How Charisma Has Shaped American History and Church History with Molly Worthen

What happens when Americans lose faith in their religious institutions - and politicians fill the void? As you study the scope of American history - and church history in America - you see an interesting connection to charisma. Charismatic leaders rise to prominence and galvanize a following. From the puritans and Andrew Jackson to black nationalists and Donald trump, the saga of American charisma stars figures who possess a bewildering power to move crowds. Charismatic leaders address spiritual needs, inviting followers into a story that gives them knowledge, power, and heroic status, whether as divinely chosen instruments of God or those who will restore national glory.

This is the subject of historian Molly Worthen’s new book Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History From the Puritans to Donald Trump. Molly is a professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a freelance journalist. She teaches courses on North American religion and politics, global Christianity, and the history of ideas. Suffice it to say she is brilliant.

I wanted to talk to Molly because her new book feels relevant to our current political climate, but also because charisma the personality trait and charisma the power of the Holy Spirit - is important to understand church history. It’s also important to understand worship and church and the gatherings that we lead.

Topics Covered:

• The declining trust in institutions from 1970 until now
• The difference between charisma and charm
• The charismatic leaders of 20th century religious revivals
• The rise of hyper partisan politics in the American Church
• What we can learn from the life and politics of Charlie Kirk

Resources Mentioned:

• Show Sponsor: Planning Center
• Spell-Bound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump by Molly Worthen

Show Sponsor:

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