Earlier this year, I read the fabulous (and hard) book “Jesus & John Wayne” by @kkdumez.
I’ve been trying to write this piece on and off ever since, finally beginning with this a few weeks ago:
“It’s all true. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.”
medium.com/backyard-theol… #wct
I’ve been trying to write this piece on and off ever since, finally beginning with this a few weeks ago:
“It’s all true. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.”
medium.com/backyard-theol… #wct
This book resonated a lot with me. I’ve been inside various expressions of evangelicalism for most of my life.
There have always been things in evangelicalism I’ve seen that I found confusing or hypocritical. I could never really nail down what was at the heart of it though.
There have always been things in evangelicalism I’ve seen that I found confusing or hypocritical. I could never really nail down what was at the heart of it though.
. @kkdumez manages to do so. #JesusAndJohnWayne is wonderful in that it is well-researched and easy to follow.
It’s a hard read —at least for me— because much of the content is disturbing.
I also found it to be difficult because I saw my own experiences in it.
It’s a hard read —at least for me— because much of the content is disturbing.
I also found it to be difficult because I saw my own experiences in it.
I read this book at the tail end of a weird time in my life. Last 5 years, quite a few evangelicals have suggested that I’m not “a real Christian.“
Because I spoke out against Trump. Because I’m liberal. Because I ask questions.
The list of my “shortcomings” grew every year.
Because I spoke out against Trump. Because I’m liberal. Because I ask questions.
The list of my “shortcomings” grew every year.
What made it odd was that I felt stronger in my faith than ever before, even though the church culture around me said I was straying.
But it was clarifying to learn that more people than I realized valued white evangelical culture over everything else, including Jesus.
But it was clarifying to learn that more people than I realized valued white evangelical culture over everything else, including Jesus.
Our family recently left our church of 10 years. We mistakenly believed the fever would break if Trump lost.
The fever didn’t break. In fact, it got worse. The political idolatry, obsession with cultural conformity, and gaslighting all deepened.
The fever didn’t break. In fact, it got worse. The political idolatry, obsession with cultural conformity, and gaslighting all deepened.
It’s odd, but we feel completely at peace with leaving, for a lot of reasons.
One reason though was this gift of a book @kkdumez wrote. It helped me connect some dots and see the world around me for what it really was.
And with that came healing and freedom.
One reason though was this gift of a book @kkdumez wrote. It helped me connect some dots and see the world around me for what it really was.
And with that came healing and freedom.
I’m still a Christian. We’re looking for a new church to call home. We’ll be fine, despite some evangelicals saying we won’t be.
All this to say, I hope you’ll read “Jesus & John Wayne” by @kkdumez.
All this to say, I hope you’ll read “Jesus & John Wayne” by @kkdumez.
This book may be hard truth, but it’s also a work of love to those of us who desire to follow Jesus, but have far too often been denied the chance.
Passing @kkdumez’s gift to others who need it seems like a Christlike thing to do. medium.com/backyard-theol…
Passing @kkdumez’s gift to others who need it seems like a Christlike thing to do. medium.com/backyard-theol…
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