LPC Pastor Jim Butler will present a four-part series on the intersection of partisan politics and evangelical theology using the research of Calvin College history professor, Dr. Kristin Kobes Du Mez. In 2021, Dr. Du Mez published a New York Times best-selling book entitled, Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation, in which she carefully traces the actions of politicians and evangelical leaders to meld politics and evangelical religion into one powerful movement that began with Billy Sunday’s “muscular Christianity” and the iconic actor, John Wayne.
The series will include a thorough discussion of evangelical and “fundamental” theology popularized by Billy Graham, James Dobson and Jerry Falwell. The rise of militant faith and a Christian America, by ignoring Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” and his other basic teachings, will also be discussed. This year, rather than a meal, refreshments will be offered in the Atrium beginning at 6:30 p.m. The series will continue February 27, March 5 and March 12.