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Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem: Strange Stories from the Bible to Leave You Amused, Bemused, and (Hopefully) Informed
Ever wished there was a book about some of the weirdest and most disturbing stories in the Bible that was also hilarious to read? You've found it. It turns out, there's a lot of strange stuff in the Bible, and this book takes a tongue-in-cheek look at all of it. Approximately 80 percent of Americans admit they haven't read the Bible. If they did, they'd be pleasantly surprised by its impressive quantity of sex and poop jokes. David danced naked. Noah was basically a moonshining hillbilly. Ezekiel baked poop bread. Herod was eaten by worms. Jesus cursed a fig tree, just to prove he could. Mark went streaking. Hosea married a prostitute. Lot was date-raped by his own daughters. This unique book: From Elisha, who loosed homicidal bears on some kids because they called him bald (it's a long story), to the story of Ehud, who gets away with assassinating a tyrannical king because his servants think said king is taking a dump (also a long story), this book examines and casts new light on some of the Bible's stranger moments.
240 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2020
23 people are currently reading
1961 people want to read
About the author
Luke T. Harrington
2 books43 followersLuke T. Harrington is the only boy who could ever reach you. He's the son of a preacher man. He's also a humorist, podcaster, and award-winning novelist. His debut novel, OPHELIA, ALIVE (A GHOST STORY) won a 2016 Independent Publisher Book Award, and his other work has appeared in publications like BuzzFeed, Cracked, and Christianity Today. His nonfiction debut, MURDER-BEARS, MOONSHINE, AND MAYHEM: STRANGE STORIES FROM THE BIBLE TO LEAVE YOU CONFUSED AND UNCOMFORTABLE, will be out from HarperCollins in 2020. Other projects include Project CoNarrative, a collaborative multimedia experiment with bestselling author K.B. Hoyle, and CHANGED MY MIND WITH LUKE T. HARRINGTON, his podcast where he interviews people who have changed their minds about big, important things. He lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with his wife, two daughters, and yippy doggo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 9, 2022
This is the first of a list of about 20 books that I am working through for my personal Bible study this year and it was a really fun way to start off the year. Have you ever wanted to know where to find every mention of poop in the Bible? Now you don't have to.
This is a very well-researched commentary of some of the grossest and raciest stories in the Bible. If you are a Christian with a sense of humor, this book was written for you. There is definitely some adult content, so this is not for kids. It also goes into sex, rape, and incest Bible stories, so you have been warned.
As silly as it is, the book is well-researched, scripturally sound, and reverential in tone. I laughed and I cringed, but I still learned something. I've read the Bible cover to cover at least 20 times now, but it still pointed out passages in stories I know well and made me look at them from a different lens. One example that I knew but had never thought about too hard is the book of Song of Solomon. Consider this - the book is written from two viewpoints, but Solomon wrote both of them. Ponder that for just a bit.
I would highly recommend this book for a mature, Christian audience.
This is a very well-researched commentary of some of the grossest and raciest stories in the Bible. If you are a Christian with a sense of humor, this book was written for you. There is definitely some adult content, so this is not for kids. It also goes into sex, rape, and incest Bible stories, so you have been warned.
As silly as it is, the book is well-researched, scripturally sound, and reverential in tone. I laughed and I cringed, but I still learned something. I've read the Bible cover to cover at least 20 times now, but it still pointed out passages in stories I know well and made me look at them from a different lens. One example that I knew but had never thought about too hard is the book of Song of Solomon. Consider this - the book is written from two viewpoints, but Solomon wrote both of them. Ponder that for just a bit.
I would highly recommend this book for a mature, Christian audience.
August 12, 2020
Some people will find this book irreverant. I found it straightfoward, honest, and insightful in its attempts to let the Bible speak for itself--especially those passages that we tend to sanitize. If you have pearls and a tendency to clutch them, I'd suggest passing on Murder-Bears. If however you love the Bible, including the weird, uncomfortable, and offensive parts, you might enjoy Harrington's book. It will undoubedly make you squirm, but then if you've made it this far in your study of the Scripture and haven't squirmed yet, then maybe it's exactly what you need.
August 18, 2020
The beloved scriptures we call the Bible contains powerful truths that have changed hearts and minds for centuries. But this book also contains all manner of provocative, disturbing, unusual, and hilarious accounts of living life on earth as a human. In Murder Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem, Luke T. Harrington dissects some of the strangest and most confusing biblical narratives with his signature wit. Harrington masterfully weaves together sharp theological insights with comedic commentary. (Don’t skip the footnotes.) In acknowledging and sharing a laugh over the Bible’s quirks, readers will be awed anew at God’s love and longsuffering for humanity and discover the humor laced throughout the human project. I thoroughly enjoyed this book—it’s exactly the sort of read we need in 2020: thought-provoking yet accessible, oddly bizarre, utterly amusing.
November 24, 2020
First off, every humorous book has to pass my “Dave Barry” test, that is, it makes me laugh out loud the way reading Dave Barry always has. Murderbears, Moonshine, and Mayhem definitely passes. I loved the footnotes and never tired of Harrington’s sense of humor. But it wasn’t only funny. He knows church history and this book is clearly well researched. I learned a lot and I may actually use this book as a serious research book if I ever need to teach or talk about the most uncomfortable parts of the scripture. I was truly impressed by how he drew out themes and provided historical context for many stories. And I will say that his final chapter gave me chills. He understands the vulnerability of the victims and he never makes cheap jokes at the expense of them. The subtitle promised I would be amused, bemused, and informed... and that promise was fulfilled.
February 21, 2022
I enjoyed this book more than I expected to, and I think I might have given it fewer stars if I'd read it instead of listening to the audiobook. The humor probably would have come across as trying too hard or being too irreverent if I had read it in my own tone of voice. The conclusion hit just the right note of making a serious point without being too weighty.
September 25, 2020
You should probably understand a couple of things before reading this book:
1) If you are bothered by playful addresses (in a way, satirical, and in another way, close to the line of being irreverent but not actually irreverent) to some of the weird/yucky stuff in the Bible, this may not be the book for you. However ...
2) I believe the overall TONE of the book as a whole is actually reverent towards the Bible. It assumes the inerrancy of Scripture and places high authority in the Bible. So it's important to recognize that. But ...
3) Much terminology relating to sexual things, body parts, bodily functions, etc. is lightly embraced and joyfully examined. Perhaps that seems paradoxical to you. So be it - I love paradox. But if you struggle with the paradox of straight-up diving into some of the strange actions depicted in the Bible in a bit of a joking way, again, this may not be the book for you.
So here's my overall take, pros and cons:
PROS: As stated, I do believe the overall tone of this book is reverent towards the authority, sufficiency, and inerrancy of the Bible. The joking way in which the author deals with all of the "stuff in the Bible you never examined in Sunday School" is not intended to discredit or bring disrespect to the Bible. Rather, it does the opposite. It shows the point of these things within the context of how/when/why they were written - and HOW stuff like that could end up in the BIBLE. :-) However ...
CONS: Despite the fact that I thought the overall tone was fine, the perpetual joking (and all the silly inuendo) got pretty old pretty quickly. There was just TOO MUCH of it. Maybe he didn't notice it because he wrote this book in stages. But to sit and read this in a short period of time made all of that stuff (with the endless "Heh." footnotes) just got distracting after a while. There were moments of seeing the maturity of what he was doing bringing light to this stuff and showing how it actually all makes SENSE in the Bible even if it feels weird or yucky to read about. But then all of these lines and footnotes drowned so much of that out that it shifted back to feeling like it was written by a junior high boy. To be CLEAR - I do not mind SOME of that. I can appreciate the humor if I can tell it's there's a purpose. But as I said, I think it was a weakness in the book literarily and took away from what could have made this a truly good book.
I hope I have not misunderstood Luke Harrington's intentions. I listened to his interview on the Persuasion podcast and genuinely appreciated hearing his take on this book. (And I'd encourage a listen to this.) I absolutely will give him the benefit of the doubt with regard to his motives. But I do think that readers of this book should be aware of both what it is and what they might encounter. My review is obviously my opinion (and I respect those who find nothing but the positives in this book). I felt there were some weaknesses worth mentioning. But I can also see the value in examining these things and would recommend it to readers who are able to approach a reading of this with maturity.
1) If you are bothered by playful addresses (in a way, satirical, and in another way, close to the line of being irreverent but not actually irreverent) to some of the weird/yucky stuff in the Bible, this may not be the book for you. However ...
2) I believe the overall TONE of the book as a whole is actually reverent towards the Bible. It assumes the inerrancy of Scripture and places high authority in the Bible. So it's important to recognize that. But ...
3) Much terminology relating to sexual things, body parts, bodily functions, etc. is lightly embraced and joyfully examined. Perhaps that seems paradoxical to you. So be it - I love paradox. But if you struggle with the paradox of straight-up diving into some of the strange actions depicted in the Bible in a bit of a joking way, again, this may not be the book for you.
So here's my overall take, pros and cons:
PROS: As stated, I do believe the overall tone of this book is reverent towards the authority, sufficiency, and inerrancy of the Bible. The joking way in which the author deals with all of the "stuff in the Bible you never examined in Sunday School" is not intended to discredit or bring disrespect to the Bible. Rather, it does the opposite. It shows the point of these things within the context of how/when/why they were written - and HOW stuff like that could end up in the BIBLE. :-) However ...
CONS: Despite the fact that I thought the overall tone was fine, the perpetual joking (and all the silly inuendo) got pretty old pretty quickly. There was just TOO MUCH of it. Maybe he didn't notice it because he wrote this book in stages. But to sit and read this in a short period of time made all of that stuff (with the endless "Heh." footnotes) just got distracting after a while. There were moments of seeing the maturity of what he was doing bringing light to this stuff and showing how it actually all makes SENSE in the Bible even if it feels weird or yucky to read about. But then all of these lines and footnotes drowned so much of that out that it shifted back to feeling like it was written by a junior high boy. To be CLEAR - I do not mind SOME of that. I can appreciate the humor if I can tell it's there's a purpose. But as I said, I think it was a weakness in the book literarily and took away from what could have made this a truly good book.
I hope I have not misunderstood Luke Harrington's intentions. I listened to his interview on the Persuasion podcast and genuinely appreciated hearing his take on this book. (And I'd encourage a listen to this.) I absolutely will give him the benefit of the doubt with regard to his motives. But I do think that readers of this book should be aware of both what it is and what they might encounter. My review is obviously my opinion (and I respect those who find nothing but the positives in this book). I felt there were some weaknesses worth mentioning. But I can also see the value in examining these things and would recommend it to readers who are able to approach a reading of this with maturity.
March 20, 2022
This book is about holy poop and other things that well, start off being funny slowly becomes a lot more darker and violent.
The bible, especially the old testament, has a lot of passages that are quite dark and violent, not to mention show how women were treated badly in ancient times.
The author goes through different passages in the bible and gives a candid and more modern look at some things written. The earlier chapters are indeed innocuous and makes one chuckle. However, in later chapters, it gets dark.
I found it an interesting read and I don't mind supporting the author. He did get a few chuckles and head shakes from me. The rest made me glad I'm in the 21st century and we should now be better people. Not all but I'm hopefully more and more people are better human beings.
The bible, especially the old testament, has a lot of passages that are quite dark and violent, not to mention show how women were treated badly in ancient times.
The author goes through different passages in the bible and gives a candid and more modern look at some things written. The earlier chapters are indeed innocuous and makes one chuckle. However, in later chapters, it gets dark.
I found it an interesting read and I don't mind supporting the author. He did get a few chuckles and head shakes from me. The rest made me glad I'm in the 21st century and we should now be better people. Not all but I'm hopefully more and more people are better human beings.
April 16, 2022
I CANNOT recommend this piece of irreverent garbage. The constant jokes, innuendo, and overall tone of this book was a disrespectful jab at GOD'S HOLY, INSPIRED WORDS.
If you want to know where to find every reference to butts, poop, or anything else an 8 year old boy would find humorous, this book definitely does the work for you on that.
I get it: there are some really disgusting stories in the Bible, they are there for our learning, and we should not water them down. We shouldn't make light and make a mockery of them either.
Do NOT waste your time!
If you want to know where to find every reference to butts, poop, or anything else an 8 year old boy would find humorous, this book definitely does the work for you on that.
I get it: there are some really disgusting stories in the Bible, they are there for our learning, and we should not water them down. We shouldn't make light and make a mockery of them either.
Do NOT waste your time!
October 16, 2020
While it should be no secret that most people, Christians included, don't know or understand their Bible, this book takes that fact and runs with it. In full, living, raucous color, Harrington shows us the ways that the humor, realism', and true lessons from this book of scripture has been missed or hidden for centuries. This book is essential for anyone who wants to know a little more about the context behind one of the most famous books ever written.
December 19, 2020
This book was a somewhat humorous way to learn about (and sometimes refresh my memory about) the more weird and violent stories in the bible. It could probably have been a little less wordy but the author wanted to get his point across about how strange, sexual, shocking, and sometimes confusing some of these stories are in a humorous way. In the end, I did find that reading it made the bible stories seem a little more fun and less dry.
March 18, 2021
This was a fun little book to pick up and read when you only had 15-20 minutes at a time. It was a series of funny stories that come from actual Bible passages and certainly shows how context can certainly change the way you read a story or passage. It certainly covered some mature and fun topics from Biblical stories and does a great job of reminding you of some of the lesser known stories and books of the Bible. I found it enjoyable but it won’t be for everyone.
February 5, 2023
This was written from what appears to be the perspective of a HS sophomore boy. There are definitely some funny bits but there wasn't anything I didn't already know and besides saying his intention wasn't to poke fun at the Bible a lot of times it felt like that's what he was doing. The end point is valid, but the road there was bumpy.
March 13, 2022
Playful examination of the parts of the Bible that veer into PG-13+ and bathroom humor territory. I listened to the audiobook as delivered by a comedian, which might be the better route, as it captured the tone and numerous Beavis/Butthead-type asides. Well-researched, and I feel respectful to Christian worshippers. This doesn’t mock or make fun of the verses, but instead points out those of salacious nature and interprets them. My favorite part is that I learned some of that veiled terminology that refers to these things, as the Bible doesn’t ever actually use the word poop.
November 1, 2022
This was a hard review for me to write, because I had a dilemma to wrestle with. Should I be laughing at this book that brings up stories, in the Bible, that we would never talk about in Sunday School or should I be utterly offended? To be honest, I spent half of the book laughing at jokes about poop, butts, and penises (I had to look up how to spell penis in plural form). But halfway through the book, the penis jokes began to get repetitive and it started getting a little old.
Also, I asked myself several times throughout the book, “What is the point of this book?” Is it to show Christians that we do not know as much about the Bible as we think we do or is it an excuse for the author to talk about semi-vulgar subjects or to see how many times he can say the word “penis”? (as I am obviously doing as well in this review) I honestly don’t know and I was left a little confused what the point was.
On a serious note, I felt like he tried to make jokes about the accounts of rape and incest in the Bible. I know those accounts are real, but do we really need to be joking about it? I think that it could have been talked about, but not in a joking manner.
Why did I give it 3 stars instead of 1 or 2? Well, because it did make me laugh and I think it is an interesting book. Would I recommend it? Not to my mom or my Sunday school teacher, but I would quietly recommend it to a close friend who doesn’t get easily offended by the mention of poop or penis jokes.
Also, I asked myself several times throughout the book, “What is the point of this book?” Is it to show Christians that we do not know as much about the Bible as we think we do or is it an excuse for the author to talk about semi-vulgar subjects or to see how many times he can say the word “penis”? (as I am obviously doing as well in this review) I honestly don’t know and I was left a little confused what the point was.
On a serious note, I felt like he tried to make jokes about the accounts of rape and incest in the Bible. I know those accounts are real, but do we really need to be joking about it? I think that it could have been talked about, but not in a joking manner.
Why did I give it 3 stars instead of 1 or 2? Well, because it did make me laugh and I think it is an interesting book. Would I recommend it? Not to my mom or my Sunday school teacher, but I would quietly recommend it to a close friend who doesn’t get easily offended by the mention of poop or penis jokes.
May 27, 2021
“Maybe God just has a sense of humor.”
Note: I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am one of the few people who has had the opportunity to read the Bible in full. I don’t know why my wholly southern Christian high school thought this was a good idea, but as part of my freshman and senior year curriculums, we were assigned passage after passage to read and ponder. While my classmates would highlight the sacred text that most inspired them, I couldn’t get past all the references to eating babies and foreskins that are so often overlooked in Sunday sermons. It was a lonely existence, sitting in the back of a classroom giggling at things no one else thought funny, but it seems I’ve finally found a kindred spirit in Luke Terrell Harrington.
Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem is everything you’d want in a book illuminating the most absurd parts of history’s best-selling book. From poop jokes to commentary breaking down exactly what types of shenanigans the characters in the King James Bible were up to, Harrington writes about Scripture in a way that illuminates and informs any reader.
Harrington does this not to poke fun at the Bible. In fact, he admits to being a believer himself.
To quote the book’s foreword, “If you believe, as I do, that the Bible is God’s message for all of humanity, then it makes sense that it would have something in it for everyone—not just the overeducated theologians, or the prudish old ladies, or the creepy homeschool kids working the Chick-fil-A counter.” In summary, Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem is written so that more people can appreciate the written word, even if those words happen to be “drank wine in front of thousands,” “pitched a tent,” and “demon-possessed pigs.”
I believe that intent is what makes Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem unique. It serves not to undermine those who love the Bible, but rather expand the book’s audience. Not everyone will ever sit down and read the book in full, nor will many sermons intricately discuss the absurd and down-right funny passages as Harrington does. However, I have to agree with the author that after reading this book, I am forced to admit “the Bible is many things, but it is not boring.”
Note: I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am one of the few people who has had the opportunity to read the Bible in full. I don’t know why my wholly southern Christian high school thought this was a good idea, but as part of my freshman and senior year curriculums, we were assigned passage after passage to read and ponder. While my classmates would highlight the sacred text that most inspired them, I couldn’t get past all the references to eating babies and foreskins that are so often overlooked in Sunday sermons. It was a lonely existence, sitting in the back of a classroom giggling at things no one else thought funny, but it seems I’ve finally found a kindred spirit in Luke Terrell Harrington.
Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem is everything you’d want in a book illuminating the most absurd parts of history’s best-selling book. From poop jokes to commentary breaking down exactly what types of shenanigans the characters in the King James Bible were up to, Harrington writes about Scripture in a way that illuminates and informs any reader.
Harrington does this not to poke fun at the Bible. In fact, he admits to being a believer himself.
To quote the book’s foreword, “If you believe, as I do, that the Bible is God’s message for all of humanity, then it makes sense that it would have something in it for everyone—not just the overeducated theologians, or the prudish old ladies, or the creepy homeschool kids working the Chick-fil-A counter.” In summary, Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem is written so that more people can appreciate the written word, even if those words happen to be “drank wine in front of thousands,” “pitched a tent,” and “demon-possessed pigs.”
I believe that intent is what makes Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem unique. It serves not to undermine those who love the Bible, but rather expand the book’s audience. Not everyone will ever sit down and read the book in full, nor will many sermons intricately discuss the absurd and down-right funny passages as Harrington does. However, I have to agree with the author that after reading this book, I am forced to admit “the Bible is many things, but it is not boring.”
April 7, 2020
If you like to read about that strange, violent, and explicitly sexual stories in the Bible one after the other, with modern chatty commentary then this is probably the book for you.
I wasn't sure what to expect, but as I do enjoy the antics of the Babylon Bee and their borderline irreverent humor, I thought I'd give it a try. The author is very chatty and likes to use puns, euphemisms and double entendres, but to be honest I did kinda of sign up for that.
As the book progressed the wordy chatter grew wearisome, and in every instance of questionable translation he would predictably take the more explicit or shocking by today's standards meaning, even if it seemed to be a stretch, not to say that there were times that the more shocking translation seemed to make good sense as well. There were times when I just thought that the irreverence in grasping for a weak joke definitely crossed the line for me multiple times. There were plenty of times when the author provided great context which really brought out the heart of the meaning, but there were also many others when things were just thrown in and it would but like, this miracle is weird, pointless, and unnecessary--when in context there was definitely a reason that it happened that way.
While the book started out novel and entertaining, the tone grew tiresome and I just wasn't there for it. The tone was very modern and "woke", with a tongue in cheek style humor. In my opinion if you want to read about strange, violent, or awkwardly explicit sex stories in the Bible, you are better off just reading the Bible--in context.
*I am aware that I have a lower tolerance for crude jokes than many people
I received a complimentary pre-release copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I wasn't sure what to expect, but as I do enjoy the antics of the Babylon Bee and their borderline irreverent humor, I thought I'd give it a try. The author is very chatty and likes to use puns, euphemisms and double entendres, but to be honest I did kinda of sign up for that.
As the book progressed the wordy chatter grew wearisome, and in every instance of questionable translation he would predictably take the more explicit or shocking by today's standards meaning, even if it seemed to be a stretch, not to say that there were times that the more shocking translation seemed to make good sense as well. There were times when I just thought that the irreverence in grasping for a weak joke definitely crossed the line for me multiple times. There were plenty of times when the author provided great context which really brought out the heart of the meaning, but there were also many others when things were just thrown in and it would but like, this miracle is weird, pointless, and unnecessary--when in context there was definitely a reason that it happened that way.
While the book started out novel and entertaining, the tone grew tiresome and I just wasn't there for it. The tone was very modern and "woke", with a tongue in cheek style humor. In my opinion if you want to read about strange, violent, or awkwardly explicit sex stories in the Bible, you are better off just reading the Bible--in context.
*I am aware that I have a lower tolerance for crude jokes than many people
I received a complimentary pre-release copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
March 21, 2020
Have you ever gone to something along the lines of Pub Theology?
You know what I'm talking about? It's typically some mid-week gathering for faithful and faith-curious adults in a casual atmosphere and, in most cases, it's at some local pub or bar and beer is nearly always involved. They're interesting events that are often filled with fellowship, friendship, theological discussions and, as the evening goes on a bit, less censored discussions around biblical beliefs and practices.
Luke T. Harrington's first foray into the world of non-fiction feels like the kind of book that would come out of an evening of Pub Theology, the kind of evening where the beer flowed a little freely and initially serious discussions about theology turned into giggly, schoolboy discussions about biblical stories we've always secretly wondered about but never actually had the guts to discuss.
Harrington discusses them. Extensively.
"Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem: Strange Stories from the Bible to Leave You Amused, Bemused, and (Hopefully) Informed" is a theological controversy free-for-all that explores the equivalent of the pitch-black comedy of cinema by examining, both seriously and tongue seriously in cheek, familiar and not so familiar biblical texts filled with murder, sex, rape, incest, outcest, contradictions and more. It's a book that will definitely resonate with more fluid theological thinkers, though more serious theological types will likely get caught up in Harrington's frequently flippant, casual, and sarcastic musings that aren't intended as a dismissal of the Bible, but more an honest and humorous look at these texts and what they really mean.
Harrington's debut novel "Ophelia, Alive: A Ghost Story" picked up several awards including a prized IPPY in the category of horror. This book is similarly adventurous. While faith-inspired humor isn't rare, it has seldom been so willing to go dark, convicting, and challenging. Harrington is a PK (Preacher's Kid for the unknowing), a fact that likely explains a lot about his willingness to explore these texts more fully and his dark sense of humor. "Murder-Bears," as I shall now shorten the title in an effort to not make this a 10,000 word review because of the title, is a generally well-researched literary effort, though there's some definite picking and choosing of that research - most of which is actually acknowledged within the text.
Basically, most of the time Harrington tends to side with the "naughtier" interpretation.
Some stories examined in "Murder-Bears" are familiar - Lot, Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, Ezekiel's baking of "poop bread," and others. There are other stories that have proven to be less examined over the years - Elisha and those homicidal bears and Ehud's semi-justifiable assassination of a tyrannical king as a couple examples.
"Murder-Bears" is organized by topic - poop, genitalia, weird violence, prostitution, gratuitous nudity, seemingly pointless miracles, and other topics you may have actually thought about but never thought anyone would actually discuss.
Harrington is a podcaster and an obviously curious type - his podcast "Changed My Mind with Luke T. Harrington" interviews people who've changed their minds about big stuff. I'm assuming poop is included in that big stuff.
Harrington is also a person of faith. The publisher of "Murder-Bears" is a serious publisher of faith-based works. "Murder-bears" is categorized in humor, but that humor is backed by sources and research - though, again, for anyone with a seminary background the research has an obvious slant and tends to ignore alternative research that would be less funny.
"Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem" is a unique reading experience, a book that explores challenging, controversial, and conflicting biblical texts with a unique perspective and a willingness to both question and laugh. While this may seem like a cynical, skeptical text, it's hard to imagine non-believers will appreciate it much as Harrington clearly embraces the side of faith amidst the conflict and has equal fun poking fun at folks like Richard Dawkins who would take a secular eye to sacred text.
Some books almost defy critical review. While I haven't had the privilege of checking out the also to be released audio book, my gut feeling is this is a book that will more come to life with Harrington himself reading it. It's a struggle to "rate," because for the most part I believe "Murder-Bears" is the book that Harrington intended it to be.
It's a book I respected more than enjoyed. For a book categorized as "humor," I seldom, if ever, actually laughed and barely smiled. At times, the tone is so flippant and casual that the more serious points are lost within the sarcasm. It's a "Pub Theology" type of book and that kind of setting and that kind of crowd may completely embrace it. There's value to be had here, but there's a lost balance between research and humor and "Murder-Bears," at least for me, just wasn't an enjoyable read and, perhaps because of my seminary background, I didn't end the book feeling particularly informed.
My primary goal in book criticism is not the determination of whether or not a book is "good" or "bad," but to help potential readers decide if it is for them. While I may experience "Murder-Bears" as a solid 3-star experience, somewhere in the slightly above mid-range experience, those who appreciate Harrington's approach and tone may very well embrace and be thoroughly entertained by his literary effort. It may be helpful to check out Harrington's podcast and decide for yourself if his approach and his tone resonates with you, because much of "Murder-Bears" feels conversational and as if Harrington is having a beer with you having these unpredictable, weird, occasionally entertaining, and open-minded conversations.
Who knows? "Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem" may very well leave you amused, bemused, and, just maybe, even informed.
You know what I'm talking about? It's typically some mid-week gathering for faithful and faith-curious adults in a casual atmosphere and, in most cases, it's at some local pub or bar and beer is nearly always involved. They're interesting events that are often filled with fellowship, friendship, theological discussions and, as the evening goes on a bit, less censored discussions around biblical beliefs and practices.
Luke T. Harrington's first foray into the world of non-fiction feels like the kind of book that would come out of an evening of Pub Theology, the kind of evening where the beer flowed a little freely and initially serious discussions about theology turned into giggly, schoolboy discussions about biblical stories we've always secretly wondered about but never actually had the guts to discuss.
Harrington discusses them. Extensively.
"Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem: Strange Stories from the Bible to Leave You Amused, Bemused, and (Hopefully) Informed" is a theological controversy free-for-all that explores the equivalent of the pitch-black comedy of cinema by examining, both seriously and tongue seriously in cheek, familiar and not so familiar biblical texts filled with murder, sex, rape, incest, outcest, contradictions and more. It's a book that will definitely resonate with more fluid theological thinkers, though more serious theological types will likely get caught up in Harrington's frequently flippant, casual, and sarcastic musings that aren't intended as a dismissal of the Bible, but more an honest and humorous look at these texts and what they really mean.
Harrington's debut novel "Ophelia, Alive: A Ghost Story" picked up several awards including a prized IPPY in the category of horror. This book is similarly adventurous. While faith-inspired humor isn't rare, it has seldom been so willing to go dark, convicting, and challenging. Harrington is a PK (Preacher's Kid for the unknowing), a fact that likely explains a lot about his willingness to explore these texts more fully and his dark sense of humor. "Murder-Bears," as I shall now shorten the title in an effort to not make this a 10,000 word review because of the title, is a generally well-researched literary effort, though there's some definite picking and choosing of that research - most of which is actually acknowledged within the text.
Basically, most of the time Harrington tends to side with the "naughtier" interpretation.
Some stories examined in "Murder-Bears" are familiar - Lot, Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, Ezekiel's baking of "poop bread," and others. There are other stories that have proven to be less examined over the years - Elisha and those homicidal bears and Ehud's semi-justifiable assassination of a tyrannical king as a couple examples.
"Murder-Bears" is organized by topic - poop, genitalia, weird violence, prostitution, gratuitous nudity, seemingly pointless miracles, and other topics you may have actually thought about but never thought anyone would actually discuss.
Harrington is a podcaster and an obviously curious type - his podcast "Changed My Mind with Luke T. Harrington" interviews people who've changed their minds about big stuff. I'm assuming poop is included in that big stuff.
Harrington is also a person of faith. The publisher of "Murder-Bears" is a serious publisher of faith-based works. "Murder-bears" is categorized in humor, but that humor is backed by sources and research - though, again, for anyone with a seminary background the research has an obvious slant and tends to ignore alternative research that would be less funny.
"Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem" is a unique reading experience, a book that explores challenging, controversial, and conflicting biblical texts with a unique perspective and a willingness to both question and laugh. While this may seem like a cynical, skeptical text, it's hard to imagine non-believers will appreciate it much as Harrington clearly embraces the side of faith amidst the conflict and has equal fun poking fun at folks like Richard Dawkins who would take a secular eye to sacred text.
Some books almost defy critical review. While I haven't had the privilege of checking out the also to be released audio book, my gut feeling is this is a book that will more come to life with Harrington himself reading it. It's a struggle to "rate," because for the most part I believe "Murder-Bears" is the book that Harrington intended it to be.
It's a book I respected more than enjoyed. For a book categorized as "humor," I seldom, if ever, actually laughed and barely smiled. At times, the tone is so flippant and casual that the more serious points are lost within the sarcasm. It's a "Pub Theology" type of book and that kind of setting and that kind of crowd may completely embrace it. There's value to be had here, but there's a lost balance between research and humor and "Murder-Bears," at least for me, just wasn't an enjoyable read and, perhaps because of my seminary background, I didn't end the book feeling particularly informed.
My primary goal in book criticism is not the determination of whether or not a book is "good" or "bad," but to help potential readers decide if it is for them. While I may experience "Murder-Bears" as a solid 3-star experience, somewhere in the slightly above mid-range experience, those who appreciate Harrington's approach and tone may very well embrace and be thoroughly entertained by his literary effort. It may be helpful to check out Harrington's podcast and decide for yourself if his approach and his tone resonates with you, because much of "Murder-Bears" feels conversational and as if Harrington is having a beer with you having these unpredictable, weird, occasionally entertaining, and open-minded conversations.
Who knows? "Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem" may very well leave you amused, bemused, and, just maybe, even informed.
October 5, 2021
The description ought to tell you about what you need to know about this book. The humor is admittedly puerile, but it did make me laugh. I appreciated the irreverent perspective, but it might not be to everyone's taste.
If you wish to make a case against censorship of books on grounds of "inappropriate" content, this book might just be a good resource.
If you wish to make a case against censorship of books on grounds of "inappropriate" content, this book might just be a good resource.
September 15, 2020
If you’ve ever opened a Bible for any length of time, chances are that you’ve come across some weird stuff. Not weird stuff like this is my body, broken for you or weird like a guy coming back to life, but weird like—inappropriately so. Scripture is filled with sex, violence, and scatological humor. Prophets are commanded to do weird things, like lay out their side for a year and cook with poop. David, in the chapter immediately following his encounter with Goliath, sets off on a mission to kill two hundred Philistines and returns to Saul with their foreskins.
Luke T. Harrington’s Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem collects these stories, emphasizes just how weird, gross, or inappropriate they are, and then tries to give you some idea of why it’s in Scripture. (Hey, sometimes it’s just because the Bible is history and when a king gets eaten by crotch worms…) The result is a unique look at Scripture that is both a little bit irreverent while also being quite informative.
Example. At the end of Genesis 24, we read about the first time that Isaac and Rebekah meet. Genesis 24:63 says that Isaac was out in the fields meditating when Rebekah came sauntering in on father Abraham’s camels. Meditating. If you’re reading any Bible translation with footnotes, you’ll find that we don’t really know the meaning of lasuah, the Hebrew word being translated. (Walking, bowing down, praying, and meditating are the common translations.) However, scholars have recently discovered an Arabic cognate of the word that is almost always about digging a pit to poop or pee in. Harrington backs all this up with a scholarly source: “Lasuah in Genesis XXIV 63,” Vetus Testamentum 45, no. 4 (1995): 558-560.
Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem takes you beyond just the surface-level grossness and oddities (of which there are plenty), but delves into the abyss of linguistics and culture to discover all the bits of shiny corn in the poop. It’s shockingly well-researched. Enough so that I—seminary-educated, with a fondness for the weird things of the Bible—learned at least one new thing per chapter.
Harrington’s style is either love it or hate it. There are jokey asides in the footnotes, stream-of-consciousness paragraphs that eventually meander back to the main point, occasional inserts that break up the flow of the main text, and an attempt to place a zinger in every paragraph. Some jokes hit, some miss (most hit), some get beaten into the ground. It’s maybe a book I’d recommend taking a chapter a day so you don’t get oversaturated with it. And if you want to see if the style is for you, Harrington’s viral article that let to the book can be found at Cracked.com. (Ah, Cracked, how good you used to be.)
Conclusion: If you’re the type of person who would like a book like this, you’ll love this book. It’s not perfect. It never bored me, but it did wear me down at points. Written humor is a difficult medium, but Harrington pulls it off well. Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem is an entertaining, informative, and gross look into Scripture in all its humanness, showing that the people of the past aren’t too unlike us today.
Luke T. Harrington’s Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem collects these stories, emphasizes just how weird, gross, or inappropriate they are, and then tries to give you some idea of why it’s in Scripture. (Hey, sometimes it’s just because the Bible is history and when a king gets eaten by crotch worms…) The result is a unique look at Scripture that is both a little bit irreverent while also being quite informative.
Example. At the end of Genesis 24, we read about the first time that Isaac and Rebekah meet. Genesis 24:63 says that Isaac was out in the fields meditating when Rebekah came sauntering in on father Abraham’s camels. Meditating. If you’re reading any Bible translation with footnotes, you’ll find that we don’t really know the meaning of lasuah, the Hebrew word being translated. (Walking, bowing down, praying, and meditating are the common translations.) However, scholars have recently discovered an Arabic cognate of the word that is almost always about digging a pit to poop or pee in. Harrington backs all this up with a scholarly source: “Lasuah in Genesis XXIV 63,” Vetus Testamentum 45, no. 4 (1995): 558-560.
Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem takes you beyond just the surface-level grossness and oddities (of which there are plenty), but delves into the abyss of linguistics and culture to discover all the bits of shiny corn in the poop. It’s shockingly well-researched. Enough so that I—seminary-educated, with a fondness for the weird things of the Bible—learned at least one new thing per chapter.
Harrington’s style is either love it or hate it. There are jokey asides in the footnotes, stream-of-consciousness paragraphs that eventually meander back to the main point, occasional inserts that break up the flow of the main text, and an attempt to place a zinger in every paragraph. Some jokes hit, some miss (most hit), some get beaten into the ground. It’s maybe a book I’d recommend taking a chapter a day so you don’t get oversaturated with it. And if you want to see if the style is for you, Harrington’s viral article that let to the book can be found at Cracked.com. (Ah, Cracked, how good you used to be.)
Conclusion: If you’re the type of person who would like a book like this, you’ll love this book. It’s not perfect. It never bored me, but it did wear me down at points. Written humor is a difficult medium, but Harrington pulls it off well. Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem is an entertaining, informative, and gross look into Scripture in all its humanness, showing that the people of the past aren’t too unlike us today.
October 8, 2020
I have to admit I laughed numerous times while reading this book. But I cringed many more times while reading this book.
When I read these stories from the Bible years ago I found stories that distinctly affirmed why we human beings are in such great need of a Savior, which is Jesus Christ. If you take these stories at their base level without seeing the point of why they were told in the Bible in the first place they are simply ugly and shocking. In the author's conclusion he ended the book with what he called the most depraved story in the Bible from the book of Judges, chapter 19. I agree, it is the most depraved story in the Bible. When I first read this account in the Bible years ago of a woman being gang raped and dismembered I was utterly shocked and disturbed beyond imagination. It was my first experience of having something so shocking in my mind that I couldn't release it from my mind for days, even weeks. In telling that story in his conclusion the author segueways into a few paragraphs on the subject of sin. Which is really what all these shocking stories in the Bible, mostly in the Old Testament, reveal, our sinful nature as humans. He says it is obvious that “God cares about sin.” Agreed. He then talks about evil's reality and asks what do we do with that? Do we laugh about it, or mourn it? Rage against it, or deny it? Just stare at it stoically? Celebrate it? He chose to laugh about it but for me that was too simple and at many points offensive and grievous. Harrington states, “I found it difficult, as I was putting this book together, to keep the current trend toward aesthetic backpedaling – from “Haha, offensive stuff is hilarious!” to “Oops, we just remembered why that stuff is offensive” - out of my head. I am a famously chill dude, but there will always be the knowledge in the back of my mind that my daughters, as daughters, are statistically more likely than average to end up raped and dismembered somewhere.......I can't teach them things that come only from experience – like how much pain sin can cause." That is exactly the experience I had reading this book, laughing sometimes but then being offended most of the time as I became aware, once again, how much pain sin can cause.
In my conclusion of this book review, I don't recommend this book as it is a cringeworthy, offensive read and does a disservice to the Bible stories presented therein and how God meant for these stories to move in our hearts to understand that “there but for the Grace of God go I” and therefore to see and understand why we need our Savior, Jesus Christ.
When I read these stories from the Bible years ago I found stories that distinctly affirmed why we human beings are in such great need of a Savior, which is Jesus Christ. If you take these stories at their base level without seeing the point of why they were told in the Bible in the first place they are simply ugly and shocking. In the author's conclusion he ended the book with what he called the most depraved story in the Bible from the book of Judges, chapter 19. I agree, it is the most depraved story in the Bible. When I first read this account in the Bible years ago of a woman being gang raped and dismembered I was utterly shocked and disturbed beyond imagination. It was my first experience of having something so shocking in my mind that I couldn't release it from my mind for days, even weeks. In telling that story in his conclusion the author segueways into a few paragraphs on the subject of sin. Which is really what all these shocking stories in the Bible, mostly in the Old Testament, reveal, our sinful nature as humans. He says it is obvious that “God cares about sin.” Agreed. He then talks about evil's reality and asks what do we do with that? Do we laugh about it, or mourn it? Rage against it, or deny it? Just stare at it stoically? Celebrate it? He chose to laugh about it but for me that was too simple and at many points offensive and grievous. Harrington states, “I found it difficult, as I was putting this book together, to keep the current trend toward aesthetic backpedaling – from “Haha, offensive stuff is hilarious!” to “Oops, we just remembered why that stuff is offensive” - out of my head. I am a famously chill dude, but there will always be the knowledge in the back of my mind that my daughters, as daughters, are statistically more likely than average to end up raped and dismembered somewhere.......I can't teach them things that come only from experience – like how much pain sin can cause." That is exactly the experience I had reading this book, laughing sometimes but then being offended most of the time as I became aware, once again, how much pain sin can cause.
In my conclusion of this book review, I don't recommend this book as it is a cringeworthy, offensive read and does a disservice to the Bible stories presented therein and how God meant for these stories to move in our hearts to understand that “there but for the Grace of God go I” and therefore to see and understand why we need our Savior, Jesus Christ.
December 12, 2020
I'll be the first to admit that the author's sense of humor isn't mine. Maybe it's my family's background in Mennonite traditions which taught me that sarcasm is of the devil. Maybe it's that I'm currently raising three small boys and I'm and up to my eyeballs in poop and butt jokes and "please keep your private parts private" discussions on an everyday basis, but I just don't find it funny. (My kids, on the other hand, giggle endlessly every time they remember how Moses saw God's "booboo," so I am aware that there is a subset of the population that will thoroughly enjoy these kinds of jokes.)
HOWEVER, I chose to look past the writing style and focus on the content, and was not disappointed. I've read and listened to this author on other topics and through other sources and always find him to be well-informed, balanced, and insightful. One episode of his "Changed My Mind" podcast has been particularly impactful on me even to this day, so I was eager to hear what he had to say. Harrington's willingness to address issues in the Bible that most church leaders would rather not mention (or maybe don't even realize are there!) is refreshing. He takes "Sunday School" lessons and gives them a humanity and depth that make the characters more relatable to adults looking for deeper meaning to the familiar childhood stories, and proves once again that the Bible is literally anything but boring. I was surprised at how many times the insights and interpretations he presents in this book have proved useful to me in better understanding other Biblical passages as well.
"Murder Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem" is an odd marriage between childish puns and R-rated content, emotionally feeling light-hearted while at the same time having more serious depth and theological soundness than most sermons you'll hear. So regardless of which aspect appeals to you more, I'd encourage you to give this book a try.
HOWEVER, I chose to look past the writing style and focus on the content, and was not disappointed. I've read and listened to this author on other topics and through other sources and always find him to be well-informed, balanced, and insightful. One episode of his "Changed My Mind" podcast has been particularly impactful on me even to this day, so I was eager to hear what he had to say. Harrington's willingness to address issues in the Bible that most church leaders would rather not mention (or maybe don't even realize are there!) is refreshing. He takes "Sunday School" lessons and gives them a humanity and depth that make the characters more relatable to adults looking for deeper meaning to the familiar childhood stories, and proves once again that the Bible is literally anything but boring. I was surprised at how many times the insights and interpretations he presents in this book have proved useful to me in better understanding other Biblical passages as well.
"Murder Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem" is an odd marriage between childish puns and R-rated content, emotionally feeling light-hearted while at the same time having more serious depth and theological soundness than most sermons you'll hear. So regardless of which aspect appeals to you more, I'd encourage you to give this book a try.
May 30, 2021
I'm not sure how Harrington manages to highlight and find both humor and horror in so many of the Bible's most troubling passages without ever finding them less valuable. He's neither an apologist for the Bible nor a critic - rather, he seems to genuinely accept it as an important guide to our limited time here on earth without ignoring or glossing over the-- well, the many butt jokes, rapes, and dismemberments. Instead, Harrington seems to find these moments grounded in fallen humanity and how much we suck when we're short-sighted, selfish, or otherwise trapped in our own inadequacies (which - apparently - are pretty important themes in the Bible).
Lest you worry this is the print equivalent to the 70s youth pastor with hair just long enough to be down-with-the-kids and a penchant for playing Larry Norman and Randy Stonehill songs a bit too thoughtfully, Murder Bears is far too genuine to fall of that ledge. More importantly, it's too damn funny. Harrington's timing and sense of the absurd is impeccable, and his humor remains thoroughly accessible - drawing you in and taking the edge off of some otherwise uncomfortable topics. If Dave Barry and Joss Whedon co-taught sex ed in a rough neighborhood high school, their tone might begin to capture some of what Harrington has brilliantly pulled off here.
Finally, it would be remiss not to make note of his scholarship. Underneath the snickering and the best use of footnotes ever utilized in an e-book, Harrington has not only done his homework but writes with the comfort and authority of someone long-grounded in Biblical languages and world cultures. He pulls a bit of a Hannah Gadsby at the end and wraps up the text with some (unexpectedly?) personal thoughts and reflections on what it all means, but it works - probably because he writes not as someone trying to persuade us of anything, but as someone still traveling that road and merely letting us tag along for awhile.
I, for one, am extremely glad that he did.
Lest you worry this is the print equivalent to the 70s youth pastor with hair just long enough to be down-with-the-kids and a penchant for playing Larry Norman and Randy Stonehill songs a bit too thoughtfully, Murder Bears is far too genuine to fall of that ledge. More importantly, it's too damn funny. Harrington's timing and sense of the absurd is impeccable, and his humor remains thoroughly accessible - drawing you in and taking the edge off of some otherwise uncomfortable topics. If Dave Barry and Joss Whedon co-taught sex ed in a rough neighborhood high school, their tone might begin to capture some of what Harrington has brilliantly pulled off here.
Finally, it would be remiss not to make note of his scholarship. Underneath the snickering and the best use of footnotes ever utilized in an e-book, Harrington has not only done his homework but writes with the comfort and authority of someone long-grounded in Biblical languages and world cultures. He pulls a bit of a Hannah Gadsby at the end and wraps up the text with some (unexpectedly?) personal thoughts and reflections on what it all means, but it works - probably because he writes not as someone trying to persuade us of anything, but as someone still traveling that road and merely letting us tag along for awhile.
I, for one, am extremely glad that he did.
February 20, 2022
Listen to this Book!
Even if you don't usually do audiobooks, this one is definitely best enjoyed (in my opinion) by audio. Holy Cow. I laughed. I chuckled. I face-palmed and guffawed like an idiot...alone...in my car. The guy at the light next to me thought I was drunk. I didn't care.
This author is going to take some Bible lessons you've heard along with some you've never dreamed of and reduce them to their basest element: bodily functions. Yep. Think middle school humor here, and you've got the idea.
Except he's not doing this to ridicule the Bible or to just be outrageous. He's reminding us that the Bible is about real people who did some things that were (shall we say) less than stellar. Many of these people were the ones Sunday School held up as amazing heroes of the Bible, and they were. But they were also human and participated in basic human functions like pooping and sex, as well as Stupid People Tricks. People like Moses, David, Ezekiel, and Ruth. Don't worry, he doesn't spare the New Testament, either.
The great part is that this all well researched. The author is not just giving his opinion, he's giving you facts you may not have known. Like Hebrew euphemisms for various dangly bits or for taking a dump. Don't be offended--I don't know anyone who doesn't participate in that bit of human ritual, like it or not.
If the concept of seeing Biblical characters from your childhood talked about as real people offends you, then please skip this book. If humor about bodily functions, nakedness, genitalia, or sex offends you, go ahead and move on. Feel free to read Strong's Bible Concordance instead. It's an awesome work.
For those of us who can find something funny about those things considered to be the core of juvenile humor, this is must-read. Except I really do advise listening to the audiobook. The narrator caught the humor of this work so well, he sounds like he could have written it.
Even if you don't usually do audiobooks, this one is definitely best enjoyed (in my opinion) by audio. Holy Cow. I laughed. I chuckled. I face-palmed and guffawed like an idiot...alone...in my car. The guy at the light next to me thought I was drunk. I didn't care.
This author is going to take some Bible lessons you've heard along with some you've never dreamed of and reduce them to their basest element: bodily functions. Yep. Think middle school humor here, and you've got the idea.
Except he's not doing this to ridicule the Bible or to just be outrageous. He's reminding us that the Bible is about real people who did some things that were (shall we say) less than stellar. Many of these people were the ones Sunday School held up as amazing heroes of the Bible, and they were. But they were also human and participated in basic human functions like pooping and sex, as well as Stupid People Tricks. People like Moses, David, Ezekiel, and Ruth. Don't worry, he doesn't spare the New Testament, either.
The great part is that this all well researched. The author is not just giving his opinion, he's giving you facts you may not have known. Like Hebrew euphemisms for various dangly bits or for taking a dump. Don't be offended--I don't know anyone who doesn't participate in that bit of human ritual, like it or not.
If the concept of seeing Biblical characters from your childhood talked about as real people offends you, then please skip this book. If humor about bodily functions, nakedness, genitalia, or sex offends you, go ahead and move on. Feel free to read Strong's Bible Concordance instead. It's an awesome work.
For those of us who can find something funny about those things considered to be the core of juvenile humor, this is must-read. Except I really do advise listening to the audiobook. The narrator caught the humor of this work so well, he sounds like he could have written it.
November 30, 2020
The Bible has some weird, and even uncomfortable, stories in it that many people don't even realize because the Church tends to skip over them. Or if the church does briefly talk about something weird in the Bible, they make sure to do it in a way that seems as least weird as possible. Harrington takes the opposite approach and just barrels right in with talking about all of the weird, gross, and uncomfortable things throughout the Bible. He does so in a funny way, but he also did a ton of research for the book so for some of the things he points out why it may have happened that way (for other things there doesn't seem to be an explanation, but that's not uncommon for the Bible).
While the book was funny and I enjoyed a deeper dive into parts of the Bible I normally don't study, my favorite part as in the conclusion when Harrington talks about reading the Bible to his daughter and how it's going to be tough to explain why some things were allowed to happen (i.e. rape) and why they're still allowed to happen. I would have like more of that because many Christians don't seem to readily point out these tough parts of the Bible that make us uncomfrotable, especially if it involves one of the "Biblical heroes." I am glad Harrington at least touched on it some and overall enjoyed this book.
While the book was funny and I enjoyed a deeper dive into parts of the Bible I normally don't study, my favorite part as in the conclusion when Harrington talks about reading the Bible to his daughter and how it's going to be tough to explain why some things were allowed to happen (i.e. rape) and why they're still allowed to happen. I would have like more of that because many Christians don't seem to readily point out these tough parts of the Bible that make us uncomfrotable, especially if it involves one of the "Biblical heroes." I am glad Harrington at least touched on it some and overall enjoyed this book.
October 8, 2020
Frederick Buechner once wrote:
"When a minister reads out of the Bible, I am sure that at least nine times out of ten the people who happen to be listening at all hear not what is really being read but only what they expect to hear read. And I think that what most people expect to hear read from the Bible is an edifying story, an uplifting thought, a moral lesson, something elevating, obvious, and boring. So that is exactly what very often they do hear. Only that is too bad because if you really listen—and maybe you have to forget that it is the Bible being read and a minister who is reading it—there is no telling what you might hear."
In Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem Luke Harrington proves he's someone who really listens to the Bible. And the result is anything but obvious and boring. There's no telling what we might hear (or bear).
The writing is laugh out loud funny and the research staunch. I know the point of this book isn't to defend the Bible, but I can't see how someone (Christian or not) can walk away from Luke's work and not appreciate scripture at least a little bit more.
"When a minister reads out of the Bible, I am sure that at least nine times out of ten the people who happen to be listening at all hear not what is really being read but only what they expect to hear read. And I think that what most people expect to hear read from the Bible is an edifying story, an uplifting thought, a moral lesson, something elevating, obvious, and boring. So that is exactly what very often they do hear. Only that is too bad because if you really listen—and maybe you have to forget that it is the Bible being read and a minister who is reading it—there is no telling what you might hear."
In Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem Luke Harrington proves he's someone who really listens to the Bible. And the result is anything but obvious and boring. There's no telling what we might hear (or bear).
The writing is laugh out loud funny and the research staunch. I know the point of this book isn't to defend the Bible, but I can't see how someone (Christian or not) can walk away from Luke's work and not appreciate scripture at least a little bit more.
June 13, 2023
The sassy wit in this book had me literally laughing out loud! I would run to the next room to read sections of the book to others so they could enjoy the humor (and especially the footnotes) with me! He cracked me up!
Despite the silliness, it was very well researched and biblically accurate. It has some racier content so definitely for a mature audience!
I was very grateful for both the introduction and the conclusion. Had I not read him say in the introduction that he didn't write this to "ridicule the Bible," certain parts of it would have made me question if this was mockery. He, in fact, explains he loves the Bible and just wants more people to crack it open.
Then, in the conclusion, he draws it all together and shows something we can learn.
I think the author did a great job engaging his audience and making people wanna crack that book open (meaning, the Bible. But his book, too)
Despite the silliness, it was very well researched and biblically accurate. It has some racier content so definitely for a mature audience!
I was very grateful for both the introduction and the conclusion. Had I not read him say in the introduction that he didn't write this to "ridicule the Bible," certain parts of it would have made me question if this was mockery. He, in fact, explains he loves the Bible and just wants more people to crack it open.
Then, in the conclusion, he draws it all together and shows something we can learn.
I think the author did a great job engaging his audience and making people wanna crack that book open (meaning, the Bible. But his book, too)
November 14, 2024
Mr. Harrington's book is an eye-opener.
As I was reading this, I thought of the banned books nationwide.
As Mr. Harrinton teaches us, several passages throughout the Bible that would add it to a banned book list if it had another title.
The Old Testament is scattered with tales of rape, incest, murder, and cities burned to the ground killing everyone in the town.
The book is full of great information that will enlighten you and he explains why some passages are changed to fit the narrative the translators wish to convey.
Mr. Harrinton is well-versed in the Bible and has been published in Christian publications.
He makes several observations about the things in the Bible that are taken out of context to fit a narrative that fits their beliefs, not what the Bible teaches.
An observation put forth at the end of this book, for me, makes a point of what I've been trying to have people understand about banned books.
As I was reading this, I thought of the banned books nationwide.
As Mr. Harrinton teaches us, several passages throughout the Bible that would add it to a banned book list if it had another title.
The Old Testament is scattered with tales of rape, incest, murder, and cities burned to the ground killing everyone in the town.
The book is full of great information that will enlighten you and he explains why some passages are changed to fit the narrative the translators wish to convey.
Mr. Harrinton is well-versed in the Bible and has been published in Christian publications.
He makes several observations about the things in the Bible that are taken out of context to fit a narrative that fits their beliefs, not what the Bible teaches.
An observation put forth at the end of this book, for me, makes a point of what I've been trying to have people understand about banned books.
January 12, 2021
A delightfully funny look at the weirdest (and most disturbing) stories in the Bible. Although I was familiar with most of the stories presented, I found myself frequently giggling aloud at the witty and insightful retellings. There's a fine line to walk in a humor book ABOUT the Bible between being respectful of the source while pointing out the humor and absurdity that is often masked by archaic language (sometimes intentionality so by the translators!), but Harrington does a nimble job of walking that line. I appreciated the evident amount of biblical, historical, and theological research that went into this book, especially when the footnotes were also so heavily interspersed with butt jokes. I learned a lot, and I loved the conclusion that reminds us that the Bible is honest about brokenness and sin because facing that truth is the only way to find the healing and restoration that God offers us through Jesus.
April 23, 2022
3.5/4
"Lamb" by Christopher Moore may be one of my favorite religious-adjacent books that I can't recommend to people, ya know?
This is kind of the same way-- the author is a PK who found the weird stuff in the Bible interesting. Between the "heh hehs" and induendo, there's legit good commentary and research. And he's not writing off crappy behavior just because it's in the Bible. There's so much rape, and he calls it what it is instead of going "well culturally at the time it was excusable for Abram to sleep with Hagar" or whatever.
Overall, I liked it and it was a fast read (I didn't read all the footnotes because of hoopla formatting). But you have to be in the right mindset (i.e. not doing a serious Bible study with your mom).
"Lamb" by Christopher Moore may be one of my favorite religious-adjacent books that I can't recommend to people, ya know?
This is kind of the same way-- the author is a PK who found the weird stuff in the Bible interesting. Between the "heh hehs" and induendo, there's legit good commentary and research. And he's not writing off crappy behavior just because it's in the Bible. There's so much rape, and he calls it what it is instead of going "well culturally at the time it was excusable for Abram to sleep with Hagar" or whatever.
Overall, I liked it and it was a fast read (I didn't read all the footnotes because of hoopla formatting). But you have to be in the right mindset (i.e. not doing a serious Bible study with your mom).
December 27, 2023
This book did not get the fifth star due to my own concerns, of it being far too humorous, for the subject. Bias. I love the Holy Bible, the study of it and attempts to understand it. This was a totally different approach than I am used to, and I had some trouble with it. Having said this, it is a valid discussion of the oddities, "strange stories" recorded within it. Having read the Bible a few times over the years and love/d it, these were stories I knew. However, there were details and perspectives, I did not have and for this I am grateful to the author. The book goes into the theology section of my own library. I recommend it to others. Perhaps not young others. Well immature others.
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