All You Want to Know About the Bible in Pop Culture: Finding Our Creator in Superheroes, Prince Charming, and Other Modern Marvels
11 June, 20153 Min Read
Time for another Nelson Publishing book review! Woohoo! I chose to review this book by Kevin Harvey, because, well, it’s right up my alley! I am a pop culture geekling, and hardcore Christian nerds are a rare breed. So this book seemed like it would speak my language.
About the Book
Book description from Amazon.com:
Somehow, it’s hard to picture pop culture and Christianity going hand-in-hand, but maybe we simply aren’t looking at things the right way. All You Want to Know About the Bible in Pop Culture reveals places where readers may be surprised to find redeeming values and gospel messages in today’s movies, music, popular TV shows, and much more! When you look closely, past the outrageous outfits and the antics of teen pop-sensations, it’s easy to see that from the big screen to the small screen and right down to the radio waves, God and His stories are still prevalent in pop culture today. There are movies and television shows that speak eternal truth, reality show families who represent believers well, even fictional Christians portrayed in a positive light. And if you listen closely, musicians are still conversing with God as the original songwriters of the Bible did. For the reader searching for meaning in media today, All You Want to Know About the Bible in Pop Culture is the perfect choice. Features include: Fun Bible-based facts and trivia questions, Examples of biblical messages from current TV shows, films, and pop songs, A casual and engaging resource.
My Thoughts on the Book
Let’s just get this part out of the way – I didn’t like this book.
First off, this book is far shorter than it appears to be. About a quarter of the book is mazes, word games and crossword puzzles. What these have to do with the main topic, I really have no idea. Since it occupies a large portion of the book, you’d think it would hinted at on the cover. I was really disappointed when I turned the page, expected to be just over halfway done reading, to find that the book had ended so soon.
Then there was the content. Some of the analogies and references in the book were spot on (superheroes and prince charming, as the title says) but the majority were just a MAJOR stretch. Like, painfully and conspiratorily so. I tried reading a chapter out loud to my husband as we were driving one day, and he actually asked me to stop, it was that unbearable at times. I am bit more patient and OCD when it comes to reading, and even I had trouble getting through the Chapter on LOST and reality TV shows.
There are some story arches that you can find Biblical truths in the storytelling. But trying to find hidden Biblical allusions in reality TV shows like Pawn Stars and such? That’s just.. weird. And borderline sacrilegious in my personal opinion.
To quote another BookLook Blogger / reviewer, “After a few of these stretches, I was having difficulty determining if the goal here was to show true Biblical value in Hollywood or just to justify certain shows and movies.”
And again, “Some forms of art should perhaps be judged merely by their own merit, rather than attempting to impute righteousness where there is none.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself!
[Disclaimer: There are no affiliate links in this review. I am an independent product reviewer. I only review products I am truly interested in. I don’t accept payment for reviews. The products I take the time to jabber on about are either items I have personally purchased, or the product has been provided for review after me initiating contact and incessantly nagging for a sample. All of my reviews are unbiased regardless of how the item was obtained.]
Sorry Mr. Harvey, I share your fandoms, but I don’t think I’d recommend this book.
I appreciate your candor and honesty Gingi. I know it is a book I won’t be buying, at least for myself. how about my grandson? He loves doing puzzles, etc. He is 8 and also loves superheroes. i agree with you though. Many try to finagle things to fit and it sounds almost like they are trying to okay certain shows or movies. (Sort of like me saying “learn about sex by reading/watching 50 Shades). Yeah, not going to happen.
Yeah, I think too much was just a stretch.. which is a shame when there were SO MANY cool movies and stories the author could have drawn from that would have actually been relevant…
What does the Bible have in common with Pawn Stars? If I ever saw the show I might be able to think of something, but probably not. I’ll be sure not to purchase this book. Thanks Gingi!
I love the honesty of this review! It seems like it would be a great book on the surface as far as the topic goes. Sucks that it failed to hit the mark.
Gingi, this book review just made me laugh so hard. Yeah, I struggle with the whole pop culture Christianity deal. Pawn stars and Christianity is a big stretch for me, but I don’ t have cable. Or a flat screen t.v., so what do I know? Thanks for the honesty as always.
I haven’t read it and I am not going to, tho. Nevertheless I love your review and your honest opinion, Gingi. Happy Friday, girl.
hugs
Lenya FashionDreams&Lifestyle
I think it would be interesting to read on finding God in Prince Charming and Superheroes, but the rest does sound kinda silly, so maybe I’ll give it a miss! Thanks for a great review, though 🙂
Although I agree there are many books, movies and TV shows that have religious undertones, I totally agree that I don’t think that reality TV has any… It’s too bad the book didn’t delve more into the actual ones that do… showcasing them would have been much better xox
It is a pity that a huge bulk of the content does not sound really relevant to the main topic so I can totally relate why you don’t like the book! Thanks for sharing this review!
Sounds like a cool book!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
I appreciate your candor and honesty Gingi. I know it is a book I won’t be buying, at least for myself. how about my grandson? He loves doing puzzles, etc. He is 8 and also loves superheroes. i agree with you though. Many try to finagle things to fit and it sounds almost like they are trying to okay certain shows or movies. (Sort of like me saying “learn about sex by reading/watching 50 Shades). Yeah, not going to happen.
Yeah, I think too much was just a stretch.. which is a shame when there were SO MANY cool movies and stories the author could have drawn from that would have actually been relevant…
Yeah, I think I am right there with you on your review!
Hm… I’d definitely be intrigued by it! I’m not a Christian nerd but I am a nerd. Although you don’t recommend it so I suppose I should skip it!
What does the Bible have in common with Pawn Stars? If I ever saw the show I might be able to think of something, but probably not. I’ll be sure not to purchase this book. Thanks Gingi!
<3
I appreciate your reviews. They are always so thoughtful and honest!
I love the honesty of this review! It seems like it would be a great book on the surface as far as the topic goes. Sucks that it failed to hit the mark.
Connie | Sponsored by Coffee | Bloglovin’
Yeah, I was super excited to review it.. sad it wasn’t what I expected!
very great review, amazing book
I wish you an happy day
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kisses
This does sound disappointing! What a bummer.
I read the title and thought– that’s so you!!
Sorry it didn’t pan out that way though!
haha, right?! <3
i love your blog ;)) have an amazing day!
mfashionfreak♥blog
Always so honest, yet with a ton of good arguments; love it
xx -n
Naomi in Wonderland
Gingi, this book review just made me laugh so hard. Yeah, I struggle with the whole pop culture Christianity deal. Pawn stars and Christianity is a big stretch for me, but I don’ t have cable. Or a flat screen t.v., so what do I know? Thanks for the honesty as always.
We don’t have cable either.. we just do movie theaters and Netflix, haha…
I haven’t read it and I am not going to, tho. Nevertheless I love your review and your honest opinion, Gingi. Happy Friday, girl.
hugs
Lenya
FashionDreams&Lifestyle
I appreciate your honesty, Gingi. Not every volume is for every reader. And that’s ok …
Hugs for you this weekend from me, friend!
*hugs!*
great review! thanks for sharing
Love Peace and Shimmer
Oh, yeah, that’s a stretch for sure.
Right?! haha..
This book looks great
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
Such an interesting post! Thanks for sharing!
xx
cvetybaby.com
Gingi I love the way you describe yourself as a “pop culture geekling”
You’re a happy person too I think… and if you review something it is always best to say plainly what you think. It helps everyone out doesn’t it.
All the best Jan
lol, it’s the most accurate description I can think of! 😉
Very honest review.
I wouldn’t want a book that has tons of puzzled, etc
XO
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Amazing post!
Have a nice week end!
Photographer Gil Zetbase
http://www.gilzetbase.com/
Great review Gingi, I’ll have to read this book to form an opinion on it myself I’ve never heard of this before!
Serene | I Am Serene L
<3
I think it would be interesting to read on finding God in Prince Charming and Superheroes, but the rest does sound kinda silly, so maybe I’ll give it a miss! Thanks for a great review, though 🙂
♥.•*¨ Amanda Says ¨*•.♥
Yeah, it was kind of silly and downhill after it exhausted the relevant analogies!
Great review! I am going to skip this one! ; )
xo,
Jessica
http://www.fortheloveofbubbly.com
Hmmm…doesn’t sound like a good read then. Thanks for sharing, Gingi. Great review!
missymayification.blogspot.co.uk
Although I agree there are many books, movies and TV shows that have religious undertones, I totally agree that I don’t think that reality TV has any… It’s too bad the book didn’t delve more into the actual ones that do… showcasing them would have been much better xox
That’s what I thought too!
It is a pity that a huge bulk of the content does not sound really relevant to the main topic so I can totally relate why you don’t like the book! Thanks for sharing this review!
Prudence
http://www.prudencepetitestyle.com
I haven’t heard of this book before, but it sounds like it’s definitely one I can skip. Thanks for your honest review!