Truce - History of the Christian Church Kristin Kobes Du Mez: "Live, Laugh, Love"
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Sep 15, 2026 
Kristin Kobes Du Mez, a historian of American evangelicalism and author of Jesus and John Wayne, explores the feminine side of evangelical culture. They discuss Christian romance, positivity teachings, Keswick Holiness, New Thought, Billy Graham, and the links between spirituality, capitalism, consumer culture, abuse, and multi-level marketing. A lively tour through overlooked women and the forces shaping modern faith.
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Women Belong At The Center Of Evangelical History
- Women’s history reveals how ordinary consumers shape American Christianity, not merely powerful male theologians.
- Du Mez argues that Christian romance novels, Hobby Lobby, and blogging communities belong in evangelical history.
Positive Thinking Shaped Christian Womanhood
- Modern Christian womanhood borrowed heavily from New Thought’s positive-thinking ideals rather than emerging solely from biblical teaching.
- Fascinating Womanhood influenced Marabel Morgan’s The Total Woman, linking femininity, submission, male approval, and happiness.
How Keswick Holiness Controlled Spiritual Power
- Keswick Holiness and New Thought independently rejected Calvinist pessimism by emphasizing individual agency and mental or spiritual power.
- Keswick helped channel charismatic energy into controlled systems that later influenced fundamentalism and prosperity teaching.
