Poor Sam Elliott has been roped into duty as a meme fixture because the majestically mustachioed cowboy represents another hokey old school fixture of American masculinity. The cop is similarly romanticized as an icon of rugged masculinity who selflessly keeps the world safe while being crucified as the enemy of mankind by a hate-crazed, criminal loving left. The soldier is deified as the realest of real men, a patriotic hero willing to risk death for shitty pay so that Millennial snowflakes can crawl into their safe spaces for their Vegan Cupcake Pillow Parties for Bernie Sanders. Men are represented by archetypes of conventional masculinity. To be a man is to be tough, stoic, unemotional, ruled by emotion and logic like the great android-philosopher Gods Ben Shapiro and Jordan Peterson. In these memes rigid gender roles make a triumphant comeback as the cornerstones of Western Christian American supremacy, to be protected to the death in the face of the rampaging, corrosive forces of Islam-loving political correctness. “Du Mez’s portrait of American evangelicalism makes Jesus and John Wayne not only one of the most important books on religion and the 2016 elections but one of the most important books on post-1945 American evangelicalism published in the past four decades.I’m fascinated by the visual language and cliches of Conservative memes because they say so much about the world we live in and how Trump cultists see themselves and their opposition, albeit not in the manner intended. “ absolute must-read, a stunning work, and one that deserves serious attention and further conversation.” Joel Wentz, Englewood Review of Books “A much needed and painstakingly accurate chronicle of exactly ‘where many evangelicals are,’ and the long road that got them there.” Tom Cox, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette I hear people say all the time that Trump’s election was a tragedy for evangelicals, but after reading book, I wonder if it isn’t their greatest victory.” Sean Illing, Vox A very readable page-turner.” Scot McKnight, Christianity Today clearly explicates the way the ‘evangelical cult of masculinity’ has played out over decades.” The National Book Review “brilliant and engaging.” The New Republic “ Jesus and John Wayne is a book that America needs now.” The Boston Globe “ urgent, sharp-elbowed survey of the last half-century of white American evangelicalism.” Shelf Awareness “ fascinating and fervent book….a provocative, but insightful and detailed look at the culture and impact of evangelical Christianity today, where The Duke and The Messiah are riding saddle-by-saddle toward some sort of glory.” Houston Press This lucid, potent history adds a much needed religious dimension to understanding the current American right and the rise of Trump.” Publishers Weekly “ engaging history of the shifting ideal of Christian masculinity.
Sure to be controversial, the author’s closely reasoned argument is thoughtful and provoking.” Booklist “ fascinating study of the rise of militant masculinity among Evangelicals. “Those who legitimately ask “How can evangelicals support Donald Trump?” need to read this book to understand why. A searing and sobering book, one that should be read by anyone who wants to grasp our political moment and the religious movement that helped get us here.” Darren Dochuk “This deeply perceptive book establishes Kristin Kobes Du Mez as the Christian critic of this crisis moment.
Highly recommended, especially at this critical moment in religious, cultural, and political history.” Brian D.
A scholarly work of history, but it is so well written that it promises to be popular with a wide audience.