Disciples of White Jesus: The Radicalization of American Boyhood
Angela Denker
Broadleaf Books, 256 pages
Published March 25, 2025
Like Angela Denker, I am a pastor and parent of two boys. So I was drawn to the shocking, yet unsurprising title, Disciples of White Jesus. Denker explores the rise in the radicalization of young White men in America, wondering about the role of right-wing Christianity. By visiting places such as The Citadel (a military academy) and churches, like the one where pastor Mark Driscoll “depict(s) an angry, violent God,” Denker connects these teachings to acts of violence.
Most heartbreaking is her research into Dylann Roof, who massacred nine Black Christians after joining them for Bible study. While Roof remains unrepentant, his family’s pastor, who preaches a loving and inclusive gospel, is ashamed and confused. Was it simply Roof’s status as an outsider, lacking in friends or a positive sense of self that led him to be radicalized online? Could more regular participation in his Lutheran church have in some way inoculated him, leaving him less susceptible to hateful ideologies?
While Denker isn’t prescriptive, these stories highlight those who offer a more excellent way: Parents who encourage their sons’ vulnerability, pastors who invite openness rather than fear, teachers who show middle school boys how to regulate their own emotions, and individuals who have found grace-filled Christian communities. She believes that the stories will save us. “The best care is forged in relationship,” she writes, and so perhaps those of us in a position to nurture young men and boys will find inspiration and tangible approaches in Disciples of White Jesus.Like Angela Denker, I am a pastor and parent of two boys. So I was drawn to the shocking, yet unsurprising title, Disciples of White Jesus. Denker explores the rise in the radicalization of young White men in America, wondering about the role of right-wing Christianity. By visiting places such as The Citadel (a military academy) and churches, like the one where pastor Mark Driscoll “depict(s) an angry, violent God,” Denker connects these teachings to acts of violence.
Presbyterian Outlook supports local bookstores. Join us! Click on the link below to purchase Disciples of White Jesus from BookShop, an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. As an affiliate, Outlook will also earn a commission from your purchase.
Want to receive book-related content in your inbox once a month? Sign up here.
