Fundamentalism in America: Millennialism, Identity and Militant

In this review of Fundamentalism in America, the reader will find a sober, scholarly account aimed at students, researchers and thoughtful readers curious about religious identity in modern United States life. Philip Melling challenges the common portrayal of fundamentalism as mere paranoia and xenophobia, arguing instead that it draws on longstanding evangelical and millenialist scripture to engage core spiritual and ethical questions of postmodernity. The book's broad survey of prophecy, sermon, film and fiction makes it a useful single-volume resource for understanding the rhetoric and cultural expressions of religious fundamentalism.

Key Features

• Historical perspective: Melling traces continuities between evangelical and millenialist traditions and contemporary fundamentalist rhetoric, helping readers see roots rather than isolated phenomena.
• Media analysis: The book examines Cold War films, television evangelism and cross-border texts to show how fundamentalist themes appear across popular culture.
• Literary and prophetic sources: Close readings of prophecy literature and fiction reveal how apocalyptic and nationalist motifs shape identity claims.
• Wide-ranging scope: By covering sermon, film, fiction and the rhetoric of the New World Order, the book connects disparate cultural texts into a coherent account.
• Contemporary relevance: The study links historical scriptural traditions to ethical debates of postmodernity, offering a framework for current discussions about religion and nationality.

Who It's For

Scholars of religion, graduate students in theology or American studies, and readers interested in the intersection of media and belief will find this book particularly valuable. Its analytic focus suits coursework or research that needs a thematic treatment of prophecy, identity and cultural expression within American fundamentalism.

Readers seeking an introductory primer for casual reading or a devotional text should look elsewhere; this is an analytic, critical study rather than a how-to or devotional work. Those wanting statistical sociological surveys or contemporary polling data may also need to supplement this volume with empirical studies.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Brings historical depth to contemporary debates by linking evangelical traditions to modern fundamentalist rhetoric.
• Effective cross-media readings demonstrate how religious themes permeate film, television and literature.
• Provides a clear interpretive framework useful for seminars and research on religion and nationality.

Cons

• Focused literary and rhetorical analysis means readers looking for empirical social science data will need additional sources.

Specifications

Title	Fundamentalism in America: Millennialism, Identity and Militant Religion
Series	America in the 20th Century Series
Author	Philip Melling
Subject focus	Evangelical and millenialist scripture, prophecy, film and fiction
Scope	Rhetoric of New World Order, television evangelism, cross-border texts
Intended audience	Scholars, students, readers of religion and cultural studies

Our Verdict

Fundamentalism in America is a well-argued, wide-ranging study that will repay readers who want to move beyond caricatures of fundamentalism and understand its scriptural, literary and media expressions. For students and researchers it offers strong value as a synthetic, interpretive resource on religion and national identity in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book focus on contemporary political movements?
It emphasizes cultural and rhetorical expressions-prophecy, film, television and literature-rather than detailed political chronologies.

Is the book suitable for undergraduate courses?
Yes, especially in upper-level courses on religion, American studies or media and culture where critical analysis is required.

Does the author offer primary source readings?
Yes, Melling reads prophecy literature, sermons and media texts to support his arguments about continuity and identity formation.