Saved by the City

Holy Rizz and the Power of Hype + Molly Worthen


Listen Later

Beware the charismatic pastor?

America has long had a love affair with celebrity — be that of the Hollywood variety or the political ilk. From superstar athletes to celebrity chefs, their woo is not wasted on us. And the history of American Christianity was shaped by men (and a few women) who possessed that irresistible gravitational pull. They held evangelistic revivals, founded denominations and even new religions, and inspired movements. They also sometimes amassed huge amounts of personal wealth, had scandalous affairs and led their followers to commit deadly acts. Charisma has been a powerful tool in the American church and on this episode of the podcast, Katelyn and Roxy talk to historian Molly Worthen about how that tool has been used for good and evil ... and how charismatic politicians have begun to fill the void as religion declines.

Plus: we take a personal Rizz Quiz

GUEST:

  • Molly Worthen is a professor of history at the University of North Carolina, where she focuses on North American religious and intellectual history. She is the author most recently of Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Saved by the CityBy Religion News Service

    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8

    4.8

    119 ratings


    More shows like Saved by the City

    View all
    The Russell Moore Show by Christianity Today, Russell Moore

    The Russell Moore Show

    1,084 Listeners

    The Holy Post by Phil Vischer

    The Holy Post

    4,420 Listeners

    Faith Adjacent by The Popcast Media Group

    Faith Adjacent

    5,160 Listeners

    Truce - History of the Christian Church by Chris Staron

    Truce - History of the Christian Church

    351 Listeners

    Religion on the Mind by Dan Koch

    Religion on the Mind

    526 Listeners

    Bare Marriage by Sheila Gregoire

    Bare Marriage

    1,248 Listeners

    The Roys Report by Julie Roys

    The Roys Report

    799 Listeners

    No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp by Tokens Media

    No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp

    547 Listeners

    Good Faith by Good Faith

    Good Faith

    1,931 Listeners

    The Bulletin by Christianity Today

    The Bulletin

    548 Listeners

    Curiously Kaitlyn by Kaitlyn Schiess

    Curiously Kaitlyn

    834 Listeners

    The SkyePod by Skye Jethani

    The SkyePod

    133 Listeners

    The Esau McCaulley Podcast by Esau McCaulley

    The Esau McCaulley Podcast

    658 Listeners

    The Convocation Unscripted by Diana Butler Bass, Kristin Du Mez, Robert P. Jones, and Jemar Tisby

    The Convocation Unscripted

    57 Listeners

    Sons of Patriarchy by Peter Bell

    Sons of Patriarchy

    630 Listeners