While Cohen grew up with a synagogue in his house (his father was a rabbi), over the course of time, Cohen found himself in love with a girl who was once a Methodist (her dad was a pastor) but who now observes Jewish law. So, to discover what made her–and the universe–tick, Cohen found himself in some sticky theological situations that would make A.J. Jacobs proud. Situations like: “Here I am, a five-foot-two bespectacled Jewish kid, in a mosh pit of faith, in a sea of fifteen thousand roused African Americans at the New Birth megachurch in Lithonia, Georgia. It’s Sunday, prime time for prayer, and I am just trying to blend in, hoping I won’t stand out too much.”
One whole chapter is devoted to the way in which Christian subculture has invaded popular culture, or vice versa depending on your perspective. There’s the Left Behind series and the work of Stephen Baldwin after his conversion (in light of the work prior to it!). Certainly, Cohen is painting in broad strokes, stereotypically dealing with things, even being judgmental, but everything he writes about is done with dramatic flair and some humor. He even admits to changing some of the names and situations to protect those involved–including himself.
Along the way, Cohen interacts with African Hebrew Israelites in Atlanta (comparing them to the two leads in Coming To America), deals with sermons by T.D. Jakes, and explores Ultimate Christian Wrestling. Rather than being a copy of Jacobs’ exploration of scripture in life, this has become an exploration of Christian pop culture. Frankly, some of it is funny, some of it is disturbing, and some of it will make you shake your head.
Like the work of Jacobs, you can make some of your own inferences when it’s all said and done, but Cohen’s questions should get your mind moving if you let yourself engage the material that’s there. And along the way, you may just find yourself laughing out loud.
