Nonfiction Review #2: The Unlikely Disciple

Kevin Roose does a deep dive in what it is like to be a college age evangelical Christian in his novel, The Unlikely Disciple. Roose describes a culture by spending a semester at Liberty University, a well-known conservative college, and takes the reader on a journey of learning of the lifestyle.

Roose wrote The Unlikely Disciple during his sophomore year of college during 2007. Roose graduated from Brown University where he studied English and wrote columns for the Brown Daily Herald. He now writes tech columns for the New York Times, has two other books published, and an eight-part internet related podcast called “Rabbit Hole.”

Roose developed the idea to dive into the world of Liberty University and evangelical Christianity after a conversation with Liberty students. Roose himself comes from a Quaker and secular background where religion did not play a role in his upbringing. The conversation made him realize that he was truly curious about a culture that he had no prior knowledge about and to see if what he heard was true.

This search for answers on what the evangelical lifestyle and giving perspective to others is much of why I believe Roose wrote the book. Just like the stat that he gives in the book in the beginning, over 50 percent of the American population in 2007 did not know an evangelical Christian. This book is meant to give answers to those who are curious about the culture and the people.

Roose took a “semester abroad” at Liberty University, famously known for being started by conservative activist Jerry Falwell, in Lynchberg, Virginia. Roose takes the time to fully learn and observe the people, classes, and activities that make the lifestyle of an evangelical Christian college student.

How he does this is taking classes that a typical Liberty University freshman student has to take, which are heavily invested in creationism theory and a religious center. Roose also takes part in activities that give him perspective about the Liberty lifestyle, like singing in a megachurch choir and attending prayer groups.

As the semester passes, Roose becomes more acclimated with the lifestyle and has favorite people who take part. He gains an appreciation for those he befriends and enjoys some of the aspects of how they live. A particular aspect that he mentions as an enjoyable part was that people were constantly praying for the troubles he was having in life, making him in turn feel more at peace and special.

He also describes the beliefs that some of his friends and those around him have that he dislikes, particularly on the subject of the LGBT community. Roose doesn’t hold back from revealing these beliefs that the student body and Liberty workers hold. He manages to get a good exploration on why the people at Liberty University believe these things through casual conversations with them. 

Roose develops a moral issue while at Liberty University since he is there under false pretenses. He becomes close with those in his dorm, who are very open about sharing their struggles and thoughts to him, and he finds it very hard to keep his own secrets. 

His secrets are put to the test the most when he develops a crush on a girl named Anna, who is very different from many other students and has qualities he likes. There is a moment in his reporting that he describes having to cut her off due to him getting too emotionally involved.

By the end of the semester, Roose is split on the fact that he is leaving Liberty University. Some of this is due to the people that he became close with and the Liberty Way lifestyle affecting him. The other part that was meaningful to him was a sense of college wide shared emotion of caring compared to Brown University.

The lightly evangelical research Roose did before diving into the culture is what makes The Unlikely Disciple so enjoyable. Readers learn alongside him about the quirks and routines of the Christian college group.

For me personally, coming from an evangelical Christian household, it was humorous to me reading his journey. Particular parts that struck me as funny was learning how to curse as a Christian and how they are bluntly nosey. Little moments like this made me chuckle since I know the experience and struggle.

Roose does a phenomenal job revealing all the problematic parts of evangelical Christianity. He is very truthful in saying that some have very outdated thinking, like with interracial couples and the subject of race. 

Readers also learn that not all the evangelical Christian students fall under the stereotypes. Roose explores the disagreements that the students have with Liberty and Christianity. Two explored minority beliefs is the disliking of Jerry Falwell and being a feminist at Liberty.

His writing style is very humorous, mainly due to the secular side of Roose clashing with the culture. It makes the monotony of the religious lifestyle interesting to read about. The writing also makes his reactions to subjects or activities fun and keep you engaged. 

Roose does explain a lot of the evangelical lifestyle in a very detailed way that readers with no religious experience can understand. I believe the best moments when he does this is with explaining pretribulation theory and creationism.

Roose also paints the picture of the people he befriends very realistically that you feel connected to while reading. Just as enjoyable as Roose’s story, it is fun to read about the other characters’ struggles with the Liberty Way and a secular world as the semester goes.

I did not have to question Roose’s journalistic integrity due to personal experience with evangelical Christians and with his work. But there were moments I would do a quick Google search just to learn more, like more information about Tim LaHaye or Roose’s article in The Liberty Champion. Anyone who does question his reporting can easily search it on the internet for more clarification.

I feel like the religious theme of this book will not be for everyone, but it is a big part of the culture that Roose writes about. The Unlikely Disciple might also be a cringe book for anyone who is a practicing Christian.

The Unlikely Disciple is an enjoyable read that makes you laugh and cringe at the same time. It gives a good perspective on what some young Christians live like and what their college experience is. I recommend The Unlikely Disciple to people who are not educated in what evangelical Christians are like and enjoy a well written journey about adapting and studying a culture.

I give The Unlikely Disciple a 9/10 diet peach flavored Snapple teas.