Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes du Mez Summary

Jesus and John Wayne explores how white American evangelicals reconceptualized Christian masculinity over the 20th century, embracing militant ideals tied to figures like John Wayne and Donald Trump. Du Mez argues this shift corrupted theological integrity, normalized patriarchal authority, and fueled evangelical support for political leaders prioritizing power over piety.

This book is essential for readers examining evangelicalism’s ties to politics, gender roles, or Christian nationalism. Historians, theologians, and activists will gain insights into how militarized masculinity and cultural conservatism reshaped modern evangelical identity.

Yes. The book received critical acclaim, including the 2021 Orwell Award, for its rigorously researched analysis of evangelicalism’s ideological evolution. It clarifies why many white evangelicals supported Trump despite his moral controversies.

Du Mez contends that white evangelicals prioritized “rugged masculinity” over biblical teachings, fostering a culture of authoritarianism, militarism, and gender hierarchy. This framework, she argues, made Trump’s brutish persona palatable as a “defender” of evangelical values.

The book traces decades of evangelical leaders equating muscular leadership with divine mandate, framing Trump as a modern “John Wayne” figure who could protect traditional values against secular threats—even if his behavior conflicted with Christian ethics.

Prominent figures include John Wayne, Billy Graham, James Dobson, Mark Driscoll, and Donald Trump. Du Mez critiques their roles in promoting hyper-masculine theology and political alliances that prioritized cultural dominance.

The term describes an evangelical ideal merging physical toughness, patriarchal authority, and militant resolve. Du Mez shows how this replaced Jesus’s pacifist teachings with a warrior ethos aligned with American nationalism.

Some evangelicals argue Du Mez overemphasizes cultural trends over doctrinal theology or oversimplifies diverse evangelical viewpoints. Others reject her linkage between toxic masculinity and systemic issues like clergy abuse.

Du Mez documents how evangelical institutions promoted strict gender binaries, framing men as “warriors” and women as submissive helpers. This ideology, she argues, enabled abuses of power and suppressed women’s leadership.

The book covers Cold War militarism, the rise of megachurches, the “Promise Keepers” movement, and 21st-century political activism. These contexts show how evangelicals intertwined faith with conservative cultural battles.

The book is cited as a key resource for understanding evangelicalism’s role in eroding church-state separation. It highlights how theological rhetoric has been weaponized for partisan agendas.

The title contrasts Jesus’s teachings with John Wayne’s hyper-masculine archetype, symbolizing evangelicalism’s shift from spiritual humility to cultural combativeness. Du Mez argues this tension defines modern evangelical identity.