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Christianity Today, June (Web-Only), 2008 |

The Christian Pop Cultures of Rapture Ready

Writer Daniel Radosh explores the heavy-handed evangelists, the art snobs, the money changers, and others who make up the Christian entertainment industry.

Interview by Sarah Pulliam | posted 6/19/2008 08:25AM

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What do you want people to take away from your book?

I wrote the book from the perspective of an outsider, and if other outsiders can pick this book up and find an accessible way into the diverse evangelical world, that would be great. For Christians I hope that people might gain a great understanding of how their world looks from the outside, and see some of their perceptions of the outside world. You may be somebody who participates in this culture, who shops at Christian bookstores every week, but never really thinks too much about where these products come from or why they're important to you. Or maybe you're somebody who wishes that these things didn't exist and tries to sweep them under the rug. But I think that engaging these issues can help Christians understand something about their own culture.

Related Elsewhere:

Radosh's blog (subtitled "Pop. Politics. Sex. So on.") was recently named in TIME's top 25 blogs. He also has a Rapture Ready blog.

Radosh offered a list of "10 great Christian rock songs" in The New York Times.

Hanna Rosin reviewed the book for Slate. Robin Abrahams reviewed it for the Boston Globe Magazine. Brad Greenberg discussed it on CT's liveblog. Timothy Beal reviewed it for SoMA Review. Tim Challies reviewed it on his popular blog. Ben Myers reviwed it at his Faith and Theology blog.

Excerpts of Radosh's book include

In The Beginning (Rapture Ready site)

Holy sex! | Welcome to the Christian sex advice movement, where brave souls tackle the stereotype that evangelicals are prudes (masturbation is still iffy). (Salon.com)

The Good Book Business | Why publishers love the Bible. (The New Yorker)

The Gospel According to Aaron | Christian rocker and mewithoutYou frontman Aaron Weiss preaches anti-consumerism, environmentalism, and progressive ideas (The Utne Reader)

A Wild and Crazy God | Daniel Radosh tours the Christian comedy circuit (Radar)

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June (Web-Only) 2008, Vol. 52

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Matt K

Posted: June 25, 2008 12:54 PM

The strength of true Christianity is that we can take criticism from "Humanistic Jews," Muslims, "Recovering Evangelicals," and athiests without becoming enraged and lashing out. I wonder how well received this book would have been if were written by a Christian about these same groups. My guess is that it would be denounced by all of our current presidential candidates, and become fodder for cable news. But, it is about us, and we turn the other cheek. I am proud to be thought of as odd for Christ's sake.

Anonymous

Posted: June 25, 2008 7:04 AM


The article identified the author, Daniel Radosh, as a "humanistic Jew," not a Christian. Did I misunderstand or is this article on Christianity written by a non-Christian?

Barb	Posted: June 25, 2008 2:57 AM


Before the early 1980s, there was no Christian pop culture to speak of. Instead. Christian life revolved around worshiping and serving at church and personal devotions. Yes there are some worthwhile messages and music out there, but a lot more mediocre ones. Listening to Christian music and teachers cannot replace real growth through worship, Bible study and ministry.

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