It is precisely this line of thinking that has led to the creation and institutionalization of the Moral Majority and hard lined divisions of “us vs. (Hint: “American” and “Christian” are not interchangeable, and America is not “God’s country.”) Those who live by the phrase “God, Family, Country,” could easily become defensive, especially if one’s primary identity comes from being an American compared to being a Christian. Through a historical account, Kobes du Mez highlights how Donald Trump is not an exception to Christianity, but merely the newest leader to embody the traits white evangelicals have always upheld to be “Christian.” Rather than being an anomaly, Trump simply follows a long line of predominantly white male leaders who have risen to power through substituting the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels for ultimate earthly authority.

Instead of the Jesus revealed in Scripture, American Evangelicals have formed a Jesus who looks and acts a lot more like John Wayne-the rugged individual, ready to take on “the bad guys” with guns and swagger, with an inherent duty to fight and take what rightfully belongs to us (to advance the kingdom of God, of course). This includes trading Biblical truths for mass propagation of Christian “culture”–a culture of traditional, white, male headship that “saves” all who are willing to fall in line under their God-ordained power. The author unpacks how white dominance and colonialism has driven the proliferation of Christianity in service of those who are already in power and who are hungry for more. This exposes the unlikely marriage of American dominance (MAGA) with humble Christian faith.

While the USA faces a highly divided presidential election with attacks and sharply drawn lines, some have resorted to a favorite issue galvanizing them without considering other factors that could temper their passionate conviction.įor Evangelicals in America, some wonder how a follower of Jesus could actually support the incumbent president, while others can’t imagine anything but supporting this president for at least another four years.įor those who wonder, “How did we get to this point?” Kobes du Mez masterfully examines a seventy-five year history of evangelicalism in the United States, identifying the moments that coalesced to further empower and embolden white male dominance while casting aside the teachings of Scripture. Jesus and John Wayne fits the “must read” category for those open to having the idea of American Christianity tested by the Jesus portrayed in the Gospels.

Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted A Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes du Mez.

Book review jesus and john wayne