Kristin Kobes Du Mez

Kristin Kobes Du Mez is an American historian and professor of history and gender studies at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She received her Ph.D. in American history from the University of Notre Dame and previously worked at Williams College and the Five College Women's Studies Research Center at Mount Holyoke College. Du Mez gained significant recognition for her 2020 book "Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation." The book became a New York Times bestseller, reaching number four on the nonfiction paperback list, and generated extensive discussion in both secular and religious media outlets. Her scholarly work began with "A New Gospel for Women: Katharine Bushnell and the Challenge of Christian Feminism," which examined the life and theological contributions of Katharine Bushnell. Du Mez's research focuses on the intersections of religion, gender, and politics in American history. The author's work continues to influence public discourse on American evangelicalism and gender roles in Christianity. Her forthcoming film project "For Our Daughters," directed by Carl Byker and based on material from "Jesus and John Wayne," explores themes of abuse within evangelical communities.

Readers praise Du Mez's historical research and detailed documentation in "Jesus and John Wayne," noting her ability to connect religious and cultural trends. Many readers cite the book's clear explanation of evangelical masculinity's evolution. Reviews frequently mention the personal impact on readers from evangelical backgrounds who found the book helped them understand their experiences. Criticism focuses on perceived bias and selective use of examples. Some readers argue Du Mez oversimplifies complex theological positions or paints with too broad a brush. Several reviews note the book's heavy focus on negative aspects of evangelicalism without balanced coverage of positive elements. Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: 4.27/5 (13,000+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.6/5 (5,000+ ratings) "A New Gospel for Women" has fewer reviews but maintains similar ratings: - Goodreads: 4.3/5 (50+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.7/5 (20+ ratings) Common reader feedback highlights Du Mez's accessible writing style and thorough source citations, though some find the tone too academic or argumentative.

Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation (2020) An examination of how militant masculinity became intertwined with American evangelical Christianity over the past 75 years.

A New Gospel for Women: Katharine Bushnell and the Challenge of Christian Feminism (2015) A historical analysis of Katharine Bushnell's theological work and her advocacy for women's rights through biblical interpretation.

Beth Allison Barr writes about gender roles in Christian history and examines how patriarchal structures developed in religious institutions. She authored "The Making of Biblical Womanhood" which analyzes historical evidence challenging traditional evangelical views of gender hierarchy.

Jemar Tisby examines the intersection of race and Christianity in American history through works like "The Color of Compromise." His research focuses on how American Christianity has interacted with racial injustice throughout U.S. history.

Sarah Posner investigates the relationship between religion and politics in contemporary America, particularly focusing on the Religious Right. Her book "Unholy" explores connections between evangelical Christianity and political movements.

Kate Bowler studies American Christianity with emphasis on the prosperity gospel movement and evangelical culture. Her work combines historical analysis with personal narrative to examine faith traditions in America.

Timothy Gloege analyzes the development of modern evangelical Christianity and its relationship to American business culture. His book "Guaranteed Pure" examines how marketing and consumer culture shaped evangelical identity.