Twentieth-Century Shapers of American Popular Religion

(Hardback)

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Those familiar with the uneven quality of existing biographies and autobiographies of modern American religious celebrities will be especially grateful for the critical comments and reliable information in this engaging volume. Choice Despite its pervasive influence, popular or non-official religion in twentieth-century America has been largely ignored by scholars. This book is the first biographical reference to be published on the subject. It examines the lives and careers of more than sixty notable individuals who have helped to shape popular religious sentiment in this century, including radio and television preachers, inspirational writers, gospel songwriter-performers, mass revivalists, and leaders of religious movements that cut across denominational lines. In his introduction, Lippy discusses the eclectic and individualistic character of popular religion, its impact on American attitudes and behavior, and critical approaches to interpreting and understanding it. Each essay offers a brief biography followed by a critical appraisal of the contribution of the subject and an assessment of relevant literature. Entries conclude with a selective bibliography. Cross-referencing and a comprehensive index are supplied. Combining the efforts of more than forty scholars, Lippy's book is the first to give us a clear picture of the many different kinds of people who have left their mark on popular religious consciousness in the twentieth century. A useful reference for American studies, American religious history, popular culture studies, and related areas, this volume will also be of interest to general readers.

Reviews

The media coverage of the scandals linked to Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggert in 1987 and 1988 accentuated a development already well underway: a growing interest in American popular religion. As the publication of Peter W. Williams's groundbreaking Popular Religion in America (CH, Jul '80) made clear, this interest is evident among scholars in the fields of American history and religion as well as among the general public. The volume under review supplements Williams's book by providing biographical and bibliographical information on more than 60 individuals who have influenced popular religion in North America during the 20th century. This alphabetically arranged book comprises an ecumenical array of leaders and prophets, from William Aberhart to Wovoka. It achieves a balance between early 20th-century figures (e.g., Bruce Barton, Mordecai Kaplan, and Marcus Garvey) and later luminaries (e.g., Kathryn Kuhlman, Harvey Cox, and Morris West). Those familiar with the uneven quality of existing biographies and autobiographies of modern American religious celebrities will be especially grateful for the critical comments and reliable information in this engaging volume. Appropriate for graduate students, undergraduates, and general readers.-Choice
The title Twentieth-Century Shapers of American Popular Religion indicates this text's distinctive temporal and topical scope. The 69 people profiled by 25 contributors, most of them academics, were selected for their influence on audiences that cut across denominations and faith traditions to include ordinary men and women of every religious affiliation and no affiliation at all.' In nearly all cases, successful use of mass media was a key ingredient in their ability to reach these broad audiences. Many of the subjects thrive today; a few, however, find themselves in discgrace following reveleation of their sexual peccadilloes (i.e., Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart). . . . The range of persons included is a testament to the pluralism of American religious expression. . . . Each of the profiles follows a four-part format consisting of biographical summary, appraisal of the subjects's contribution to popular religion, a survey of secondary literature, and a selected bibliography of primary and secondary works. The entries run from five to eight pages. The result is a collection of insightful essays, each highlighting the most significant formative experiences in its subject's life and analyzing his or her influence on religious institutions and sentiments.-Reference Books Bulletin
This collection of 62 portraits provides an overview of the leading personalities of a North American phenomenon: popular religion that exists outside the denominational mainstream, is usually media-based, and depends upon the individual charisma of its leaders. Each entry includes a biography, appraisal, survey of criticism, and bibliography. Personalities range from Pat Robertson to Malcolm X, from Aimee Semple McPherson to the Berrigan brothers. The work even makes a strong case for ist inclusion of John Foster Dulles and Sinclair Lewis.-Library Journal
To this reader, the most useful essays are those dealing with lesser-known individuals whose biographies did indeed shape their contributions to American religious life (e.g., Armstrong, the Gaithers, Hagin, Kuhlman, and the La Hayes). A reference tool, primarily for libraries.-Religious Studies Review
"The media coverage of the scandals linked to Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggert in 1987 and 1988 accentuated a development already well underway: a growing interest in American popular religion. As the publication of Peter W. Williams's groundbreaking Popular Religion in America (CH, Jul '80) made clear, this interest is evident among scholars in the fields of American history and religion as well as among the general public. The volume under review supplements Williams's book by providing biographical and bibliographical information on more than 60 individuals who have influenced popular religion in North America during the 20th century. This alphabetically arranged book comprises an ecumenical array of leaders and prophets, from William Aberhart to Wovoka. It achieves a balance between early 20th-century figures (e.g., Bruce Barton, Mordecai Kaplan, and Marcus Garvey) and later luminaries (e.g., Kathryn Kuhlman, Harvey Cox, and Morris West). Those familiar with the uneven quality of existing biographies and autobiographies of modern American religious celebrities will be especially grateful for the critical comments and reliable information in this engaging volume. Appropriate for graduate students, undergraduates, and general readers."-Choice
"This collection of 62 portraits provides an overview of the leading personalities of a North American phenomenon: popular religion that exists outside the denominational mainstream, is usually media-based, and depends upon the individual charisma of its leaders. Each entry includes a biography, appraisal, survey of criticism, and bibliography. Personalities range from Pat Robertson to Malcolm X, from Aimee Semple McPherson to the Berrigan brothers. The work even makes a strong case for ist inclusion of John Foster Dulles and Sinclair Lewis."-Library Journal
"To this reader, the most useful essays are those dealing with lesser-known individuals whose biographies did indeed shape their contributions to American religious life (e.g., Armstrong, the Gaithers, Hagin, Kuhlman, and the La Hayes). A reference tool, primarily for libraries."-Religious Studies Review
"The title Twentieth-Century Shapers of American Popular Religion indicates this text's distinctive temporal and topical scope. The 69 people profiled by 25 contributors, most of them academics, were selected for their influence on audiences that cut across denominations and faith traditions to include ordinary men and women of every religious affiliation and no affiliation at all.' In nearly all cases, successful use of mass media was a key ingredient in their ability to reach these broad audiences. Many of the subjects thrive today; a few, however, find themselves in discgrace following reveleation of their sexual peccadilloes (i.e., Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart). . . . The range of persons included is a testament to the pluralism of American religious expression. . . . Each of the profiles follows a four-part format consisting of biographical summary, appraisal of the subjects's contribution to popular religion, a survey of secondary literature, and a selected bibliography of primary and secondary works. The entries run from five to eight pages. The result is a collection of insightful essays, each highlighting the most significant formative experiences in its subject's life and analyzing his or her influence on religious institutions and sentiments."-Reference Books Bulletin

Author Bio

CHARLES H. LIPPY is Professor of Religion and History at Clemson University. The author of books on religion in the South and on Charles Chauncy, he is, with Peter Williams, editor of the Encyclopedia of the American Religious Experience. Lippy edited Religious Periodicals of the United States for Greenwood Press.