Is it possible that American Christians hold to two distinct sets of beliefs and values without knowing the difference? One is a Christian set, which is openly affirmed every Sunday; the other is an American set, which is more hidden within the forms of our popular entertainment culture. Through mediums like Westerns, country music, and detective novels, John Nelson explains how we internalize our American values without even knowing it. This book is largely intended for preachers who, of all people, should realize how American Christians internalize both sets of values without understanding the contradictions. The purpose of this book is to help preachers and congregations alike recognize the differences in order to account for them in preaching as well as in the church's life in community. ""John Nelson brings first-rate theological scholarship to bear on American popular culture, unpacking operative belief systems in a way that is bound to stimulate the imagination of the working preacher."" --John McClure, Vanderbilt Divinity School ""Nelson is able to see into our lives in ways that illuminate our preaching and our life in religious communities."" --Don Mackenzie, UCC Pastor, Seattle John Wiley Nelson is retired and living in Cape Cod. He was formerly Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (1969-79) and Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Trenton, New Jersey (1979-98). He is a graduate of the University of Chicago (PhD, 1971). He is a singer-songwriter with eight albums of original music.