This post is chock full of meandering and rambling, as per usual.
I'll write a more focused review when I'm done.
Maybe.
Currently I'm reading The Unikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University, by Kevin Roose. I bought it on Wednesday, and read most of it Thursday. (I was at work and I kid you not, I had NOTHING to do all morning.) I should have it finished sometime tonight.
Where--and how--do I begin to explain what I love about this book? One of the things that expedited my reading is Kevin's writing style. It's fabulous. He's very affable and intelligent. And conversational. I could absolutely see myself dragging him to church with me and then going out with a pack of my friends.
A few areas of note...
In The Unlikely Disciple, one of Kevin's peers mentions that he is disgusted with "cheesy Christianity". He does so in a context that I can actually handle. Indeed, it's the first time of late that I've heard the word "cheesy" related to my faith and actually smiled. (The young man in question was discussing the copycat tendencies found within in a certain sect of Christian pop-culture.) Lately, I've been around Christians who use the term "cheesy" too loosely for my tastes. It was starting to annoy me.
However, I recently discovered that what my friends really meant was to refer to expressions of faith that they felt were corny sentimental or in poor taste. In my opinion, that isn't necessarily always bad. It all seems like a matter of perspective.
Nevertheless, my concern is this: Christianity is a religion based on timeless traditions that are worthy of honour and respect. Meanwhile, there must be room for variations. I find it rude to dismiss things that people consider to be lifelines--otherwise innocuous items that help keep people in touch with an authentic vision of Christ.
For example, consider Christian music. A person may not like it in any of its incarnations. However it does not mean that it's inherently awful, or that another person cannot find something redemptive in its content. I've heard the aforementioned insult from more than one friend of mine. Quite frankly I find such talk beyond offensive, for a myriad of reasons that I cannot get into here.
*ahem*
(End of Odd Tangent #1. Back to the book.)
There seems to be a bit of controversy concerning Liberty University's reaction to this book. According to one of Kevin Roose blog entries, some of LU's authorities have fallen into what I like to call an Insecurity-Driven Lie. (To see what I mean, scroll down on the aforelinked [sic] Amazon page, or just go here and read "The Liberty Situation, continued.")
I've seen this IDL phenomenon a few times. In vain attempts to cover a potentially controversial truth that they may get flack for from either side, some Christians take the low road and are dishonest. Remember when I said that in elementary school a Biblical reference to wine was augmented--said to be actually referring to grape juice? (It's a long story. From what I recall the deception began with a reference to a song from The Sound of Music.) As an adult I can't help thinking of how stupid such an idea is. After all, Jesus turned water into wine. Furthermore, depending on what you read in scriptures, you may believe that He actually ingested some.*
But anyways...Why the people at LU would be insecure is beyond me. As far as I'm concerned Kevin paints Liberty U as a normal place. Quite frankly, if I could turn back the clock and didn't already have my degree, I might consider enrolling.
Do I have anything bad to say about The Unlikely Disciple?
Not really.
The criticisms that I have thus far aren't criticisms really. They're more like complaints about clashing perspectives. Here, I should begin with a little apology. I may get something wrong, as I'm just going by what I remember from yesterday...
First, in the latter half of the book I couldn't help noticing (what I felt was) Kevin's over-simplified explanation of the Emergent Church movement. It was brief, and I think he didn't really have time to dwell on it...?
Again, here, I suggest that if people are interested, they read Why We're Not Emergent. In my opinion, it might be better to explain that to a believer such as myself, depending on his or her point of view and the institution attended...The Emergent Church may be perceived as everything from innovative, to a really cheap, bastardized version of what real church should be like.
The latter, crap version of church and faith is what has some more conservative folks up in arms.
Next, there's Kevin's explanation of I Kissed Dating Goodbye, a book by Joshua Harris. (Incidentally, I think that he ought to read Boy Meets Girl. It's a pretty cool follow-up.)
Anywho...My concern is that Kevin's comments on this book might give people the wrong impression.
I suppose I should mention that I loved IKDG. I don't like the concept of casual dating. It just seems to me like a lot of BS. Josh suggests people behave in a forthright decent manner. No game-playing. Just get to know each other, and not play the field.
And I know there's more than that. (Now who's over-simplifying? Ha!) Nevertheless, IKDG allows people room to reject a potential mate and move on.
I just have visions of people reading Kevin's summary and thinking Josh and countless evangelicals have a mindless, clingy, CHEESY "Let's be friends so we can get married--no deep introspection required" point of view.
I mean, there are people who are that dumb. But I'm pretty sure that that's not what Josh intended.
Kevin Roose also has a particular distinction. In particular he is the last person to interview Jerry Fallwell, Sr., prior to his death in 2007. I have yet to read his interview. But I enjoyed Kevin's recount of their interaction in the book. It's a part of the chapter that I just finished reading.
My take on Falwell himself is on the fence. I don't agree with his views on the reasons behind 9/11. (At the same time, I cannot help but think of those parts of the Old Testament where God had had it up to HERE with His people and their disobedience. From what I recall, the punishments were quite severe.
Which makes me kind of scared of God. But that's another story.)
But overall, I should point out that I really like the way Kevin humanized Mr. Falwell. I'll never think of Snapple the same way again.
Now then...If I have anything more to say, I'll write it later. I have to get set to leave for Easter Weekend...
In the meantime, if you can score a copy of The Unlikely Disciple, read it. It ROCKS!!
* In Matthew 11:19, Jesus says, "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners..." Luke 7:34 reiterates this statement.
