Jesus and John Wayne is a Great Book

Kristin Kobes Du Mez’s Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation is a profoundly significant and thought-provoking work that deserves praise for its historical rigor, cultural insight, and moral clarity. Published in 2020, the book has resonated with scholars, pastors, and lay readers alike, not only because of its provocative title and thesis but also because of the depth and breadth of its research and the relevance of its subject matter. Du Mez, a historian at Calvin University, challenges prevailing narratives about white evangelicalism in the United States by tracing how gender roles—especially ideals of militant masculinity—have shaped, and been shaped by, evangelical culture, theology, and politics. Jesus and John Wayne is a great book because it is meticulously researched, timely, and transformative in its implications for understanding religion, politics, and American identity.

Meticulous Historical Research

One of the most commendable aspects of Jesus and John Wayne is Du Mez’s commitment to historical scholarship. She draws from a wide array of primary sources—books, sermons, speeches, popular media, and evangelical publications—ranging from the 1940s to the present day. Her research is exhaustive but not overwhelming, offering readers a clear and well-supported narrative that traces how cultural icons such as John Wayne became central to American evangelicalism’s conception of Christian manhood.

Du Mez does not rely on anecdotes or sensationalism; instead, she constructs her argument with precision and care, demonstrating that evangelicalism has long been shaped by cultural forces rather than purely theological ones. From Billy Graham and James Dobson to figures like Jerry Falwell, Mark Driscoll, and Donald Trump, Du Mez shows how evangelical leaders and followers have consistently embraced aggressive, patriarchal visions of masculinity, often at odds with the teachings of Jesus. Her careful documentation makes this book more than a polemic—it is a well-substantiated historical account that invites readers to reconsider what they think they know about evangelical Christianity.

Timely Cultural and Political Relevance

Du Mez’s book arrived at a critical moment in American history. The election of Donald Trump in 2016, and the overwhelming support he received from white evangelical voters, puzzled and disturbed many observers. Trump’s personal conduct, his rhetoric, and his policies seemed incongruous with Christian teachings—especially those of humility, compassion, and peace. Jesus and John Wayne explains how such support did not emerge from nowhere but was the result of decades of evangelical cultural formation that prioritized authority, violence, nationalism, and patriarchal order over the beatitudes and servant leadership modeled by Jesus.

By placing Trump’s rise within a longer historical trajectory, Du Mez demonstrates that the fusion of conservative evangelicalism with right-wing politics, militant masculinity, and white nationalism was not a betrayal of evangelical values but, in many ways, their culmination. This makes the book both disturbing and essential. It forces readers to grapple with uncomfortable truths about the American church, and it provides a framework for understanding the political polarization and moral dissonance that now characterize much of American religious life.

Cultural Critique with Moral Urgency

What sets Jesus and John Wayne apart from other books on American evangelicalism is its moral urgency. Du Mez is not simply chronicling a cultural phenomenon; she is issuing a call to reckon with the consequences of that phenomenon. She writes not only as a historian but also as a Christian who cares deeply about the integrity of the faith and the health of the church. Her critique is incisive but not cynical. She does not paint all evangelicals with the same brush, nor does she dismiss the possibility of change and reform. Rather, she invites readers—especially those within evangelical communities—to reflect on what it means to follow Jesus in a culture that has too often glorified violence, domination, and hierarchy.

Du Mez is particularly attentive to the ways evangelical masculinities have harmed women, people of color, and the broader public witness of Christianity. She connects the dots between toxic masculinity and the abuse scandals that have rocked evangelical institutions. She shows how racial exclusion and nationalist rhetoric have alienated people who might otherwise be drawn to the message of Christ. In doing so, she helps readers see how theology and culture are deeply intertwined—and why it matters to get both right.

A New Canon for Understanding Religion in America

Jesus and John Wayne is not just a valuable resource for those interested in religion; it belongs in the canon of contemporary books that help explain the current American moment. It joins works like Robert Jones’s The End of White Christian America, Jemar Tisby’s The Color of Compromise, and Beth Allison Barr’s The Making of Biblical Womanhood in offering a fresh lens through which to view evangelicalism’s legacy and future. For scholars, journalists, pastors, and engaged citizens, Du Mez provides a roadmap for interpreting the religious and political fault lines that define our era.

Furthermore, the book’s accessible prose makes it ideal for both academic and general audiences. Du Mez writes with clarity and conviction, translating complex historical developments into narratives that are engaging and impactful. Her storytelling makes the material come alive without sacrificing analytical depth.

Jesus and John Wayne is a great book because it combines scholarly excellence, cultural relevance, and prophetic urgency. Kristin Kobes Du Mez offers not just a history of evangelical masculinity, but a compelling argument about how cultural ideals can shape religious communities in ways that distort the essence of faith. By unmasking the myths that undergird much of white evangelicalism, she opens a space for critical reflection, honest dialogue, and hopeful transformation.

In an era of widespread disillusionment with institutional religion and political polarization, Jesus and John Wayne challenges readers to confront hard truths with courage and integrity. It is a necessary book for anyone who cares about the future of Christianity in America—and the health of American democracy itself.