Senator Josh Hawley is running for reelection and writing a new book titled "The Awakenings: The Religious Revivals that Made America - and Why We Need Another One," as confirmed by his publisher.

Hawley, viewed as a potential future presidential candidate, advocates for a populist direction in the GOP and strongly supports Christianity in the U.S. His previous book, "Manhood," featured numerous Biblical references.

Misrepresentation and Controversial Claims

In a February essay for "First Things," he asserted that Christianity is integral to the United States and that the country is essentially a Christian one, with American liberties, rights, and ideals derived from and upheld by Biblical tradition.

A critic from The Public Witness noted that the essay displays a flawed understanding of U.S. history and misrepresents Christianity. It promotes Christian nationalism using peculiar arguments and logical fallacies.

Hawley faced allegations of promoting Christian nationalism in July 2023 after tweeting a quote wrongly attributed to Founding Father Patrick Henry, suggesting that the United States was founded 'on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.' The controversy stemmed from Hawley's Independence Day tweet, which misquoted Henry.

Critics pointed out that the quote likely originated from a 1956 magazine with a history of espousing antisemitic and White nationalist views. Despite the backlash, Hawley did not delete the tweet and instead accused liberals of being upset by the link between the Bible and America's founding.

READ ALSO: Lawyer Talmage Boston's New Book 'How the Best Did It' Reveals Leadership Insights From America's Top Presidents

Hawley's book "Manhood" received mixed to negative reviews. Critics described it as whiny, filled with misogyny, and ironic, given Hawley's actions during the January 6 Capitol riot. It holds a low rating of 1.26 stars on Goodreads, with many reviewers attacking the book even before its release. However, it has a higher rating of 3.8 stars on ThriftBooks, though some reviews appear sarcastic​.

According to The Guardian, Hawley criticizes Andrew Tate's toxic masculinity in his book but remains silent on Donald Trump's controversial remarks. Hawley blames 'Epicurean liberals' for American men's failures, selectively quoting scripture and philosophers. He criticized Isaiah Berlin's concepts of liberty while defending his own rights, complaining about Simon & Schuster's refusal to publish his previous book, which Regnery later published.

Previous Works and Publishing History

In October 2023, Hawley secured a book deal with Regnery Publishing, requiring a manuscript to be completed by January 2025. Regnery published "The Tyranny of Big Tech" in 2021. Simon and Schuster had initially agreed to publish the book. That agreement was canceled when he disputed Pennsylvania's 2020 electoral college outcome. While serving as Chief Justice John Roberts' Supreme Court clerk in 2008, Hawley also penned a book about Theodore Roosevelt.

Writing books is a common way for prominent senators to boost their earnings. In 2022, six senators earned more than their standard salaries through book deals. Senator Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, was among them, earning a significant amount during a book tour before his reelection campaign. Hawley disclosed that he received $127,500 in book royalties for 2023; it is unclear if this includes an advance for his upcoming book. In 2021, he earned $467,000 in book royalties.

RELATED ARTICLE: New Book 'The Exvangelicals' Explains the Growing Departure From Evangelicalism