A book that helped me contextualize my Sunday morning experiences of watching T.D. Jakes on television.
Watch This!
The Ethics and Aesthetics of Black Televangelism
by Jonathan Walton
Through their constant television broadcasts, mass video distributions, and printed publications, African American religious broadcasters have a seemingly ubiquitous presence in popular culture. They are on par with popular entertainers and athletes in the African American community as cultural icons even as they are criticized by others for taking advantage of the devout in order to subsidize their lavish lifestyles.
For these reasons questions abound. Do televangelists proclaim the message of the gospel or a message of greed? Do they represent the "authentic" voice of the black church or the Christian Right in blackface? Does the phenomenon reflect orthodox "Christianity" or ethnocentric "Americaninity" wrapped in religious language?
Watch This! seeks to move beyond such polarizing debates by critically delving into the dominant messages and aesthetic styles of African American televangelists and evaluating their ethical implications.
You can read a free online copy of the entire introductory chapter courtesy NYU Press by clicking here. Also here.
Review:
"This book is the best work we have on the complex dynamics of the Black megachurch phenomenon. Walton is a brilliant cultural critic and courageous prophetic voice!"
- Cornel West, Princeton University
About the author: Jonathan L. Walton is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at the University of California, Riverside.
I'm sorry Franke this is one book that I do not need to read in order to gain insight on this subject. I have a huge issue with the mega church blueprint and I am not going to go there but seeing T.D Jakes working with President Bush confirmed what I already knew about some black pastors that dates back since black churches were formed. Let's be real Franke, you honestly think that the man behind the curtain is going to allow a "preacher' to be on television unless he was promoting an ideology to the mass people he was reaching. God bo you just don't know how much I really want to say about the state of the church in general but ill save that for another time.
Posted by
Anonymous |
6/21/2009
I like Bishop Jakes to some point,
my big mama took me to a large
"show" he had awhile ago and his
message was not hateful. Mass
churches provide something the
little corner churches hav stopped
doing,entertaining while delivering
the word...my moms church is so
strict..many sleep doing her pastors offerings...in the end.
I lik TV church...manchild
Posted by
Anonymous |
6/21/2009
I had this moment last night! I was encouraged
Posted by
life |
6/24/2009