Scan barcode
slflorence99's review
4.0
I might have to come back and add to this review once I've processed it all and talked through my thoughts with friends. While I've definitely been touched by Evangelicalism, I'm just super relieved that I was raised by moderate, reasonable parents who weren't (even on staff of a SBC church), and still aren't, caught up in the nonsense described in this book. It was just one cringe after another, and at times quite infuriating. I do wish more of the moderate leaders were mentioned just to give them a shout out for not being crazy. #russelldilday #swbtspreschoolgrad
kcrouth's review against another edition
5.0
"Jesus and John Wayne" is probably one of the most important books I've read in the past few years. To borrow an over-used adjective, this book is a MUST-READ for anyone currently or previously involved, even peripherally involved, in the evangelical church and culture. This is a concise overview into the behind the scenes people and policies which have led us to what the evangelical movement is in the U.S. today. It is ESPECIALLY important for all church leaders, both clergy and lay leaders, to have this information. It will have a profoundly powerful impact on the church and the evangelical movement if this information is known, dealt with, and informs decisions and actions going forward. READ THIS BOOK!!!
oisinthewizard's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
A medium paced text tracing the rise and merge of patriarchal, militarized white Evangelicalism and patriarchal, militarized white patriotism into part of what is playing out on the USA national stage in the 2020s.
While I am white and was raised Christian in the United States, I found the cowboy Christianity to be unfamiliar and fairly disturbing. There was not anything particularly new to me, but it was well organized and presented in the form of a coherent, thoughtful narrative. I appreciate the start of the narrative in the 20th century - Teddy Roosevelt is a fresh anchoring point over Ronald Reagan - and the easy flow to the 21st century with Donald Trump in the White House. I also appreciate the continued highlight of secular, charismatic (but not particular religiously-behaved or theologically educated) white men as the center of the apparently religious movement and culture.
While the book is already lengthy, I would have appreciated more information about other, parallel social movements, if not to contrast the John Wayne Christianity (although that would have been a great addition), at least to show how other aspects of the broader American cultures responded (and continue to respond) to this particular thread of cultural development. Some aspects of the book were treated as almost inevitable, particular in responses to US involvement in foreign military conflict, and the United States culture has not been monolithic in response to our actions overseas. Even within white Christianity (much less other Christianities and other religions and non-religious cultures), there have been both theological and popular social resistances to militarism, nationalism, patriarchalism, individualism, purity culture, etc Most of that is admittedly outside of the sphere of this text, but I might seek out such a text as a companion read.
While I am white and was raised Christian in the United States, I found the cowboy Christianity to be unfamiliar and fairly disturbing. There was not anything particularly new to me, but it was well organized and presented in the form of a coherent, thoughtful narrative. I appreciate the start of the narrative in the 20th century - Teddy Roosevelt is a fresh anchoring point over Ronald Reagan - and the easy flow to the 21st century with Donald Trump in the White House. I also appreciate the continued highlight of secular, charismatic (but not particular religiously-behaved or theologically educated) white men as the center of the apparently religious movement and culture.
While the book is already lengthy, I would have appreciated more information about other, parallel social movements, if not to contrast the John Wayne Christianity (although that would have been a great addition), at least to show how other aspects of the broader American cultures responded (and continue to respond) to this particular thread of cultural development. Some aspects of the book were treated as almost inevitable, particular in responses to US involvement in foreign military conflict, and the United States culture has not been monolithic in response to our actions overseas. Even within white Christianity (much less other Christianities and other religions and non-religious cultures), there have been both theological and popular social resistances to militarism, nationalism, patriarchalism, individualism, purity culture, etc Most of that is admittedly outside of the sphere of this text, but I might seek out such a text as a companion read.
unphilosophize's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.0
This book was a really great overview of the rise of evangelicals in the states and their influence on the Republican Party.
I found the authors critic of the patriarch to be very interesting.
The only major flaw I found with the book is that it talked about some conflicts as a given. I am pretty well versed on Vietnam, Korea, Afghanistan, and the second gulf war, but didn’t really have enough information about the first gulf war to understand what was going on.
I found the authors critic of the patriarch to be very interesting.
The only major flaw I found with the book is that it talked about some conflicts as a given. I am pretty well versed on Vietnam, Korea, Afghanistan, and the second gulf war, but didn’t really have enough information about the first gulf war to understand what was going on.