In John Wayne and Jesus, Robert P. Jones offers a compelling and insightful critique of how evangelical Christianity’s embrace of hyper-masculine ideals has reshaped American society, politics, and family life. By examining how cultural icons like John Wayne became symbols of rugged individualism and authority, Jones explores how these ideals have been woven into evangelicalism, influencing everything from legislation to personal relationships. For readers raised in evangelical environments where male dominance and control were celebrated, this book serves as both a validation of personal experiences and a thought-provoking call for change.

The Influence of John Wayne: A Complex Legacy

Jones uses John Wayne as a powerful symbol to illustrate the type of masculinity that has come to define modern evangelical culture: strong, dominant, and resistant to vulnerability or compromise. However, Wayne’s own legacy is complicated, including openly racist and sexist views that mirror broader issues within evangelicalism’s hyper-masculine ideals. Wayne’s portrayal of masculinity, both on and off-screen, has influenced generations to equate manhood with toughness and control—values that often prioritize power over empathy.

This idealized version of masculinity promotes a narrow identity that many men feel pressured to adopt, often at the expense of their emotional well-being. By aligning themselves with this version of manhood, evangelical communities have encouraged a model that values authority and control, frequently at the cost of authentic relationships and personal growth.

Bill Gothard’s Authoritarian Influence

Jones also explores the impact of figures like Bill Gothard, a fundamentalist preacher whose teachings on strict hierarchy, obedience, and male authority have further shaped evangelical masculinity. Through his Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), Gothard promoted an authoritarian family structure where men were the unquestioned leaders and women and children were expected to submit. This model discouraged questioning authority, creating environments where abuse and mistreatment could flourish unchecked.

Gothard’s teachings influenced homeschooling curricula, church leadership training, and even political circles, embedding authoritarian principles into evangelical culture. His legacy is a reminder of how unchecked male authority, justified as “biblical,” can lead to cycles of abuse, disempowerment, and silence—particularly for women and children. This authoritarian influence continues to echo in evangelical circles, reinforcing a narrow view of masculinity that leaves little room for vulnerability or equality.

Billy Graham and Evangelicalism’s Political Rise

While Gothard reinforced patriarchal values within family life, Billy Graham brought evangelicalism into the mainstream and helped align it with conservative American politics. Through his revival meetings and media presence, Graham promoted a brand of Christianity that combined traditional values with patriotism, reinforcing gender roles that cast men as leaders and women as supporters. Graham’s influence helped create an alliance between evangelical Christianity and conservative politics, framing issues like reproductive rights and education as moral battles essential to preserving the nation’s values.

Graham’s legacy laid the groundwork for the Religious Right, giving rise to a politicized evangelical movement that influences legislation on issues such as reproductive healthcare, educational policies, and family structures. By framing these issues in moral terms, evangelical leaders have supported legislation that restricts individual freedoms, reinforcing a narrow, patriarchal view of society that impacts everyone.

How This Ideology Shapes Politics and Restricts Rights

Jones explains that this alliance between evangelicalism and conservative politics has resulted in restrictive legislation that affects men, women, and families. Policies limiting reproductive rights, enforcing abstinence-only education, and reducing support for social services all stem from a rigid vision of morality and family that values authority and control over personal autonomy.

Such policies not only restrict women’s rights but also impact men, particularly when they promote a narrow view of masculinity. Laws that discourage paternity leave, for instance, reinforce the idea that men’s primary role is as providers, rather than nurturing parents, restricting their options to fully engage in family life. Evangelical-influenced legislation often limits individuals’ choices, enforcing rigid gender roles that impact everyone’s ability to live freely and authentically.

The Impact on Family and Relationships

Within the family, evangelical masculinity encourages men to assume roles as protectors and providers, while women are expected to submit and support. This structure fosters an imbalance where men may feel pressure to maintain control, and women may feel silenced. Jones discusses how this dynamic creates barriers to genuine connection, leading to relationships that lack mutual respect and balance. Men raised in this ideology may struggle with vulnerability, feeling that they must project strength at all times, which can isolate them from their partners and children.

The effects on romantic relationships can be profound, as men find themselves limited in their ability to express emotions openly. Women, in turn, are encouraged to prioritize their partner’s authority over their own needs, often leading to resentment and frustration. This hierarchy discourages vulnerability, empathy, and open communication, eroding the foundation of trust necessary for fulfilling relationships.

The Cost for Men: Isolation and Emotional Disconnection

Jones powerfully argues that evangelical masculinity is also deeply harmful to men themselves. The pressure to embody a version of masculinity that shuns vulnerability and emotional expression isolates men from their own emotions and from meaningful connections with others. Men may experience feelings of inadequacy and shame as they try to live up to ideals that prioritize control over authenticity. This emotional disconnect leads to loneliness and mental health challenges that many men feel unable to address openly.

For men raised to believe that authority defines their worth, the idea of showing vulnerability can feel like a betrayal of their identity, making it difficult to build supportive relationships or seek help. This emotional isolation is a significant consequence of a worldview that equates masculinity with control, leaving men with few tools to navigate their inner lives.

A Path Forward: Embracing Compassion and Equality

John Wayne and Jesus ultimately calls for a reimagining of masculinity, urging men to embrace qualities like empathy, humility, and compassion over control and dominance. Jones challenges readers to consider whether this “John Wayne” model of masculinity truly aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who championed love, forgiveness, and equality. By moving away from a faith that prioritizes power, men can foster relationships and communities that are rooted in mutual respect and understanding.

For those of us raised in environments shaped by rigid gender roles and patriarchal authority, Jones’s insights offer both validation and hope. This book provides a framework to understand the cultural forces that have shaped our lives and, perhaps, a path forward toward healing. By embracing a version of masculinity that values compassion over control and vulnerability over stoicism, we can build stronger, more fulfilling relationships and contribute to a more just, inclusive society.

Final Thoughts: A Call to Reclaim Faith and Authentic Masculinity

John Wayne and Jesus is a powerful, thought-provoking critique of evangelical masculinity and its impacts on individuals, families, and society. For readers who grew up in evangelical circles, Jones’s work offers a chance to reflect on how these ideals shaped our relationships, our sense of self, and our understanding of faith. He encourages men to step away from a culture of dominance and to embrace a faith rooted in compassion, empathy, and mutual respect.

By examining the contrast between John Wayne’s version of manhood and the teachings of Jesus, Jones not only calls out the contradictions but also offers a hopeful vision of masculinity that is compassionate, open, and rooted in the true spirit of Christianity. For those who have felt the personal costs of evangelical masculinity—who have seen relationships strained, connections lost, and emotions suppressed—John Wayne and Jesus offers both validation and a path forward.

This book is an invitation for all of us to reimagine faith and masculinity, to embrace a worldview that values every individual’s dignity, and to foster relationships built on understanding and love. In a world shaped by ideological divisions and a culture of power, John Wayne and Jesus is a call to seek a faith that truly embraces the humanity and value of every person.