If you read THE YEAR OF LIVING BIBLICALLY, you might remember my biblical slave — Kevin Roose. In the intervening couple of years, Kevin has been released from bondage and has written a remarkable book that comes out this week.
To back up: During my year, I was looking for a way to address slavery, because parts of the Bible seem to condone the practice. The closest thing to a legal slave in the Tri-State area? An intern. It fulfills the ‘unpaid labor’ part of the definition, at least. So I hired Kevin – then an 18-year-old freshman at Brown University – as my intern/slave for a summer. He did research. He sold my possessions on eBay for me. He baked me a delicious loaf of Ezekiel bread (see p. 305)
Kevin also came with me on a research trip to Jerry Falwell’s church in Lynchburg, Virginia. I remember he was fascinated. When we got back to New York, Kevin had an idea: What if he transferred from Brown University to Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University for a semester, and wrote about the experience. He’d go from America’s most secular, liberal, loosey-goosey college to the most religious, conservative, strict college. He’d be a stranger in a strange land. Kevin – a lifelong Blue State secular man – would get a taste of the other side.
I thought it was a great idea and introduced him to a literary agent. And guess what? He did it. He wrote the book, and it comes out from Grand Central Publishing this week.
It’s called THE UNLIKELY DISCIPLE. And I’m excited to report it’s really really good. He didn’t take the easy road, which would be to mock those across the cultural divide. Instead, he went into this venture with curiosity and compassion and an open mind.
Kevin doesn’t agree with a lot (okay, most) of Falwell’s theology and politics. He doesn’t let the late pastor off easy for his views on homosexuality. But at the same time, he treats the Liberty folks fairly and seriously. And he even finds life-changing wisdom in aspects of the Liberty worldview.
He followed the ultra-strict rules: No cursing, no drinking, no R-rated movies. He took classes in creationism. He dated a Liberty girl (he kissed her on the cheek, which is the equivalent of third base, and is a three-reprimand offense). He went with a group to proselytize to the drunken college sinners at Spring Break in Daytona. He wrote for the Liberty newspaper and did the last interview with Jerry Falwell before Falwell died. He prayed. He sang in the choir.
Granted, I’m a little biased, but I’m not the only one who likes the book. Christian leaders Rob Bell and Brian McLaren both gave the book glowing blurbs. As did Publishers Weekly. And Liberty itself thought the portrayal was fair, and Kevin will be doing an event down there in a few weeks.
By the way, did I mention he was 19 when he did all this? He’s 21 now. Makes me sick. I am covetous of his age.
Here’s an excerpt from Salon:
http://www.salon.com/mwt/excerpt/2009/03/18/unlikely_disciple/index.html
And here’s a link to Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-Disciple-Semester-Americas-University/dp/044617842X/
21 Comments
Can’t wait to check it out!
Super cool! I can’t believe they let him in, lol. Gonna be great, I will most definitely read it.
A. J.,
This is an incredible book. If you see Kevin around, give him a big high five.
It was a pleasure meeting you yesterday in Fort Wayne . . .
Brian
Hi AJ,
I’m just wondering if your formal biblical slave has a ’slave’ of his own too, a VA
How’s Honey doing?
I cant believe I found your actual blog. I blogged about you on my blog. I googled your name to see where I was in the rankings. I’m not. However, if you google “AJ Jacobs man crush” I’m number one. So if anyone googles that – they will get me – not you. Sorry. I am happy to intercept all your man crushes for you – but you know – I did not want you to think you had no man crushes. Just an LDS housewife from MN is getting all your thunder. Toodles.
Ya’ll all have the best ideas.
Fun stuff!
Hi AJ
I’m a very recent fan of your books. I saw you on Jon Stewart (or possibly the Colbert Report) when you were promoting The Year Of Living Biblically. I thought it sounded really interesting but didn’t actually get it and read it until a few weeks ago. I have since finished it and just bought The Know-It-All yesterday. I’m just finishing the B chapter and I’ve laughed out loud many times. I just wanted to say that I really enjoy your books. Keep it up!
And I will definitely check out your slave’s book as well!
I recently found this book at Barnes and Noble and became instantly too excited. I attended Lynchburg College around the same time. Living in close proximity to Liberty was an interesting experience. I can relate in so many ways to his experiences.
On another note, do you need a new intern/biblical slave? I would love the opportunity to work with you! (I’m actually qualified and not some wierdo)
ericalynn016@yahoo.com
I’m a Liberty University grad and can’t wait to read your slave’s I mean intern’s book
. I just finished reading your book, “The Year of Living Biblically” and loved it. You are an incredibly gifted author. I can’t wait to discuss at my book club tonight. I pray for you and hope that someday you might accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. He is my Lord and Savior and has transformed my life. I have incredible, peace, joy, happiness and contentment. I wish you and your beautiful family all the best.
I look forward to reading it; seems like the kind of book that would be right up my alley! Thanks for the notice, AJ!
AJ,
I had seen your book before, "The Year of Living Biblically", I finally broke down and bought it (yesterday) I am on day 82. It is a delightfully funny and thoughtful book.
I look forward to finishing it and then heading over to the "Know it all" book. May have to check out your intern's book as well. It sounds really good!
A.J.,
Totally loving your book, The Year of Living Biblically. I'm Catholic and embracing it with much joy and with a pondering heart. And I am only on page 39!
Blessings to you!
Time for a new post, A.J. Tom
I am about half way through the book and am loving it. Also loved the Know It All. Can't wait for the new book to come out.
Hi AJ, my name is Cait. I'm an agnostic atheist, and I must be brutally honest…
I've learned more about the Bible from reading YOUR book than I did from 19 years of my life being a diehard Christian.
Your book is amazing, dude. I've recommended it to everyone I know, both religious and nonreligious. You're awesome, thanks for keeping me laughing night after night. I can't wait to read Know It All, and I'll have to check out your slave's book, haha =]
would you do a quhranical year? The insight here would be amazing.
Please keep recommending books! At least until you write another one, I need something to read because I usually finish your books in a day each time i reread them. Thanks for taking the time to write such wonderful and amusing Books.
L Harnish
I just finished reading Year of Living Biblically 20 minutes ago – loved it. Thankyou!
I live in Japan with my Japanese guy…and his dementia-heading mother – so I identified big time with the struggle to Live a Life.
I'll keep a look out for Kevin's book for sure.
Hello A.J.,
I read "Biblically" over the holidays and just finished it on my way to work today. "Reverent agnostic" is the perfect phrase, it describes me as well – it's not too sappy, and not too cynical. It now replaces "born-again agnostic" in my Facebook info. Thank you for this book, it's exactly what I needed. Now on to either "The Unlikely Disciple" or "Guinea Pig Diaries" – I haven't decided which yet. Cheers, Rob
Sounds like a good book but the book I would love to read is Julies book. She needs to write about living with you while you live your books.
Now I'm just waiting for new blog entries
same oponion like Harold