Heather Hendershot‘s Shaking the World for Jesus:  Media and Conservative Evangelical Culture is one of several recent books that provides an insightful analysis of evangelical Christians’ relationship with popular culture.  Like her contemporary, Daniel Radosh, Hendershot also takes a sympathetic approach to the topic, recognizing that evangelicals make significant meaning out of their interactions with and consumption of popular culture, while also being highly critical of its theological and cultural shortcomings.  Hendershot reveals that in this relationship both popular culture... Read more

In her book, Brands of Faith, Mara Einstein argues that religion is a competing commodity in a larger marketplace.  James B. Twitchell takes this notion closely to heart and runs with it in his book, Shopping for God:  How Christianity Went From In Your Heart to In Your Face.  He argues that denominational differences have less to do with dogma and more to do with packaging and advertising…or lack thereof.  Throw non-denominational megachurches into the mix and the picture becomes... Read more

As part of my dissertation research, I’ve been looking into the Prosperity Gospel, the Health and Wealth Gospel, or the Name It and Claim It Gospel…whatever you like to call it.  For those of you who don’t know, it’s basically the notion that God wants us to be physically wealthy here and now.  Ironically, those who have been the most “successful” at preaching it often require something in return from the believers who hope to attain that health and wealth. ... Read more

There can be no doubt that brothers Joel and Ethan Coen are perhaps two of the most original, visionary filmmakers working today.  In fact, when they have run their course, their filmography will no doubt stand out as one of the greatest in American film history.  If there is any credence to the auteur theory, then certainly they contribute to it.  Their films, though never espousing any particular theology, are deeply theological and spiritual.  In her book, The Dude Abides: ... Read more

Angelology is one of the latest entries in the recent spate of religious adventure fiction made most popular by Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons.  Danielle Trussoni‘s novel will unfortunately most likely not get the attention of its, in many ways, inferior predecessors, but it is one captivating summer read that blends religious and mythological studies with a healthy dose of imagination. (more…) Read more