The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg Puritans, Canadians, Weberians, Oh My! | Interview: Molly Worthen
Oct 9, 2025
Molly Worthen, historian and professor at UNC Chapel Hill, dives into the intriguing dynamics of charisma in American history. She elaborates on its theological roots and contrasts it with charm, highlighting its role in creating compelling narratives that shape followers. Worthen traces the lineage of charismatic figures from the Puritans to JFK and critiques modern populism's anti-intellectualism. She also discusses the impact of technology on charismatic movements and notes a resurgence of religious interest among Gen Z, stressing the importance of committed institutions.
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Charisma Is A Story, Not Just Charm
- Charisma is a storytelling relationship where leaders invite followers into a grand narrative that explains their lives.
- The power lies in the story itself, which can travel beyond personal encounters with the leader.
Reformation Shaped American Religious Market
- The Reformation unleashed individual spiritual access that reshaped Western religious markets.
- That individualism seeded American spiritual entrepreneurship and distinctive charismatic dynamics.
Protestant Dissent Influenced American Exceptionalism
- Protestant dissenters influenced American distrust of centralized authority long before the Constitution.
- That intellectual genealogy helps explain American exceptionalism versus Canada and other peers.
