The Unlikely Disciple

1. A Secular Student's Dive into Bible Boot Camp

This semester, I transferred to Liberty precisely because it was so different—not just from my old school, but from anything I’d ever seen before.

A Grand Experiment. Kevin Roose, a self-described "secular kid" from Brown University, embarks on a unique journalistic experiment: spending a semester undercover at Liberty University, Jerry Falwell's "Bible Boot Camp." Raised by Quaker parents in a liberal enclave, Roose's exposure to evangelical Christianity was minimal, making Liberty a truly foreign land. His goal was to bridge America's "God Divide" and understand his Christian peers, a demographic largely absent from his social circle.

Initial Culture Shock. Arriving at Liberty, Roose is immediately confronted with a starkly different world. The campus, towering over Lynchburg, Virginia, feels oppressive with its massive buildings and omnipresent Christian messaging. "The Liberty Way," a 46-page code of conduct, governs every aspect of student life, from strict curfews and single-sex dorms to prohibitions on R-rated movies and "improper personal contact" (anything beyond hand-holding).

A World Apart. Roose's parents, staunch left-wingers, express deep apprehension about his project, highlighting the vast ideological chasm he's crossing. His initial interactions with Liberty students reveal a community deeply committed to their faith, often asking direct questions about his relationship with Christ. This stark contrast to his free-spirited Brown environment underscores the profound cultural immersion he's undertaking, forcing him to quickly adapt to evangelical norms.

2. "The Liberty Way": Rules, Rebellion, and Social Codes

You just have to go in with a positive attitude. If you think, ‘Oh man, these rules are such a drag,’ you’re going to miss out on a lot.

Navigating Strictures. Liberty's extensive rulebook, "The Liberty Way," dictates everything from dress codes (collared shirts and pants for men, no shorts) to social interactions (three-second hugs maximum). Violations carry significant reprimands and fines, with severe infractions leading to expulsion. This creates an environment where students must constantly monitor their behavior, leading to both conformity and subtle acts of rebellion.

Underground Resistance. Despite the strict rules, a vibrant subculture of nonconformity thrives. Roose encounters students who bend or break rules, from attending forbidden parties to watching R-rated movies in secret. His roommate, Jersey Joey, embodies this spirit, accumulating reprimands for minor infractions and reveling in his "rebel" persona. These students, while not rejecting Christianity, push against the boundaries of Liberty's social code.

The Unwritten Rules. Roose discovers that Liberty's true social code extends beyond the written manual. While overt rule-breaking is risky, certain ideological stances are non-negotiable. For instance, while some students might curse or drink, they rarely challenge conservative views on homosexuality or abortion. This reveals a nuanced social hierarchy where adherence to core conservative Christian beliefs often trumps strict behavioral purity in gaining acceptance.

3. Academic Rigor vs. Dogmatic Certainty

Ultimately, what Dr. Wise wrote there is the same thing I’m saying: when it comes to the age of the earth, it becomes a question of what the Bible says.

A Unique Curriculum. Liberty's academic offerings blend traditional liberal arts with explicitly Christian courses. Roose's schedule includes "Contemporary Issues" (GNED), which teaches a biblical worldview and critical analysis of "harmful" secular philosophies, and "History of Life," a mandatory young-earth creationism course. This curriculum aims to fortify students in their evangelical faith and equip them to combat secular ideas.

Creationism's Grip. "History of Life" proves particularly challenging for Roose, as it champions young-earth creationism, asserting that God created the universe approximately six thousand years ago. Professors like Dr. Dekker, despite impressive secular scientific credentials, openly state that biblical interpretation overrides scientific evidence. This approach, while intellectually jarring for Roose, is central to Liberty's mission to defend creationism against evolutionary science.

Education's Limits. Roose observes a tension between academic inquiry and dogmatic certainty. Professors often use workbooks with fill-in-the-blank answers, discouraging critical thinking in favor of rote memorization of approved doctrines. The idea that students could become "educated beyond their obedience" suggests a cap on intellectual exploration. This environment, while providing clear answers, can stifle the very skills of deconstruction and doubt essential to a liberal arts education.

4. The Art and Agony of Evangelism

What we’re doing is kind! Many Christians don’t share Christ because they feel like they’re bothering people. But we’re sharing the information that will help them avoid God’s wrath and go to heaven!

Battleground Evangelism. Roose joins a Liberty mission trip to Daytona Beach during spring break, engaging in "battleground evangelism" among secular spring breakers. The goal is to convert non-Christians using aggressive, cold-turkey methods, often employing the "Way of the Master" technique. This involves systematically demonstrating to strangers that they are "sinners" destined for hell, then offering salvation through Christ.

Confrontation and Rejection. The experience is fraught with difficulty and frequent rejection. Spring breakers often dismiss or mock the evangelists, leading to emotional distress for the Liberty students. Roose, uncomfortable with the confrontational approach, struggles to participate, finding it hard to condemn strangers or push a message he doesn't fully believe. He observes the linguistic isolation of his peers, whose "Christian speak" often fails to connect with secular individuals.

Motivation and Empathy. Despite the low conversion rate, the mission trip serves a dual purpose: it reinforces the evangelists' faith and prepares them for a world that may scorn their beliefs. Roose witnesses moments of profound compassion, like a student crying over the "sadness" of people dying without Christ. This reveals that even aggressive evangelism, while jarring, often stems from a genuine, if misguided, desire to save others from eternal damnation.

5. Navigating Personal Beliefs and Identity

I used to think that I had control of my spirituality. I pictured a mental spigot that regulated the flow of faith into my brain. But I’m starting to understand that it doesn’t work that way.

The Slippery Slope of Immersion. Roose initially believes he can maintain his secular identity while observing Liberty's religious life. However, the constant immersion in evangelical culture begins to subtly shift his perspective. He finds himself getting swept up in worship services, feeling reflective about "sinful nature," and even experiencing "tingles" of spiritual euphoria during communal praise.

Struggling with Doubt. Despite these shifts, Roose grapples with fundamental theological differences. He questions the literal interpretation of the Bible, the condemnation of non-evangelicals to hell, and the conflation of political conservatism with Christian faith. His conversations with his spiritual mentor, Pastor Seth, reveal his deep-seated skepticism about prayer's efficacy and God's direct intervention in daily life.

Belief in Belief. Ultimately, Roose doesn't convert to conservative evangelicalism. The "all-or-nothing" approach to salvation, which requires condemning homosexuality and accepting biblical inerrancy, remains a barrier. However, he finds himself believing in a divine presence more often and appreciating the transformative power of faith. He learns to "believe in belief," recognizing the positive impact faith has on his friends' lives, even if he doesn't share their specific doctrines.

6. Unpacking Liberty's Social Conservatism

I hated his intolerance, his quickness to judge and caricature. I hated the way he invented outside threats to fuel his own ministry, and I hated his anti-intellectualism.

Homophobia's Pervasiveness. Roose is repeatedly confronted with overt homophobia, particularly from his roommate Henry, who expresses violent sentiments against gay individuals. While most students don't share Henry's extreme rage, the belief that homosexuality is a sin is pervasive. Roose observes that this constant condemnation, even if not violent, creates an environment where gay students feel isolated and pressured to undergo "reparative therapy."

Racial Tensions. Liberty's complex racial history, including Jerry Falwell's past as a segregationist, manifests in subtle ways. Roose witnesses a heated argument between a black hallmate, Paul, and a white hallmate, Ryan, over interracial dating. While the administration officially condemns racial harassment, the incident reveals lingering prejudices and the difficulty some students face in navigating a predominantly white, conservative environment.

Gender Roles and Feminism. Roose encounters the "complementarian" view of gender roles, which dictates that women should submit to their husbands and prioritize family over career. While some female students embrace this, others, like Leslie, identify as "evangelical feminists," challenging these norms with scriptural arguments. This highlights internal diversity within Liberty, where students grapple with traditional teachings and personal aspirations.

7. Jerry Falwell: A Complex, Charismatic Figure

What both Jerry Falwells have in common is a rock-solid streak of self-confidence.

The Two Falwells. Roose's interview with Jerry Falwell reveals a complex figure beyond the "red-faced demagogue" stereotype. He encounters a "religious Willy Wonka" – a whimsical, prank-loving man who gives scholarships to kids and speaks adoringly of his grandchildren. This contrasts sharply with the public figure known for controversial statements on 9/11, homosexuality, and environmentalism.

Unwavering Conviction. Despite his softer side, Falwell's core remains his "rock-solid streak of self-confidence" and unwavering conviction in his beliefs. He runs Liberty with direct edicts, unburdened by doubt or committee meetings. His certainty extends to his faith, where he expresses absolute assurance of his salvation and God's approval of his life's work, even when it involves controversial political stances.

A Legacy in Flux. Falwell's death, occurring on Roose's second-to-last day, plunges Liberty into profound grief and uncertainty. While the outside world often condemns his legacy, Liberty students mourn a "giant" who shaped their lives. Roose recognizes that Falwell, despite his flaws, was a sincere figure, not a charlatan. His death marks a potential turning point for Liberty, as a new generation of evangelicals grapples with his polarizing legacy and the future direction of the institution.

8. The Burden of Secrecy and Human Connection

Hiding a huge part of my life from my roommate Henry is no skin off my back, but with my favorite Liberty students—Anna, Paul, Jersey Joey—I’m finding it hard to keep secrets.

The Ethical Tightrope. Roose's undercover project forces him to maintain a facade, creating an ethical dilemma as he forms genuine connections. He struggles with the guilt of withholding his true identity and journalistic intentions from friends like Anna, Paul, and Jersey Joey. This secrecy, initially a tool for immersion, becomes a heavy burden, highlighting the personal cost of his ethnographic work.

Romantic Complications. His burgeoning romantic interest in Anna, a witty and less pious Liberty student, intensifies this conflict. Roose finds himself genuinely attracted to her but ultimately pulls back, unwilling to hurt her when his true identity and non-evangelical beliefs are inevitably revealed. This decision underscores the profound impact of his project on his personal life and emotional well-being.

The Cost of Deception. Roose realizes that his "solid fakery" might have made his semester "successful" in terms of blending in, but it also sets his friends up for disappointment. The idea of being perceived as a "true man of the Lord" by those he cares about, while secretly observing them, creates deep internal conflict. He grapples with the question of whether humanizing people with "reprehensible views" inadvertently validates those views.

9. Finding Common Ground and Unexpected Empathy

One of the most humanizing things I’ve learned this semester is that even at Liberty, personality trumps ideology.

Beyond Stereotypes. Despite initial preconceptions, Roose discovers that Liberty students are far from monolithic. He finds them to be funny, articulate, and socially adjusted, often more in touch with secular pop culture than he expected. This challenges his "secular/liberal paranoia" that evangelicals are angry zealots, revealing a diverse community beneath the surface of shared faith.

Human Decency Prevails. Roose observes instances where human decency transcends rigid dogma. He sees students like Joey struggling with the harshness of condemning non-evangelicals to hell, and Paul grappling with his girlfriend's bisexuality. These moments suggest that personal experience can sometimes soften ideological lines, allowing for empathy and a willingness to bend strict interpretations of faith.

The Power of Community. Roose finds unexpected comfort and support within Liberty's community. He appreciates the genuine care shown by his hallmates, their fervent prayers for each other, and the collective effervescence of communal worship. Even Pastor Rick, who leads gay-conversion therapy, displays a disarming compassion for his students, demonstrating that love, even with strings attached, can exist amidst profound disagreement.

10. The Enduring Echoes of a Transformative Semester

I’m not an evangelical, it’s true, but I’ve found that I have a lot in common with Liberty students.

Lingering Impact. Returning to Brown, Roose experiences reverse culture shock, realizing how deeply Liberty's environment influenced him. He continues to pray, a habit formed at Liberty, and finds himself interpreting the world through a more spiritual lens. The semester leaves him with a lasting "belief in belief," appreciating the power of faith to transform lives, even if he doesn't fully subscribe to its doctrines.

A Nuanced Perspective. Roose's experience shatters his simplistic "saved and unsaved" binary, revealing the complex diversity within the evangelical world. He learns that personality often trumps ideology, and that even a "Christian jerk is still a jerk." This nuanced understanding allows him to see commonalities with Liberty students, despite their differing worldviews, and to challenge his own assumptions about religious people.

Unfinished Journey. The semester doesn't provide all the answers, but it profoundly changes Roose. He leaves Liberty with a deeper understanding of faith, a greater capacity for empathy, and a recognition of his own susceptibility to emotional and spiritual influence. His journey underscores that true understanding often requires immersion, even into worlds that initially seem alien, and that personal transformation can occur in the most unlikely of places.

Last updated: August 25, 2025