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Book Synopsis: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
The “paradigm-influencing” book (Christianity Today) that is fundamentally transforming our understanding of white evangelicalism in America.
Jesus and John Wayne is a sweeping, revisionist history of the last seventy-five years of white evangelicalism, revealing how evangelicals have worked to replace the Jesus of the Gospels with an idol of rugged masculinity and Christian nationalism—or in the words of one modern chaplain, with “a spiritual badass.”
As acclaimed scholar Kristin Du Mez explains, the key to understanding this transformation is to recognize the centrality of popular culture in contemporary American evangelicalism. Many of today’s evangelicals might not be theologically astute, but they know their VeggieTales, they’ve read John Eldredge’s Wild at Heart, and they learned about purity before they learned about sex—and they have a silver ring to prove it. Evangelical books, films, music, clothing, and merchandise shape the beliefs of millions. And evangelical culture is teeming with muscular heroes—mythical warriors and rugged soldiers, men like Oliver North, Ronald Reagan, Mel Gibson, and the Duck Dynasty clan, who assert white masculine power in defense of “Christian America.” Chief among these evangelical legends is John Wayne, an icon of a lost time when men were uncowed by political correctness, unafraid to tell it like it was, and did what needed to be done.
Challenging the commonly held assumption that the “moral majority” backed Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020 for purely pragmatic reasons, Du Mez reveals that Trump in fact represented the fulfillment, rather than the betrayal, of white evangelicals’ most deeply held values: patriarchy, authoritarian rule, aggressive foreign policy, fear of Islam, ambivalence toward #MeToo, and opposition to Black Lives Matter and the LGBTQ community. A much-needed reexamination of perhaps the most influential subculture in this country, Jesus and John Wayne shows that, far from adhering to biblical principles, modern white evangelicals have utterly remade their faith, with enduring consequences for all Americans. 15 black-and-white illustrations
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Transform Your Understanding of White Evangelicalism With "Jesus and John Wayne" Book
Discover the paradigm-shifting insights of "Jesus and John Wayne," the New York Times bestseller that will challenge your perception of white evangelicalism in America. Uncover the truth about how evangelicals have veered away from the teachings of Jesus in favor of a distorted blend of rugged masculinity and Christian nationalism. This highly acclaimed book by scholar Kristin Du Mez delves into the influence of popular culture on contemporary American evangelicalism, revealing the profound impact of books, films, music, clothing, and merchandise in shaping the beliefs of millions.
Experience a comprehensive history spanning the last seventy-five years as you journey through the rise of mythical heroes and rugged soldiers who embody white masculine power. From Oliver North to Ronald Reagan, Mel Gibson to the Duck Dynasty clan, these cultural icons have ingrained themselves in the evangelical narrative as defenders of "Christian America." Dive into the captivating exploration of evangelicals' fascination with figures like John Wayne, who epitomized an era characterized by unapologetic candor and an unwavering commitment to doing what's right.
Contrary to popular belief, Du Mez exposes the true motivations behind white evangelicals' unwavering support for Donald Trump. Rather than a pragmatic choice as part of the "moral majority," Trump represented the embodiment of deeply ingrained values such as patriarchy, authoritarian rule, aggressive foreign policy, and fear of Islam. Du Mez fearlessly addresses important topics such as the evangelical community's ambivalence toward #MeToo, opposition to Black Lives Matter, and LGBTQ rights.
Don't miss your chance to engage with this vital reexamination of one of America's most influential subcultures. "Jesus and John Wayne" demonstrates that modern white evangelicals have strayed far from biblical principles, and the consequences of this transformation affect all Americans. Order your copy today and gain new insights into the intersection of faith, culture, and politics in America.
Order "Jesus and John Wayne" now to embark on a thought-provoking journey that will reshape your understanding of white evangelicalism and its impact on our nation.
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