Beyond the Bible: Creationism in U.S. Evangelical Media and Institutions

Abstract

This research project focuses on American Evangelicalism and specifically on the theory of creationism, its development, and its depiction in contemporary Evangelical media and institutions such as television, children’s literature, and museums. The methodology employed is the discourse analysis of Evangelical resources for families, particularly school-age children, and preadolescents, often in contrast to the scientific theory of evolution. These materials are designed to teach children about God’s intelligent design and educate them according to their family’s religious beliefs. Historically contextualized, these sources also show, on one side, the Evangelicals’ attempt at evolving and adapting to a changing country, but, on the other, their vocal effort to legitimize the priority of religion in American society fully.