Molly Worthen on Being Spellbinding

The Russell Moore Show

Christianity Today, Russell Moore

Religion & Spirituality, Christianity

4.8 • 914 Ratings

🗓️ 28 May 2025

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

What do Albert Einstein, the Jesus People, and Donald Trump all have in common? According to historian and journalist Molly Worthen, they’re all part of a surprising American story about the strange, magnetic force we call charisma. In this episode, Russell Moore sits down with Worthen to explore the themes of her new book, Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History, and why understanding charisma may be the key to understanding American religion, politics, and even ourselves. From revival tents to campaign rallies to cable news sets, Worthen tracks five distinct types of charisma that have shaped our country’s imagination—from JFK to your local megachurch pastor. Why do some people command a room without saying a word, while others say everything and still lose the crowd? Moore and Worthen dig into the seduction and danger of charisma, its role in religious experience, and how it can drive both conversion and cults of personality. They also reflect on Worthen’s own journey from atheism to faith, and why figures such as Tim Keller and J.D. Greear played unexpected roles in that story. Plus: the only time Russell Moore has ever found himself in a room full of unconscious people, all but him on the floor—and what that has to do with spiritual longing. If you’ve ever wondered why we’re drawn to certain voices, movements, or personalities—and how those forces shape the American soul—this conversation will leave you thinking, and maybe even unsettled. Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: Spellbound by Molly Worthen Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription to CT magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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1:01.1	You can't join a human institution or group and not be faced with a legacy of depravity.
1:09.2	That's just what it is.
1:22.3	Music a legacy of depravity. That's just what it is. Hello, this is Russell Moore, and you're listening to the Russell Moore show brought to you by Christianity today.
1:28.3	Every week, we explore here conversations and questions from a Christian perspective to help you sort out how
1:34.8	to live as a follower of Jesus in confusing times. This week, we have a conversation to seek to do just that. I once found myself one of two people left standing while everyone else in the room was on the floor writhing.
2:01.6	It wasn't a drug event, wasn't a drunken party.
2:06.6	It was a revival meeting.
2:09.6	I was a youth pastor and there was a young woman in our youth group who had started going to this revival that started going through the country
2:20.0	at the time featured a lot of strange manifestations, laughing, barking, and so forth. And so I wanted
2:30.4	to go so that I would know how to help her. And so a friend of mine and I went,
2:36.9	and we sat through this service where the evangelist stood up and said some really
2:44.7	theologically wacky things, but I felt myself mesmerized by everything that he said all the way through to
2:53.8	the altar call. And after that, he started giving directions to people as to what they were going
	...

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