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Rapture Ready!: Adventures in the Parallel Universe of Christian Pop Culture
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Average Rating:  out of 24 Reviews
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Price: $25.00
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Sale: $5.75
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Manufacturer: Scribner
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EAN (European Article Number): 9780743297707
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Number of Items: 1
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Binding: Hardcover
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Author: Daniel Radosh
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Publisher: Scribner
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Dewey Decimal Number: 261.0973
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Publication Date: 2008-04-08
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Reading Level: 320
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Description: What does it mean when a band is judged by how hard they pray rather than how hard they rock? Would Jesus buy "Jesus junk" or wear "witness wear"? What do Christian skate parks, raves, and romance novels say about evangelicalism -- and America? Daniel Radosh went searching for the answers and reached some surprising conclusions. Written with the perfect blend of amusement and respect, Rapture Ready! is an insightful, entertaining, and deeply weird journey through the often hidden world of Christian pop culture. This vast and influential subculture -- a $7 billion industry and growing -- can no longer be ignored by those who want to understand the social, spiritual, and political aspirations of evangelical Christians. In eighteen cities and towns throughout thirteen states -- from the Bible Belt to the outskirts of Hollywood -- Radosh encounters a fascinating cast of characters, including Bibleman, the Caped Christian; Rob Adonis, the founder and star of Ultimate Christian Wrestling; Ken Ham, the nation's leading prophet of creationism; and Jay Bakker, the son of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, and pastor of his own liberal, punk rock church. From Christian music festivals and theme parks to Passion plays and comedy nights, Radosh combines gonzo reporting with a keen eye for detail and just the right touch of wit. Rapture Ready! is a revealing survey of a parallel universe and a unique perspective on one of America's most important social movements.
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Customer Reviews
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Review Summary: Insightful and Hilarious |
Date: 2008-11-15 |
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Details: The first time Daniel Radosh realizes he's not in secular Kansas anymore is when he hears a rock concert attendee judging bands by the number of times they pray during their set. He's at a Christian rock festival, and his journey into what he calls "the parallel universe of Christian pop culture" only gets weirder as he visits Christian amusement parks, hears Christian stand-up comics, and watches Christian pro wrestling (!).
Radosh, a self-described "liberal New York Jew" in his mid-thirties, may seem an unlikely guide to Christian sub-culture, but it is exactly this "outsider" status that gives him such an interesting perspective. A wry observer who ably captures the absurdity of what he encounters, he is also a careful thinker, and when he turns from describing people and events to drawing conclusions about what he's seen, it's hard to ignore his calm, thoughtful arguments.
The humor, for the most part, is comfortably sardonic; Radosh usually resists taking cheap shots at his subjects. He rarely indicts anyone for doing what they think is right, though he is willing to argue that what they think is right (Bibleman, hell houses) might not actually be best. When he is done portraying the strangeness and silliness that sometimes afflict Christian pop culture, Radosh is not afraid to admit admirable qualities of the same, or suggest that Christian and secular culture can learn and benefit from each other. It is this restraint and respect that ultimately make the book so appealing.
It's understandable if evangelicalism, which sometimes wields an odd mix of good intentions and fire-and-brimstone theology, makes some in the non-evangelical world wary. "Rapture Ready!" may help bridge the gap. Radosh has delivered a cogent, honest appraisal that deserves to be read and considered by those on both sides.
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Review Summary: Would have given in 5 starts but... |
Date: 2008-09-25 |
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Details: This book is a must for any Christian to read. It's more about the evangelical culture of which I was a part of for many years. The most relevant to me was his encounter with Christian music. I have been more "transformational" in my taste for quite some time and if I had the money, I would have my own radio station to include that type of music and many other genres.
I laughed at loud when he describes a comic's take on the Christian fish symbols verses the Darwin fish! I would love to hear more of THAT kind of comedy.
The only part that was a big dragged down was the authors views on abstinance... or his portayal of the Christian view. I was dissapointed in the lack of fairness to a more "transoformational" view that many of us have. I didn't think a "whole" view of that was given as some of the other chapters had.
All in all, I loved this book and would again HIGHLY recommend it to other Christians! It will make some angry, others laugh, but definitely move us th think about how we live out our lives as believers. |
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Review Summary: Entertaining and insightful |
Date: 2008-07-29 |
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Details: Daniel Radosh is a secular Jew from New York who explores the world of Christian pop culture in his recent book "Rapture Ready! Adventures in the Parallel Universe of Christian Pop Culture." With a combination of thoughtful critique, appreciation, good humor and above all graciousness, Radosh chronicles his year-long experience exploring the Evangelical subculture in America. A true outsider, Radosh immerses himself in the good, the bad, and the ugly of this sometimes bizarre world. Among other things, Radosh describes his encounters with "Jesus junk," the Holy Land Experience, Christian romance novels, Bibleman, Stephen Baldwin, the Cornerstone music festival, Ultimate Christian Wrestling, Christian sex advice, creation museums, and even a Hell House. Seeking to understand this vast culture, Radosh does a fine job chronicling his experiences and offering some much needed outsider insight. I think this book is a must-read for Christians and non-Christians alike. Christians should read it for exposure to an outsider's perspective on this strange world, and non-Christians should read it to better understand the growing diversity of the Evangelical movement. Everyone can read it for an entertaining and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny look at a much talked about but little understood element of American culture.
When I started reading "Rapture Ready!" I was hoping for a funny and entertaining read, and in that regard I was not disappointed. However, I wasn't expecting such an insightful perspective, and I wouldn't have guessed I would finish the book feeling challenged to live differently. Now don't get me wrong, you probably shouldn't read this book looking for a life changing experience. Read it to be entertained. But don't be surprised if it challenges you to think seriously about your relationship to Evangelical culture (whether you are a Christian or not).
Radosh concludes his book with a call for greater interaction between the moderate and progressive elements of Evangelicalism and Radosh's own secular culture. He believes an increasing interaction between these oftentimes separate universes will prove helpful for everyone. I agree.
In short, I highly recommend this book as both an entertaining and insightful read. |
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Review Summary: Very insightful look at the good, the bad, and the funny of Christian Pop Culture. |
Date: 2008-07-18 |
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Details: I enjoyed this book a lot. Having been raised in a very strict religious household, this book made me shutter as it brought up painful memories that are obviously still in practice today. However, it also showed me that things could have been much wackier. The book is a wonderful mirror being held up to many of the current practices in much of Christian world today that seem to have forgotten the golden rule to love thy neighbor as thyself. But the book holds hope in that their are those who still follow this thesis and are pushing back at the current trend of hatefulness. Mr. Radosh is a great observer and can paint his observations on the page so vividly that I felt myself at each event he attended. I read this book on the New York subway to and from work each day and several times began laughing out loud to the annoyance and curiosity of those around me. I learn a lot of new things and had many gaps in my knowledge filled in. I highly recommend Rapture Ready! |
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Review Summary: Funny and Refreshing |
Date: 2008-07-02 |
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Details: Radosh is an outsider to this world of Christian pop culture, and his encounters are both humorous, well-informed and reflective. Without too much eye-rolling, he sincerely connects with the people behind such diverse entertainments as Bible Man and pro-wrestlers for Christ. Below the surface absurdities, Radosh uncovers the humanity of it all, and the often misunderstood and sometimes sinister implications. |
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