In this Book
- Superchurch: The Rhetoric and Politics of American Fundamentalism
- Book
- 2015
- Published by: Michigan State University Press
- Series: Rhetoric & Public Affairs
summary
Christian Fundamentalism is a doctrine and a discourse in tension. Fundamentalists describe themselves as both marginal and a majority. They announce the imminent end of the world while building massive megachurches and political lobbying organizations. They speak of the need for purity and separation from the outside world while continually innovating in their search for more effective and persuasive ways to communicate with and convert outsiders. To many outsiders, Fundamentalist speech seems contradictory, irrational, intolerant, and dangerously antidemocratic. To understand the complexity of Fundamentalism, we have to look inside the tensions and the paradoxes. We have to take seriously the ways in which Fundamentalists describe themselves to themselves, and to do that, we must begin by exploring the central role of “the church” in Fundamentalist rhetoric and politics. Drawing on five fascinating case studies, Superchurch blends a complex yet readable treatment of rhetorical and political theory with a sophisticated approach to Fundamentalism that neither dismisses its appeal nor glosses over its irresolvable tensions. Edwards challenges theories of rhetoric, counterpublics, deliberation, and civility while offering critical new insights into the evolution and continuing influence of one of the most significant cultural and political movements of the past century.
Table of Contents
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- Acknowledgments
- pp. vii-viii
- Introduction
- pp. ix-xviii
- Chapter Four. The Superchurch Revealed
- pp. 79-110
- Chapter Five. The Superchurch Reimagined
- pp. 111-142
- Chapter Six. The Limits of Accommodation
- pp. 143-172
- Conclusion
- pp. 173-184
- Bibliography
- pp. 219-240
Additional Information
ISBN
9781609174477
Related ISBN(s)
9781611861594, 9781628951707, 9781628961706
MARC Record
OCLC
903448461
Pages
268
Launched on MUSE
2015-02-14
Language
English
Open Access
No
Copyright
2015