false 2336862 1 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.<P> Written with the perfect blend of amusement and respect, <I>Rapture Ready!</i> 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. <P> 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.<P> 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. <I>Rapture Ready!</i> is a revealing survey of a parallel universe and a unique perspective on one of America's most important social movements. 2343541 8 4 2008 Rapture Ready!: Adventures in the Parallel Universe of Christian Pop Culture total:220|5:64|4:109|3:39|2:8|1:0| 220 889 516 72 4 4 false false Wed Mar 04 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Tue Feb 10 14:45:53 -0800 2009 Wed Mar 04 22:23:43 -0800 2009 more...]]> 5 3 false false Mon Sep 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Fri Aug 22 09:59:11 -0700 2008 Thu Sep 11 18:03:56 -0700 2008 more...]]> 4 1 false false Tue May 06 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Thu Apr 24 11:19:53 -0700 2008 Tue May 06 11:23:36 -0700 2008
However, I'm incredibly intrigued by ...more...]]> 5 1 false false Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Sun May 11 00:23:57 -0700 2008 Sun May 11 00:28:54 -0700 2008 more...]]> 5 0 false false Sat May 09 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Sat May 09 14:06:19 -0700 2009 Sat May 09 14:31:34 -0700 2009 more...]]> 4 1 false false Tue Feb 17 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Tue May 05 09:12:06 -0700 2009 Tue May 05 09:12:06 -0700 2009 more...]]> 5 0 false false Thu Aug 13 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Thu Aug 06 13:08:30 -0700 2009 Fri Aug 14 10:12:20 -0700 2009 more...]]> 3 0 false false Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Thu Feb 05 12:29:07 -0800 2009 Thu Feb 05 12:35:44 -0800 2009 Actually, I have a few good friends who are evangelical Christian. And I have seen enough WWJD signs to be curious about the culture beh...more...]]> 5 0 false false Sun Sep 06 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Sat Sep 05 16:35:14 -0700 2009 Sun Sep 06 20:55:14 -0700 2009 more...]]> 5 0 false false Tue Dec 02 14:03:11 -0800 2008 Tue Dec 02 14:09:36 -0800 2008 more...]]> 3 1 false false Mon Feb 09 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Mon Feb 09 10:25:53 -0800 2009 Mon Feb 09 10:40:14 -0800 2009 more...]]> 4 0 false false Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Mon Sep 14 06:23:44 -0700 2009 Fri Oct 02 08:15:36 -0700 2009 The book is funny and generally quite warm. I'm enjoying my ...more...]]> 3 0 false false Sun Sep 13 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Tue Aug 04 18:00:38 -0700 2009 Mon Sep 21 09:04:48 -0700 2009 more...]]> 3 0 false false Thu Oct 15 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Mon Jul 06 07:36:06 -0700 2009 Mon Oct 26 16:35:28 -0700 2009
The author, Daniel Radosh, undertakes an exploration of the pop culture elements of ... and it's already tricky, because there's not a great term out there, but Evangelical Christianity in the United Sta...more...]]> 5 0 false false Sat Sep 13 14:34:37 -0700 2008 Sun Oct 19 13:18:51 -0700 2008 more...]]> 4 0 false false Thu May 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Mon May 05 07:18:15 -0700 2008 Sun Jun 01 19:16:46 -0700 2008
That Daniel Radosh pulls it off, and in particular provides convincing reasons for hope and a convincing call to not write off all Christian pop culture, is a singular achievement. But he doesn't do it by some lukewarm, even analysi...more...]]> 5 1 false false Sat Jan 31 09:07:02 -0800 2009 Sun Feb 01 15:14:54 -0800 2009 my blog on this book. It was just that . . . disturbing (in a good way!).

I grew up a fundamentalist Christian. I was a default dispensationalist. And this stuff still shocked me. I had no idea this kind of foolishness was going on.

It's a...more...]]> 5 0 false false Thu Mar 12 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Fri Jan 02 20:11:38 -0800 2009 Thu Mar 12 19:43:56 -0700 2009 more...]]> 2 0 false false Sat Nov 14 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Sat Nov 14 06:11:45 -0800 2009 Sat Nov 14 06:19:17 -0800 2009
Jay Bakker pops up a few times in the text and comes across as probably the most likable figure throughout. I saw "One Punk Under God" on television years ago, and my positive impression of Bakker was reinforced by his co...more...]]> 5 0 false false Thu Mar 05 12:30:50 -0800 2009 Tue Feb 24 00:51:06 -0800 2009 Thu Mar 05 12:30:50 -0800 2009 more...]]> http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=2336862