Reviews
Rapture Ready!: Adventures in the Parallel Universe of Christian Pop Culture by Daniel Radosh
wayoflife's review against another edition
Rapture Ready!: Adventures in the Parallel Universe of Christian Pop Culture by Daniel Radosh (2008)
smemmott's review against another edition
3.0
Often entertaining. I think many of the chapters felt like they stood on their own, so I dipped in and out a bit, and didn't read every chapter. Though Radosh pulls it together at the end - his Christian-pop-culture-tourist experience leads him to conclude that Christian media and culture skews more conservative than the Christian population. And therefore, that bridging the gap between Christian/general culture would help 1) encourage more liberal Christian cultural expression, and 2) bring greater understanding between Christians and non-Christians.
editrixie's review against another edition
5.0
When I first added this to my to-read queue, I thought it would probably be a smartass look at those wacky evangelicals and their Left Behind beliefs, perhaps in the vein of A.J. Jacobs or John Moe. Rapture Ready! was better researched and quite a bit more thoughtful than that, I was surprised to discover. Daniel Radosh explores various aspects of contemporary Christian pop culture with genuine intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness, and humor that sets it apart.
While some may find Radosh's personal viewpoints to be distracting or irrelevant, I welcomed his outsider perspective (with one exception, Radosh is upfront with the people he interviews about his Jewish faith) and forthrightness about the personal differences between some of his interview subjects and himself on topics such as assisted reproductive technology (his daughter was conceived via IVF). With the exception of his participation in a Passion Play in the Ozarks with a heavy “Christ killer” point of view, he is upfront about being Jewish with his subjects — eliciting enthusiastic reactions from most of the people he meets. At a comedy showcase, he writes:
Among other antecedents to contemporary Christian popular culture, Radosh examines the origins of the Rapture movement, which in the 1830s grew out of Irish pastor John Nelson Darby’s theories about what Radosh calls a “Get Out of Tribulation Free Card for Christians.” Darby’s ideas didn’t take hold in the US until Cyrus I. Scofield’s 1909 annotated edition of the Bible was published in 1909. I’d had no idea that evangelicals’ belief in the Rapture -— and the overwhelmingly successful Left Behind book series — was based on Scofield’s annotations and not Scripture itself.
I was especially interested in Radosh’s examination of Christian pop music, which he describes as falling into three categories: separationist, which defines itself in contrast to secular pop; integrationist, which seeks to sway non-Christians into being saved; and transitional, which focuses first on artistic merits and often portrays a more conflicted take on faith. Transitional artists, including David Bazan of Pedro the Lion, write about personal struggles with spirituality and belief.
Radosh’s sense of humor might not be for everyone. (Wondering how Christian standups might handle hecklers, he imagines “How’d you like it if I came to where you work and forgave you?”) But I enjoyed his wit, even when it was borne out of vitriol: when “actor” and skateboard tour impresario Stephen Baldwin reneges on a promised interview, Radosh conducts a fake one around quotes from Baldwin’s book The Unusual Suspect. A sample:
I was fascinated to learn that the breadth and diversity of Christian pop culture goes way beyond pop music, purveyors of “Jesus junk,” and the Creationist Museum. In what might be a corollary to Rule 34 (“If it exists, there is porn of it”), the book demonstrates that there’s probably a Christian version of it as well. Radosh interviews superheroes (Bibleman, the Caped Christian), evangelical stand-up comics, Christian pro wrestlers, electronic dance music DJs at Christian raves, and the organizer of an “Intimate Issues conference” and other purveyors of Christian sex advice.
If you’re intrigued enough to read Rapture Ready! — and I hope you will be — you’ll probably want to check out his accompanying website at www.getraptureready.com, which is chock-full of audio, video, and links to excerpts from books and sites he mentions.
While some may find Radosh's personal viewpoints to be distracting or irrelevant, I welcomed his outsider perspective (with one exception, Radosh is upfront with the people he interviews about his Jewish faith) and forthrightness about the personal differences between some of his interview subjects and himself on topics such as assisted reproductive technology (his daughter was conceived via IVF). With the exception of his participation in a Passion Play in the Ozarks with a heavy “Christ killer” point of view, he is upfront about being Jewish with his subjects — eliciting enthusiastic reactions from most of the people he meets. At a comedy showcase, he writes:
A gregarious blond woman grabbed my arm to tell me how much she identified with Jewish culture. “My Jewish friends say I’m more Jewish than anyone they know!” she exclaimed. I eyed the three-inch silver cross around her neck and said nothing.
Among other antecedents to contemporary Christian popular culture, Radosh examines the origins of the Rapture movement, which in the 1830s grew out of Irish pastor John Nelson Darby’s theories about what Radosh calls a “Get Out of Tribulation Free Card for Christians.” Darby’s ideas didn’t take hold in the US until Cyrus I. Scofield’s 1909 annotated edition of the Bible was published in 1909. I’d had no idea that evangelicals’ belief in the Rapture -— and the overwhelmingly successful Left Behind book series — was based on Scofield’s annotations and not Scripture itself.
I was especially interested in Radosh’s examination of Christian pop music, which he describes as falling into three categories: separationist, which defines itself in contrast to secular pop; integrationist, which seeks to sway non-Christians into being saved; and transitional, which focuses first on artistic merits and often portrays a more conflicted take on faith. Transitional artists, including David Bazan of Pedro the Lion, write about personal struggles with spirituality and belief.
Radosh’s sense of humor might not be for everyone. (Wondering how Christian standups might handle hecklers, he imagines “How’d you like it if I came to where you work and forgave you?”) But I enjoyed his wit, even when it was borne out of vitriol: when “actor” and skateboard tour impresario Stephen Baldwin reneges on a promised interview, Radosh conducts a fake one around quotes from Baldwin’s book The Unusual Suspect. A sample:
Let’s talk about your hard-core lifestyle. Tell me about the first time you went into a Christian bookstore looking for something cool and exciting.
I walked out of the store disappointed and a little disillusioned. Rather than complain to the store clerk I decided to take it up with God. “Yo, God, what’s the deal here?” I said. This was sort of my own Ebonics version of the Lord’s Prayer.
Ha! You should have said “What the dilly-o.” That would have cracked him up.
That’s my message to the body of Christ in America: LIGHTEN UP!
I was fascinated to learn that the breadth and diversity of Christian pop culture goes way beyond pop music, purveyors of “Jesus junk,” and the Creationist Museum. In what might be a corollary to Rule 34 (“If it exists, there is porn of it”), the book demonstrates that there’s probably a Christian version of it as well. Radosh interviews superheroes (Bibleman, the Caped Christian), evangelical stand-up comics, Christian pro wrestlers, electronic dance music DJs at Christian raves, and the organizer of an “Intimate Issues conference” and other purveyors of Christian sex advice.
If you’re intrigued enough to read Rapture Ready! — and I hope you will be — you’ll probably want to check out his accompanying website at www.getraptureready.com, which is chock-full of audio, video, and links to excerpts from books and sites he mentions.
meganmme's review against another edition
4.0
I am, without a doubt, a person who lives a life far apart from Christian (or any religion, for that matter) pop culture. Noone in my family attends church regularly and I can count on one hand the number of I've actually been inside a church myself.
However, I'm incredibly intrigued by religion. Its something so pervasive yet so alien to my way of thinking. As soon as I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it--lickity split.
The author, a Jewish man with fairly liberal tendancies, immerses himself in Christian pop culture: attending concerts, going to creation museums and christian theme parks, and talking with pastors of all varieties as well as members of the churches he visits.
Is it a totally unbiased report on christian pop culture? absolutely not. The author brings his background and views with him as he writes but that is part of the fun of the book. Some of it is down right frightening in its conservatism but there are, surprisingly, a few hopeful notes.
I'd recommend this book to anyone. If you are a secularist, its a good laugh mixed with a certain amount of "they really aren't all crazy, maybe you shouldn't be so judgemental." If you are a Christian, its a good way to see yourself through the eyes of a secularist. You may think your creation museum is totally factual--but really? Most people think you are nuts to believe adam and eve rode around on domesticated dinosaurs.
I'd give it 5 stars but there are a few places where it does get a little slow...those are almost totally redeemed by the "interview" with stephen baldwin however. Those few pages alone are worth reading the book.
However, I'm incredibly intrigued by religion. Its something so pervasive yet so alien to my way of thinking. As soon as I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it--lickity split.
The author, a Jewish man with fairly liberal tendancies, immerses himself in Christian pop culture: attending concerts, going to creation museums and christian theme parks, and talking with pastors of all varieties as well as members of the churches he visits.
Is it a totally unbiased report on christian pop culture? absolutely not. The author brings his background and views with him as he writes but that is part of the fun of the book. Some of it is down right frightening in its conservatism but there are, surprisingly, a few hopeful notes.
I'd recommend this book to anyone. If you are a secularist, its a good laugh mixed with a certain amount of "they really aren't all crazy, maybe you shouldn't be so judgemental." If you are a Christian, its a good way to see yourself through the eyes of a secularist. You may think your creation museum is totally factual--but really? Most people think you are nuts to believe adam and eve rode around on domesticated dinosaurs.
I'd give it 5 stars but there are a few places where it does get a little slow...those are almost totally redeemed by the "interview" with stephen baldwin however. Those few pages alone are worth reading the book.
_mallc_'s review against another edition
5.0
Very good! Very interesting! He successfully kept an open-mind and did find some good elements of Christian culture existing alongside some of the stranger creations of American evangelism. The book was also really funny. I give it two thumbs up!
johnnyb1954's review against another edition
4.0
I read this a few years ago. A balanced, objective look at Modern Christian culture. Well written and amusing. Maybe a little dated by now.
jaclynday's review against another edition
4.0
This book was one of the suggestions in my 2013 Reading Challenge and I am so glad I included it. There are few books I've read that accurately and thoroughly capture the total weirdness that is Christian pop culture, but this one does it so well. I've mentioned before that I grew up in Christian schools and going to church with my family and I've personally seen or experienced so many similar things that Radosh covers in this book (sometimes to a lesser or even greater degree).
Christian pop culture is weird to outsiders. It seems contradictory, cheesy and strange. But it's a huge business. It's enormously profitable and slowly integrating into the mainstream. This book was written over four years ago and the extent to which some elements of Christian pop culture continue to trickle down into what Radosh calls "mainstream" pop culture is becoming both more prevalent and more alienating. The high points he mentions--the release of The Passion of the Christ, the Left Behind book series--happened years ago, but we're still seeing that same type of crossover. For example, Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander has been on the Amazon best seller list for weeks. Joel Osteen's books consistently become best sellers too. The 5 Love Languages, published in 2009, has over 5 million copies sold.
Ultimately, the reason this book is so good is that Radosh approaches it as an outsider with an understanding that much of what he's seeing is business-driven. They qualify it in different ways ("spreading the Word," for example), but business is business. Keeping the enormous amounts of money at stake in the back of your mind is helpful when reading about the ridiculous (Testamints) and the almost unbelievable (The Holy Land Experience). Whatever I think of it, whatever you think of it and whatever Radosh thinks of it doesn't matter. There is a huge market share up for grabs containing people willing to pay to feed their faith in a way that makes them feel part of something greater than themselves.
It's interesting to look at Christianity through this commercial lens and it's an approach that I haven't often read about. Some of the products and books and Passion plays will seem crazy to you if you've never been exposed to Christian culture before, but you shouldn't be too surprised it exists. You've seen Family Christian Stores in strip malls before, right? People actually shop there.
It would have been impossible for Radosh to cover every corner of Christian pop culture, but what he does discuss feels comprehensive and informative. As someone vaguely familiar with what he's talking about, I didn't feel there were any gaps in the pop culture portrait he was pulling together. The portions where he attends Christian music festivals and discusses Christian music with various artists are some of the most interesting sections of the book and help shed a lot of light on why there are so many "levels" of Christian artists. (For example, some say "God" or "Jesus" in songs but others choose to use the vague "You" for crossover appeal.)
As someone who was once surrounded by Christian pop culture and came out the other side, I found the book intensely interesting, but I think you will too--even if you know nothing about it and really don't care to. Radosh, who is Jewish, has no Christian agenda to push. In fact, he gets confrontational often and isn't afraid to express skepticism or frustration with the people he comes across. (One memorable moment happens when Radosh confronts a man passing out "IVF Violates Humanity Dignity" pamphlets amongst a group of rabid pro-life demonstrators at a music festival. Radosh's children were conceived using IVF.) There are other insightful passages in the book as Radosh has conversations with various members of the Christian pop culture community. In one interview with Jay Howard, author of Apostles of Rock: The Splintered World of Contemporary Christian Music, Howard said this:
Christian pop culture is weird to outsiders. It seems contradictory, cheesy and strange. But it's a huge business. It's enormously profitable and slowly integrating into the mainstream. This book was written over four years ago and the extent to which some elements of Christian pop culture continue to trickle down into what Radosh calls "mainstream" pop culture is becoming both more prevalent and more alienating. The high points he mentions--the release of The Passion of the Christ, the Left Behind book series--happened years ago, but we're still seeing that same type of crossover. For example, Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander has been on the Amazon best seller list for weeks. Joel Osteen's books consistently become best sellers too. The 5 Love Languages, published in 2009, has over 5 million copies sold.
Ultimately, the reason this book is so good is that Radosh approaches it as an outsider with an understanding that much of what he's seeing is business-driven. They qualify it in different ways ("spreading the Word," for example), but business is business. Keeping the enormous amounts of money at stake in the back of your mind is helpful when reading about the ridiculous (Testamints) and the almost unbelievable (The Holy Land Experience). Whatever I think of it, whatever you think of it and whatever Radosh thinks of it doesn't matter. There is a huge market share up for grabs containing people willing to pay to feed their faith in a way that makes them feel part of something greater than themselves.
It's interesting to look at Christianity through this commercial lens and it's an approach that I haven't often read about. Some of the products and books and Passion plays will seem crazy to you if you've never been exposed to Christian culture before, but you shouldn't be too surprised it exists. You've seen Family Christian Stores in strip malls before, right? People actually shop there.
It would have been impossible for Radosh to cover every corner of Christian pop culture, but what he does discuss feels comprehensive and informative. As someone vaguely familiar with what he's talking about, I didn't feel there were any gaps in the pop culture portrait he was pulling together. The portions where he attends Christian music festivals and discusses Christian music with various artists are some of the most interesting sections of the book and help shed a lot of light on why there are so many "levels" of Christian artists. (For example, some say "God" or "Jesus" in songs but others choose to use the vague "You" for crossover appeal.)
As someone who was once surrounded by Christian pop culture and came out the other side, I found the book intensely interesting, but I think you will too--even if you know nothing about it and really don't care to. Radosh, who is Jewish, has no Christian agenda to push. In fact, he gets confrontational often and isn't afraid to express skepticism or frustration with the people he comes across. (One memorable moment happens when Radosh confronts a man passing out "IVF Violates Humanity Dignity" pamphlets amongst a group of rabid pro-life demonstrators at a music festival. Radosh's children were conceived using IVF.) There are other insightful passages in the book as Radosh has conversations with various members of the Christian pop culture community. In one interview with Jay Howard, author of Apostles of Rock: The Splintered World of Contemporary Christian Music, Howard said this:
"Sociologists contend the number-one value in American society is self-actualization or self-fulfillment. Everybody thinks, I have a right to do whatever it takes to make me happy. Christians aren't really a whole lot different from mainstream society in that regard. I mean, we divorce at nearly the same rate as mainstream society. That's because we've bought into this idea that happiness is the ultimate American right. We don't challenge the materialism of our culture. We don't challenge the self-indulgence in our culture. We don't challenge the American superpower we have a right to tell the rest of the world what to do kind of thinking. A counterculture rejects some of the key dominant values of the surrounding society. The only values that we're worried about are abortion and gay rights. That's it. Because those are sins we don't commit; those are sins other people commit. The Bible has more than two thousands verses about poverty and maybe five or ten that you can interpret as being about abortion, but we're all about abortion. Those two thousand verses about Christians' responsibility to widows and orphans and aliens and strangers and the poor? We manage to be blind to all of that, but we can find those five verses about abortion."
meowmeowfood's review against another edition
3.0
The author kept the book lighthearted. It was obvious he wasn't trying to be unbiased about some of the darker sides of evangelicalism so it was clearly more of a humourous memoir of his journey through Christian pop culture than a serious study of the implications, etc. All in all, I really enjoyed it. I find Christian pop culture extremely fascinating so it was fun to just read about it and read interviews with those living within the culture. The ending felt a little rushed with the whole "Maybe we can all end up getting along..." bit, which seemed to ignore a lot of the anti-Semitism, homophobic and extremely misogynists things he witnessed. But otherwise, a fun read!