Jesus and John Wayne- How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes Du Mez
Product details
Web ID: 16837014A first draft of evangelicalism's recent history
This history describes how evangelical culture and its attitudes about masculinity have shaped white Christianity and American politics. In so doing, it tries to describe why evangelical Christians, supposedly the among the most devout and religious, have chosen to support a politician who is anything but devout and resembling the Bible’s Jesus. Frankly, Kristin Kobes du Mez, a minister’s daughter, does an honest, thorough job. The evangelicalism she describes is wedded more closely to patriarchy than the Christian tradition. How readers respond to her critique will tell more about themselves than her, I suggest. I came from a home where evangelicalism was foundational in my parent’s marriage. As a youth, I read widely, but no one seemed to care what I thought or how I struggled so long as I supported an evangelical church. Looking to the Bible for guidance on how to live, I found its contents out of sync with the dynamics of my Southern Baptist church. For a while, I tried to support nontraditional churches on the fringe of evangelicalism that incorporated thought from wider society. I love reading historical, orthodox Christian theology, but again, find it out of sync with contemporary evangelical trends. In late 2015, I was appalled when trends in my former church overtook the national news. Today, I confess a Christian creed and value its Good News, but no longer consider myself an evangelical. I’m not sure I can trust the movement ever again. Thus, this book helped me come to terms with my personal struggles. For me, this book reinforced and deepened many longstanding reservations about the movement. I’m more scholarly by nature, and the militant masculinity described here simply does not fit me culturally. I’ve always been the intellectual oddball in evangelical churches, and I’ve grown to believe that’s their problem, not mine. She describes how so many evangelical leaders in recent decades appeal to their masculine identity for authority. Despite appealing to “family values,” their actions do not support family members. Deep tribalism causes people to overlook or excuse others’ faults and prevent reform. Latent racism can make white evangelicals offensive and insulting to black Christians. Obviously, this book has been and remains controversial. It’s also religious, so opinions will abound. I suggest it continues to deserve a fair hearing. I tired of reading so much history about toxic masculinity, but I think that’s the point. We need to move on from harmful attempts to control and dominate each other. This book gives us much to think about in the form of a fact-driven history. Many histories of evangelicalism stop somewhere in the 1980s or 1990s. Kobes du Mez brings us right up to the first Trump administration. Although historians will undoubtedly rewrite that narrative in coming decades, her first draft more than supplements the newspapers as a first draft.
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Some important questions answered
Wow. This book was an enlightening history lesson and helped me answer questions that were consuming my thoughts. As a Christian, I was having a hard time understanding other Christians who embrace ‘the ends justify the means’ mentality including members of my immediate family. This book went above and beyond my expectations and did in fact answer a lot of my questions. I applaud Kristin and her team for the courage to publish this book for answer seekers like me and hopefully anyone else who wants a deeper dive into evangelical history. There is more to this story and I hope there will be a follow-up book in the future. As for now, I hope one of my family members will read this book that I purchased for them. Knowledge is power. Thanks.
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
I learned a lot from this book!
Okay, okay, don't @ me just yet... I have struggled big-time on whether or not to post this review. I read it nearly a year ago and just didn't want to raise a ruckus. But don't unfollow me just yet... please hear me out... I will be the first to admit, the title is REALLY off-putting, and honestly, quite rude. I have absolutely NOTHING against Evangelicals. I am a Christian myself, and respect ALL denominations and religions. Your journey with your maker is just that, YOUR JOURNEY! So you won't find any judgment here. To that end, do I feel like the author could have reached a wider audience with a different title? Absolutely. So, please know that I too, find the title offensive. Next up, the historical facts. I learned A LOT from this book about things that can not be denied - events in our history that actually happened. That was the most fascinating part for me. Is there other content in here that could be refuted? Absolutely. Some of it is objective, and Trump supporters will disagree with much of this novel - I'll just warn you now. HOWEVER, if you are open to trying to understand ALL sides, and if you are willing to put aside any pre-conceived political notions, this book is truly fascinating. I had no idea about half of the historical facts that I actually lived through but was honestly too young to understand. I could see how much of this came to pass, and I now understand how and why Trump came to office. That is all I will say about that. I'm not trying to start any political discussions. I do not want any controversy. I just think that with an incredibly important vote coming up in less than a month, it is important to know ALL sides! Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk!
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
"And Jesus wept..."
Frightening, but a must read for anyone who cares about the Christian Church and the USA. The writing, the research, the honesty -- the author is superb, and writing in the context of her own fine conservative evangelical college she is brave to take on the horrific things that have happened to so much of her national church; and thanks to her unusual but wise comparison with the common American image of John Wayne she has created a must read for intelligent common sense people -- not the fear and hate mongers so unfortunately rampant these days. Don't miss this important read; but be prepared to weep, with Jesus.
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com