Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation

Kristin Kobes Du Mez’s Jesus and John Wayne is a revelatory and often unsettling exploration of how the Christian Right has systematically reshaped American culture, politics, and faith over decades. With meticulous research and sharp analysis, Du Mez unveils how white evangelicals in the United States have fused religion, politics, and pop culture into a potent movement that is driving the country closer to Christian Nationalism—a vision of America that is both deeply divisive and far removed from biblical principles. The Long Road to Christian Nationalism One of the most eye-opening aspects of the book is the history it lays bare: the Christian Right’s ascent to power was not a spontaneous reaction to social or political changes, but a deliberate and sustained effort spanning decades. Du Mez meticulously documents how leaders in this movement have harnessed political clout, fear-mongering, and media influence to further their agenda. From the Cold War to the Moral Majority to the rise of Donald Trump, the book traces how evangelical leaders used a blend of patriotism, militarism, and masculinity to build a political powerhouse. Du Mez doesn’t shy away from pointing out the inconsistencies and contradictions at the heart of this movement. Many of the policies championed by the Christian Right—xenophobia, systemic racism, gender inequality—stand in stark opposition to the teachings of Jesus. The book challenges readers to grapple with how a faith ostensibly rooted in love and compassion has been wielded as a tool of division and exclusion. The Role of Pop Culture A particularly fascinating aspect of Jesus and John Wayne is its exploration of the role of pop culture in shaping evangelical identity. Figures like John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, and Mel Gibson’s Braveheart have served as cultural icons, embodying a rugged, aggressive masculinity that has been mythologized and spiritualized by the Christian Right. These icons helped create a version of Christianity steeped in patriarchy and militarism—far removed from the humility and servitude of Christ. The book also highlights how evangelical subcultures, through books, movies, and megachurches, have reinforced these ideals. This blending of pop culture and faith has solidified a worldview that is deeply resistant to change and increasingly radicalized. Fear and Mobilization Fear is a recurring theme in Jesus and John Wayne. Du Mez illustrates how evangelical leaders have strategically used fear to galvanize their base, whether through warnings of communism during the Cold War, the so-called “War on Christmas,” or fears of losing traditional gender roles. This fear is not only used to target specific communities—such as LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and feminists—but also to drive evangelical voters to the polls in unprecedented numbers. The result is a movement that prioritizes political power over spiritual integrity. A Sobering Vision of the Future Du Mez warns of the dangers of Christian Nationalism, painting a picture of what such an America might look like: a country defined by exclusion, intolerance, and the erosion of democratic principles. It is a chilling vision that highlights the stakes of our current political moment. At the same time, the book underscores that this trajectory is not inevitable. By understanding the history and mechanics of this movement, readers are better equipped to recognize and challenge its influence. Why You Should Read This Book Jesus and John Wayne is a powerful, deeply researched, and urgent call to critically examine the intersection of faith and politics in America. Du Mez’s work challenges readers to question how Christianity has been co-opted to serve political ends, often at great moral and social cost. This book is not just a history lesson—it’s a warning and a wake-up call. It pushes us to reflect on how we, as individuals and as a society, can resist the allure of fear and division and work toward a vision of faith and governance rooted in genuine compassion and justice. For anyone seeking to understand the roots of Christian Nationalism and its impact on America today, Jesus and John Wayne is an essential read.

I inhaled this book. It was like seeing from the outside in to so many things I saw and experienced from another angle. This book is well researched, thorough, infuriating, and truthful. A hard but necessary read.

I wish the introduction hadn't been so aggressive but I think the book resents a through and accurate view of the movement. I've been obsessing over religious abuse in general and some of these personalities in particular for awhile now, and this is consistent with what I've seen and read. This book presented a lot of information w holistically and well. If you're not familiar with the men in this book, I recommend that you google them as you go along, otherwise they might start to blend in your imagination.