The Book of Jerry Falwell: Fundamentalist Language and Politics

by Susan Friend Harding

Book Overview

National polls show that approximately 50 million adult Americans are born-again Christians. Yet most Americans see their culture as secular, and the United States is viewed around the world as a secular nation. Further, intellectuals and journalists often portray born-again Christians, despite their numbers, as outsiders who endanger public life. But is American culture really so neatly split between the religious and the secular? Is America as...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0691089582
• ISBN13: 9780691089584
• Release Date: July 2001
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A good mix of history and cultural study

This book offers a survey of Fundamentalist politics from the perspective of the fundamentalist leader Jerry Falwell. Harding weaves together historical analysis with anthropological commentary whilst also letting the subjects speak for themselves through the inclusion of lengthy quotes from fundamentalist preachers. One of Harding's main comments is on the often misunderstood rehetorics of fundamentalist political language and she explains how they what fundamentalists hear when Falwell speaks is often different to how other hear the same words. The book is divided into chapters (obviously!) with each dealing with a different topic (eg abortion, creationism etc). The strength of this book is that it gives a context through fundamentalist history of contemporary positions. The end result is a very readable fairminded glimpse into the different world that is christian fundamentalist politcs and one that is recommended for those interested in the subject. My one major criticism is that their is often a lack of theological grasp of some of the issues involved which of course you cannot particularly blame Harding for (she is an anthropologist). This is a book that would have benefitted from a co-author (Mark Noll immediately springs to mind). Overall though this is definitely recommended.

Fascinating

Harding does not attempt an expose, per se, although readers will be disturbed, perplexed and perhaps shocked by some of this book. For her research, the author immersed herself in the world of evangelical fundamentalism, getting to know the people, even becoming (in a sense) an insider herself. The fruit of her time is The Book of Jerry Falwell, an exploration of the way words are used in the fundamentalist "subculture" (though I am not sure if this is a designation Harding herself uses), specifically in the ministry of one of modern fundamentalism's key figures, televangelist Jerry Falwell.The author's analysis rings true to life, for over the course of the past couple of years I have been on a pilgrimage away from my fundamentalist past, and can identify with many of her observations. For example, nowadays in conversation with fundamentalists I find I have to adapt my language and way of thinking to their language and way of thinking. When I have connected my worldview (still Christian, just not fundamentalist) to theirs, I can start to understand. Similarly, I find myself having to suspend my own mental system when talking to my new-age friends, and learn how words work in the world they inhabit. For this reason, Harding's perceptive commentary on fundamentalist political and religious speech resonates with my own perceptions, and thus emerges as fascinating, incisive and authentic.

Inside Jerry Falwell

In light of Rev. Falwell's unfortunate comments about the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, I recommend this book to anyone seeking to understand, "Why would that guy say that stuff?" Harding presents an objective, intelligent, perceptive analysis of the way that Fundamentalist language shapes the way in which they relate to the world, and how Jerry Falwell changed that shaping from withdrawal to the active Moral Majority of the 1980s. Harding combs through Falwell's history and sermons to observe how the language of "being born again" affects the listener, showing Falwell's shift from separatism to political activism. She critiques both Falwell and Falwell's critics in a fair and keenly insightful way. Good reading and good understanding.

Review.

Harding's provocative title promises in no uncertain terms to tell a good story. I experienced suspense as the Book of Jerry Falwell carefully delineated an important dimension of the story of America, then, more broadly and intensely, the story of speech, and of listening, making calmly powerful suggestions about the nature of both. With the hint of an irony that is at once intelligent and warm, Harding has written a rare book, a familiar book, about a culture often seen, from the corner of our eyes, in the side-view mirrors of our cars, one much closer than it appears. This author doesn't need to stray from a thorough elucidation of her subject to meditate intently upon larger questions, which is a continual delight. This book augurs well for anthropology in America.