Televangelism, power, and politics on God's frontier
Book Description
In an era where faith and politics increasingly intersect, this penetrating sociological examination reveals how electronic media has transformed the landscape of American Christianity. Jeffrey K. Hadden presents a compelling analysis of how televangelists have harnessed the power of broadcast technology to create vast religious empires that extend far beyond traditional theological boundaries.
Drawing on extensive research, this work explores how "Electric Christianity" has emerged as a hybrid phenomenon, reaching audiences who often exist outside mainstream religious institutions. The authors demonstrate how these electronic ministries transmit messages that blend spiritual content with political activism, creating what they identify as a potentially transformative movement in American religious life.
Rather than dismissing televangelism as mere spectacle, Hadden and his colleague examine the sophisticated organizational structures behind these ministries and their remarkable ability to maintain follower loyalty even amid controversy and scandal. The book reveals how this electronic revolution in religious communication may represent nothing less than a second Protestant reformation, fundamentally reshaping the relationship between sacred and secular power.
For readers seeking to understand the complex dynamics of contemporary spirituality and its intersection with social movements, this analysis offers valuable insights into how technology, faith, and political engagement converge in modern America. The work provides a thoughtful framework for examining how religious messages adapt and spread in our interconnected world.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~9 hours)
📄 Length: 325 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Church history
- ✓ Explore Conservatism
- ✓ Explore Evangelists
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore Verkondiging
- ✓ Explore Christianity
- ✓ Explore Evangelikale Bewegung
- ✓ Explore Television in religion
