King Jesus Saves Radio: A Case Study of New Technology in Early Christian Fundamentalism

Scholars have argued that history provides ample evidence of the eager embrace of new communication technologies by Christian fundamentalists and evangelicals in the United States. However, closer examination of the first Christian fundamentalist venture into the technology of radio in the US reveal...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Classen, Steven D. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group 2022
In: Journal of media and religion
Year: 2022, Volume: 21, Issue: 3, Pages: 125-138
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B USA / Fundamentalism / Evangelical movement / Radio / Acceptance / Evangelization / History 1920-1924
IxTheo Classification:CD Christianity and Culture
CH Christianity and Society
KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history
KBQ North America
KDD Protestant Church
KDG Free church
RH Evangelization; Christian media
ZG Media studies; Digital media; Communication studies
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:Scholars have argued that history provides ample evidence of the eager embrace of new communication technologies by Christian fundamentalists and evangelicals in the United States. However, closer examination of the first Christian fundamentalist venture into the technology of radio in the US reveals the ambivalence and anxieties of key leaders as they considered and adopted use of the new medium. This study, based on careful analysis of archival and press materials from the 1920s, reveals a “restless” adoption of radio that articulated the “menace” as well as the promise of the technology. While wondering aloud about radio’s shortcomings and dangers, faith leaders justified their uncertain investment in the new medium by employing discourses of conversion alongside an evangelistic entrepreneurism connected to the growing consumerism of the time.
ISSN:1534-8415
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of media and religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/15348423.2022.2095798