them. Learn about the lives of the 56 signers through Boyer’s biographical sketches.
Foxe’s Book of Martyrs edited by W. Grinton Berry
Foxe, who fled England during Queen Mary’s persecution of Reformed believers, chronicles stories of others who faced torture and martyrdom instead of denying Christ.
From Sea to Shining Sea: 1787–1837 by Peter Marshall and David Manuel
The authors make the case that America’s future was threatened by greed, pride, and self-righteousness—but God raised up leaders to shape our country and character.
How Christianity Changed the World by Alvin Schmidt
“This book is both a helpful apologetic tool in talking with unbelievers and a source of evidence for why Christianity deserves credit for many of the humane, social, scientific, and cultural advances in the Western world in the last two thousand years.”
How Now Shall We Live? by Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey
With true, inspiring stories of faith in action, Colson and Pearcey encourage readers to present the Gospel in a way that will capture the hearts and minds of a culture entrenched in the lies of relativism and self.
If You Can Keep It by Eric Metaxas
“The Forgotten Promise of American Liberty”
The Legacy of a Couple: Ruth & Billy Graham by Hanspeter Nuesch
This biography explores the devotion of Ruth and Billy Graham to the Lord and to each other, focusing on faith, partnership, authenticity, humility, intimacy, integrity, grace, global responsibility, and more.
Letters of John Newton by John Newton
Newton (1725–1807) wrote for his epitaph, “Once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, by the rich mercy of Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long laboured to destroy.” This is a collection of his personal correspondence.
The Life of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, 1899–1981 by Iain H. Murray
A condensed version of Lloyd-Jones’ books The First Forty Years and The Fight for Faith, this volume also offers insight into “a thoroughly humble man. He was a man of prayer, a powerful evangelist, … in the fullest sense a servant of the Word of God.”
The Light and the Glory: 1492–1793 by Peter Marshall and David Manuel
Chronicling the great American experiment, Marshall and Manuel trace events from Columbus’ journey through George Washington’s presidency to reveal the central role that Christianity played in our nation’s founding.
Martin Luther by Eric Metaxas
“The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World”
The One Year Book of Christian History by Michael and Sharon O. Rusten
This one-year daily devotional looks at the events of faith that have changed the course of the world. Understand how God has carried out His unchanging plan and purpose throughout Church history.
A Short Life of Jonathan Edwards by George Marsden
Marsden offers an approachable biography of Edwards (1703-1758)—theologian, pastor, missionary, college president, husband, and father of eleven.
The Triumph of Christianity by Rodney Stark
“How the Jesus Movement Became the World’s Largest Religion”
Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity by Mark Noll
Noll explores fourteen critical moments that help frame Christianity’s journey through the centuries.
Adventures in Odyssey®: For God & Country (Focus on the Family)
Join Paul Revere on his midnight ride, meet President Abraham Lincoln as the nation is being torn in two, escape with runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad, and learn how “The Star-Spangled Banner” was composed.
America’s Strong Foundation (Pastor Tommy Nelson)
Nelson presents a fascinating outline of America’s history from its beginnings to the present day, describing how our nation has veered from the biblical principles of its founding.
Aspiring to Be a Hero: Lessons of Great Men and Women (Eric Metaxas)
Metaxas shares from 7 Women and 7 Men about the hardships heroic men and women faced—individuals such as Corrie ten Boom and Eric Liddell. They faithfully battled adversity to positively impact the world.
The Bible in the Fabric of Society (Steve Green)
Chairman of the Board for the Museum of the Bible, Green discusses the immeasurable influence the Bible has had on society and the amazing biblical artifacts that are on display at the museum in Washington, D.C.
C.S. Lewis: The Heart Behind Mere Christianity (Douglas Gresham, Paul McCusker)
Gresham shares of growing up with the influence of his stepfather, C.S. Lewis. He and McCusker also discuss the production of C.S. Lewis at War, an 8-CD set of Focus on the Family’s Radio Theatre, as well as Paul’s book C.S. Lewis & Mere Christianity.
A Fascinating Journey Through America’s Past (Dave Stotts)
Stotts, host of the Drive Thru History DVD series, talks about his passion for American history and the importance of preserving the messages of faith and freedom established by the Founding Fathers.
The Founding of America (David Barton)
Learn about the faith-filled backgrounds of some of the members of the Constitutional Convention—and how the portrayal of America’s history affects current public policy decisions.
How Martin Luther Changed the World (Eric Metaxas)
Metaxas notes that many of the freedoms of religion we enjoy today are a direct result of Martin Luther’s passion to see corruption removed from the Church and allow people into a personal relationship with God.
How the Early Church Changed Culture (Ray Vander Laan)
Vander Laan talks about the impact of the early church. They represented Christ in a hostile culture and served their fellow man—not just knowing the right thing to do according to God’s Word (orthodoxy), but also doing the work of the Gospel (orthopraxy). Vander Laan encourages believers to return to that model.
Keeping the Promise of American Liberty (Eric Metaxas)
Metaxas encourages listeners to re-ignite their passion for America. He talks about the nation’s inspirational beginning; why the Founding Fathers viewed faith, virtue, and freedom so highly; and the importance of remembrance and rituals in our communities.
Learning From History’s Great Men and Women (Eric Metaxas)
Metaxas emphasizes the great obstacles, trials of faith, and hardships that some of history’s heroic men and women faced—and how they were able to overcome difficulty and positively influence the world.
Learning to Love America Again (Eric Metaxas)
Metaxas discusses the importance of acknowledging both the mistakes and successes in our nation’s history. He encourages us to understand America’s heritage, and to pass that knowledge on to our children.
Putting Your Faith into Action (Charles Colson)
If today’s believers would engage the culture the way the early church did, Colson believes our nation could be transformed. He discusses the importance of Christian orthodoxy and orthopraxy, the influence the church has historically had on society, and the responsibility of believers to stand up for their faith in the public arena. implementing more laws won’t fix our problems.
Drive Thru History hosted by Dave Stotts (ages 12-18) (available through many local and online retailers if not carried by Focus on the Family)
This fast-paced series takes viewers on tours through historical sites to bring history to life and set it in the context of a Christian worldview.
Drive Thru History
- Rome If You Want To
- Greece and the Word
- Turkish Delight
- East Meets West
Drive Thru History: American History
- America: Foundations of Character
- Columbus, the Pilgrims, and Early Boston
- Patriots, Penn, and the Freedom Trail
- New York, New Jersey, and Washington’s Warriors
- Soldiers, Jamestown, and Heroes of Virginia
Drive Thru History: Holy Land
That the World May Know® by Ray Vander Laan (Focus on the Family)
Vander Laan weaves together the Bible’s historical, cultural, religious, and geographical contexts. He offers insights into Scripture’s significance for believers today.
- Promised Land
- Prophets and Kings
- Life and Ministry of the Messiah
- Death and Resurrection of the Messiah
- The Early Church
- In the Dust of the Rabbi
- Walk As Jesus Walked
- God Heard Their Cry
- Fire on the Mountain
- With All Your Heart
- The Path to the Cross
- Walking With God in the Desert
- Israel’s Mission
- The Mission of Jesus
- A Clash of Kingdoms
- Cultures in Conflict
Focus on the Family Counseling Consultation Line
If you need someone to talk to, Focus on the Family offers a free phone counseling consultation with a licensed or pastoral counselor. Call 1-855-771-HELP (4357), Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM (MT).
Focus on the Family’s Christian Counselor Network
Search for licensed Christian counselors in your area.
American Values
This non-profit organization shares the vision of liberty from our Founding Fathers. They seek to remind Americans of that vision and unite public support behind conservative principles.
The Foundation for American Christian Education
This organization researches, documents, and publishes materials on America’s Christian history and government.
Jefferson Center for Character Education (Passkeys Foundation)
This foundation offers materials that can be used in public, private, and home-school education for students of all ages.
Plymouth Rock Foundation
This organization seeks to preserve and share the rich Christian heritage of the United States.
Providence Foundation
This ministry trains pastors and lay leaders by offering presentations, seminars, historical tours, and summer courses.
WallBuilders
This ministry is dedicated to rebuilding God’s principles in public affairs, and they offer a number of resources.
World History Institute
This institute is dedicated to teaching America’s Christian heritage.
