San Francisco Review of Books: Book Review: 'Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation' by Kristin Kobes Du Mez

Introduction

Book Review: Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez ...

Usually, I will stay away from books on religion. Everyone’s passions overtake their judgment, facts are few, fleeting, and ignored, and no minds are changed in the reading. But the pop culture intersection of American politics and American evangelicalism proved tempting, and thankfully, most worthwhile. For a title like Jesus and John Wayne, I broke my rule.

The Evolution of American Evangelicalism

Kristin Kobes Du Mez, in her book 'Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation', examines the evolution of American evangelicalism and its political effects. She provides a comprehensive study of the top personalities and turning points in a fast-moving, stomach-churning history that ultimately explains how America adopted Donald Trump.

The Role Models of Evangelicals

Putting John Wayne and Jesus Christ in the same box may seem strange. Wayne's personal life and beliefs do not align with traditional Christian teachings. However, Du Mez argues that evangelicals have long embraced flawed and un-Christian characters as their heroes. They admire the qualities of being strong, independent, and unafraid to take matters into their own hands, which they attribute to both Wayne and Jesus.

Elections and Evangelical Criteria

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Evangelicals have specific criteria when choosing a leader. They believe in the patriarchy, where men rule and women are submissive. They prefer a warrior-king who is loud, bold, and unafraid. These criteria influenced their support for Donald Trump, who embodied these qualities, over other candidates who did not fit their description. The evangelical community votes en bloc, with over 80% supporting Trump in the 2016 election.

White Supremacy and Evangelicalism

Another aspect of evangelicalism explored by Du Mez is its connection to white supremacy. The desire for stability and order within the patriarchy leads evangelicals to oppose anything that dilutes the power of white men. This includes strict immigration policies and supporting a strong military presence. Evangelicals believe that Jesus himself was a warrior, which has resulted in their active recruitment of military personnel.

The Cost of Evangelicalism

While evangelicals claim to uphold family values and conservative ideals, Du Mez reveals their sexual hypocrisy and financial exploitation. Many well-known evangelists have been involved in sex scandals, blaming the victims or denying their own wrongdoings. These evangelists have built massive multimedia empires that generate substantial profits. They lobby government and push their religious agenda, despite claims of limited government involvement.

A Cult-Like Following

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'Jesus and John Wayne' presents evangelicalism as a cult-like following that distorts Christianity to fit its needs. The patriarchy, submission of women, and glorification of violence are just some of the troubling aspects explored by Du Mez. The book sheds light on the abuse and manipulation that occurs within evangelical communities, perpetuated by their leaders.

Conclusion

'Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation' exposes the dark side of American evangelicalism. Despite its troubling aspects, evangelicalism has managed to maintain a significant following, with its leaders amassing wealth and influence. It is a sobering reflection on the state of modern Christianity.

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