It’s difficult to convey in its subtlety, but one example is in the chapter titled, “A New High Priest.” This section, which includes no citations or direct quotes, offers a biting, sarcastic version of evangelical thinking about gender and masculinity in particular: “What makes for a strong leader? A virile (white) man. As a woman, I cringe at this oft-misused critique, but the problem was prevalent throughout the book so it seems important to mention. This makes it difficult to see her as a friendly critic.
One of the first things I noticed about the book was that by parroting evangelical voices without using direct quotations or citations, Du Mez’ tone unfortunately often reads as sarcastic. Due to frequent sarcasm as well as a lack of charity toward its critics and, at times, a lack of evidence to back up its claims, I fear this book will be rejected by many of the people who would most benefit from reading it
Perhaps I’m a particularly needy reader, but if Du Mez hopes to persuade skeptical readers, you wouldn’t guess it from the book. However, despite the good I see in Du Mez’ work, I have to admit my mixed feelings about it. Every evangelical needs to wrestle with this book.īut I also think Jamie Carlson‘s largely critical, often courageous, and honest review of the book at Mere Orthodoxy raises some great points.
I sung the book’s praises in my interview with Du Mez in Episode 73 of The Way of Improvement Leads Home Podcast and I stand by those words. It’s a strong book that says things about the recent history of American evangelicalism that should have been said a long time ago. If social media is any indication, everyone loves Kristin Kobes Du Mez’s book Jesus and John Wayne.
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