CH261: American Church History 2 — World Wars, Neo-Evangelicalism, and Civil Religion (1914–1960)

This episode examines the dramatic transformation of American Christianity from 1914 to 1960, a period defined by the shift from isolationist fundamentalism to a more engaged neo-evangelical renaissance. The text outlines how the horrors of total war dismantled early twentieth-century optimism, leading to the rise of Christian Realism and a postwar era where faith became a pillar of Cold War civil religion. By highlighting the influence of leaders like Billy Graham and Carl F.H. Henry, the source explains the construction of a tri-faith "Judeo-Christian" identity that served as a moral defense against secularism and communism. Finally, it addresses the complex racial dynamics of the era, acknowledging both the institutional complicity in segregation and the vital philanthropic support provided to Black educational and civil rights initiatives.This podcast was created with the assistance of AI tools.