{"product_id":"ptl-the-rise-and-fall-of-jim-and-tammy-faye-bakkers-evangelical-empire-9780199379712","title":"PTL: The Rise and Fall of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's Evangelical Empire","description":"In 1974 Jim and Tammy Bakker launched their television show, the\u003cem\u003e PTL Club\u003c\/em\u003e, from a former furniture store in Charlotte, N.C. with half a dozen friends. By 1987 they stood at the center of a ministry empire that included their own satellite network, a 2300-acre theme park visited by six million people a year, and millions of adoring fans. The Bakkers led a life of conspicuous consumption perfectly aligned with the prosperity gospel they preached. They bought vacation homes, traveled first-class with an entourage and proclaimed that God wanted everyone to be healthy and wealthy. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhen it all fell apart, after revelations of a sex scandal and massive financial mismanagement, all of America watched more than two years of federal investigation and trial as Jim was eventually convicted on 24 counts of fraud and conspiracy. He would go on to serve five years in federal prison. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cem\u003ePTL\u003c\/em\u003e is more than just the spectacular story of the rise and fall of the Bakkers, John Wigger traces their lives from humble beginnings to wealth, fame, and eventual disgrace. At its core, PTL is the story of a group of people committed to religious innovation, who pushed the boundaries of evangelical religion's engagement with American culture. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDrawing on trial transcripts, videotapes, newspaper articles, and interviews with key insiders, dissidents, and lawyers, Wigger reveals the power of religion to redirect American culture. This is the story of a grand vision gone wrong, of the power of big religion in American life and its limits.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Wigger \u003c\/strong\u003eis Professor of History at the University of Missouri. His research focuses on American religious and cultural history. He is the author of \u003cem\u003eAmerican Saint\u003c\/em\u003e (OUP 2009) and \u003cem\u003eTaking Heaven by Storm\u003c\/em\u003e (OUP 1998).\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Oxford University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50513950834962,"sku":"9780199379712","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_a7dea329-b9f2-4a88-87cd-e68064546591.jpg?v=1730969069","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/ptl-the-rise-and-fall-of-jim-and-tammy-faye-bakkers-evangelical-empire-9780199379712","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}