Jesus and John Wayne Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Q: What is *Jesus and John Wayne* by Kristin Kobes Du Mez about?

*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.

Jesus and John Wayne

Kristin Kobes du Mez

4.26 (37186 Reviews)

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How did rugged masculinity and militant Christianity lead to Trump? This New York Times bestseller reveals how white evangelicalism traded Jesus for John Wayne, sparking controversy and earning praise as "paradigm-influencing" by Christianity Today. A shocking expose of faith corrupted by power.

What is Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez about?

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.

Who should read Jesus and John Wayne?

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.

Is Jesus and John Wayne worth reading?

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.

What are the main arguments in Jesus and John Wayne?

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.

How does Jesus and John Wayne explain evangelical support for Donald Trump?

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.

What key figures does Du Mez analyze in Jesus and John Wayne?

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.

How does Jesus and John Wayne define “rugged masculinity”?

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.

What criticisms has Jesus and John Wayne faced?

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.

How does Jesus and John Wayne address evangelical gender roles?

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.

What historical events does Jesus and John Wayne highlight?

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.

How has Jesus and John Wayne influenced discussions about Christian nationalism?

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.

What is the significance of the title Jesus and John Wayne?

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.

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The Gospel According to John Wayne: How Evangelicals Embraced Militant Masculinity

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When Donald Trump spoke at a small Christian college in Iowa in 2016, he didn't sound like a traditional Christian candidate. He boasted about his wealth, warned about immigrants, and claimed Christianity was "under siege." Despite his crude language and questionable morals, white evangelicals embraced him enthusiastically-81% would eventually vote for him. This wasn't a bizarre aberration or hypocritical compromise. It was the culmination of decades of evangelical culture-building that had gradually transformed Jesus from a gentle shepherd into a warrior king more reminiscent of John Wayne than the Sermon on the Mount. Trump's appeal to evangelicals wasn't despite his aggressive masculinity and authoritarian tendencies-it was precisely because of them. Over seventy-five years, evangelicals had constructed a militant masculine ideal through books, music, films, and consumer products that celebrated a particular vision of Christian manhood defined by toughness, authority, and willingness to use force in defense of faith, family, and nation.

From "Sissy" Faith to Muscular Christianity

The Cold War and the Cowboy Christ

Patriarchy as Politics: The Rise of the Religious Right

Warriors for a New Millennium

From Obama to Trump: The Culmination

The Cost of Militant Faith

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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

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The Gospel According to John Wayne: How Evangelicals Embraced Militant Masculinity