Religion and the Media in America is a valuable contribution to our understanding of how media and religion have always been linked, and are present in generating social, cultural, and political forces today.

Reading Religion

Overall, Hatcher effectively reinforces how religious narratives touch upon our social experience as Christian voices engage media industries in a world of technological innovation and commodification. One is also reminded of how substantially religion is embedded in American politics. This book could be used to introduce students to specific cases of the various Christian actors whose voices shape America and its social history. I would especially recommend the first chapter on Barber and the last chapter on religious satire.

Journal for Religion, Film and Media

Christian faith really is about media in the 21st Century. And Hatcher seamlessly outlines the paradox—a ubiquity of media options available to explore and understand one’s Christian faith, laid alongside a growing lack of grasp on where the subcultures of Christian faith experience came from. Yes, Christianity began in North America via the printed word stuffed in saddlebags of circuit-riding preachers. From the printed page it became radio, TV, film, eventually digital messages and social media. But what is Christian faith? And why do media and audiences respond to it as they do? Hatcher walks us into the mystery, suggesting some answers but beckoning us to better questions.

Michael A. Longinow, Biola University