It's a really long title for a book, but the instant I read that title, I knew I wanted to read this book. We, as Christians, are usually pretty aware of the 'parallel universe' we (or our elders) have created for ourselves. Many Christians exist completely inside their own Christian bubble and have little to nothing to do with the 'outside world.' There are lots of books written by and for Christians encouraging us to stay in that bubble, away from the temptations of 'the world'...you know, to be all safe and cozy in God's arms. There are also several books out there encouraging Christians to break out of the bubble and get down and dirty in the world. But, this book struck me as odd...written by an outsider about the Christian bubble. What could he possibly know about our bubble? Our culture? Would he just bash everything in that bubble? I wanted to know what he learned, how he went about studying it, and if he would see it a new light once he was done or if we would just prove his own point that Christians are, like, soooo lame. C'mon, Daniel Radosh...let me have it!
He openly admits that he did intend to set out in search of the weirdest, hardest-to-believe aspects of Christian culture. And while he is bombarded with Christian after Christian who are the stereotypical judgemental, close-minded 'freaks'...he does also encounter some Christians that he feels comfortable with, who help him to better understand what is going on inside the Christian bubble. Radosh travels all over the country attending seminars, concerts, meetings, conferences, wrestling matches, museum tours and of course, a live production of Bible Man. He points out the most ridiculous stuff (testamints anyone?) but also takes the time to embrace the aspects that are grace-filled and out of love. He speaks with Christian authors Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker. He spends time Jay Bakker. He visits ShoutFEST and Cornerstone Festival - where he learns a lot about the different types of Christians that exist in just the music world. He hangs out behind the scenes of a Christian Wresting match where some of the 'actors' are Christian while some aren't. Radosh even holds a completely made up interview with Stephen Baldwin, using passages from Baldwin's biography to respond to his questions. He browses the floor of a "Jesus Junk" Expo...where Jesus' face is plastered on all the silly stuff and marked $9.99. He certainly gets around and touches on a lot of areas that we, as Christians, are made fun of for. And some of it, rightly so.
There were times while reading this book that I completely agreed with Radosh. Yes, we DO look ridiculous having that type of stuff in our history and refusing to admit we are behind the times with this or that. But there were other times as well when I could feel my blood pressure beginning to rise, knowing that he just wasn't getting it. But then I'd have to remind myself that...at least he was TRYING to get a grasp of it. Not just dismissing it away as, oh, they're just a bunch of crazy Christians. This book is riddled with foul language and misunderstandings...of jumping to conclusions and assuming that all Christians are 'that way.' But there is a lot of insight in here as well, as to how non-Christians view believers in the every day world. It's eye-opening, to say the least, to hear straight from the horse's mouth how certain things we do get misconstrued and twisted to make us look like complete idiots. He brings it around in the end and speaks of how both sides could learn from each other...and that more people should pay attention to what's going on in the Christian bubble, 'cause they just might be missing out.
All in all, I'd say if you really want to know how those of us in this "Christian bubble" look from the outside, this is definitely a good read. If you'd rather not know, then...shy away.
He openly admits that he did intend to set out in search of the weirdest, hardest-to-believe aspects of Christian culture. And while he is bombarded with Christian after Christian who are the stereotypical judgemental, close-minded 'freaks'...he does also encounter some Christians that he feels comfortable with, who help him to better understand what is going on inside the Christian bubble. Radosh travels all over the country attending seminars, concerts, meetings, conferences, wrestling matches, museum tours and of course, a live production of Bible Man. He points out the most ridiculous stuff (testamints anyone?) but also takes the time to embrace the aspects that are grace-filled and out of love. He speaks with Christian authors Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker. He spends time Jay Bakker. He visits ShoutFEST and Cornerstone Festival - where he learns a lot about the different types of Christians that exist in just the music world. He hangs out behind the scenes of a Christian Wresting match where some of the 'actors' are Christian while some aren't. Radosh even holds a completely made up interview with Stephen Baldwin, using passages from Baldwin's biography to respond to his questions. He browses the floor of a "Jesus Junk" Expo...where Jesus' face is plastered on all the silly stuff and marked $9.99. He certainly gets around and touches on a lot of areas that we, as Christians, are made fun of for. And some of it, rightly so.
There were times while reading this book that I completely agreed with Radosh. Yes, we DO look ridiculous having that type of stuff in our history and refusing to admit we are behind the times with this or that. But there were other times as well when I could feel my blood pressure beginning to rise, knowing that he just wasn't getting it. But then I'd have to remind myself that...at least he was TRYING to get a grasp of it. Not just dismissing it away as, oh, they're just a bunch of crazy Christians. This book is riddled with foul language and misunderstandings...of jumping to conclusions and assuming that all Christians are 'that way.' But there is a lot of insight in here as well, as to how non-Christians view believers in the every day world. It's eye-opening, to say the least, to hear straight from the horse's mouth how certain things we do get misconstrued and twisted to make us look like complete idiots. He brings it around in the end and speaks of how both sides could learn from each other...and that more people should pay attention to what's going on in the Christian bubble, 'cause they just might be missing out.
All in all, I'd say if you really want to know how those of us in this "Christian bubble" look from the outside, this is definitely a good read. If you'd rather not know, then...shy away.
Keep rockin' for Christ!
Jade =)
1 comment:
say what Jade! I want to read this book...
Adrian
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