This book by Kristin Kobes du Mez tells the story of how white evangelicals in America have corrupted their faith and fractured our nation. It covers key figures and events from the early days of evangelicalism to the present, showing how conservative Christians have repeatedly worked to exclude people from Christianity and politics based on skin color or sexual orientation.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for people who are interested in American history, and more specifically, the role that white evangelicals have played in it. It provides an in-depth look at how this group of Christians has evolved over time, and explores some of the negative consequences of their influence.
Pros :
- Du Mez provides a well-researched and nuanced account of the evangelical white nationalist movement in America.
- She brings to light the stories of people who have been marginalized by conservative Christianity, including LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color.
- The book is thoroughly researched and engagingly written.
Cons :
- It is dense and at times difficult to read.
- It’s not necessarily a lighthearted read.
- There is a lot of information packed into its pages.
Learn more about the author
Kristin Kobes Du Mez is an associate professor of history at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her teaching and research interests include the history of Christianity in America, religious liberty, and American evangelicalism.
Reader Reviews
“In her important new book, Jesus and John Wayne, Kristin Kobes du Mez takes on the complex and controversial history of white evangelicalism in America. With grace and precision, she traces the origins of this movement to its current moment of political power. Du Mez never shies away from difficult questions, but offers readers a clear-eyed view of the past that is sure to help us make sense of our present.”
“Kristin Kobes du Mez has written an important and timely book about the troubling intersection of white evangelicalism and American politics. In Jesus and John Wayne, she exposes how conservative Christians have used their power to exclude people from Christianity and public life based on skin color or sexual orientation. This engaging history reveals the damaging legacy of white evangelicals’ efforts to ‘save America.’ Anyone interested in understanding contemporary debates around race, religion, and sexuality will find much to contemplate in du Mez’s insightful analysis.”
“An excellent and important book. Du Mez tells the story of how white evangelicals have used their power to corrupt Christianity and fracture our nation. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the current state of American politics.”
“Kristin Kobes du Mez has written an important, insightful book on the history of white evangelicalism in America. Her analysis is perceptive and her prose engaging. This timely work could not be more relevant given the current state of our nation.”
