Rapture Ready!

Adventures in the Parallel Universe of Christian Pop Culture

Daniel Radosh

• Publisher: Scribner
• Year: 2008
• Print ISBN:
  9780743297707
• eBook ISBN:
  9781416593751
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Media Studies
• Index: Social Sciences

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.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Colophon
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• In the beginning
• Chapter 1: As goods increase, so do those who consume them
• Chapter 2: The new Jerusalem
• Chapter 3: He will act deceitfully
• Chapter 4: To each province in its own script and to each people in its own language
• Chapter 5: For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am he,” and, “The time is near”
• Chapter 6: And books were opened
• Chapter 7: Children will see it and be joyful
• Chapter 8: How awesome is the Lord
• Chapter 9: For their rock is not like our rock
• Chapter 10: Celebrate a festival to the Lord
• Chapter 11: Let them praise his name with dancing
• Chapter 12: Our mouths were filled with laughter
• Chapter 13: Give me a man and let us fight each other
• Chapter 14: Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins
• Chapter 15: Train the younger women to love their husbands
• Chapter 16: The opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge
• Chapter 17: Their visions are false and their divinations a lie
• Acknowledgments