Let me begin by stating that I almost exclusively read textbooks in academic theology, so reading a novel is therefore something of a novelty for me. And the only reason that I did read this novel is because it is written by Doug Wilson, who in the last few years have become one of my absolute favourite writers (one of my favourite preachers too, by the way). So my statements about this book comes from someone who doesn't know much about novels. But anyhow, the book is absolutely brilliant, and I am certain that it will benefit all of it's reader in some way, though it requires some basic knowledge of church life and american evangelicalism to understand the references and what's really going on.The story is mostly tragic and sad, but it also has its sweet and beautiful moments, it even has hints of love in there!Wether sad or sweet, the whole book is thoroughly funny in a satirical way. I laughed loudly quite a bit.No one makes fun of evangelicals, like Doug Wilson makes fun of evangelicals. I really don't know what else to say without spoiling it too much for those who intend to read it, but if you are not conviced yet, I will here quote the introductory remark, which I am sure will have a persuasive effect;"This is as good a place as any to insist that all the characters in Evangellyfish are fictional, and I made them all up out of my own head. Any resemblance to any real people, living or dead, is their own darn fault. If they quit acting like that, the resemblance would cease immediately and we wouldn't have to worry about it." I bought and read this book because I love fiction. I love good doctrine and I love to see it lived out. I think fiction is often more true than nonfiction because with nonfiction the author is trying to tell the truth. The author is obligated to express his views as straightforward as possible. In fiction, the author simply is. So, by trying to tell the truth one's culture and blind spots are ignored and therefore glaring. In fiction those same blind spots are expressed because the art of the author is part of that culture rather than supposedly separated. When I picked up this book, I expected so see something special. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed. I found Evangellyfish to be more full of stereotypes and sarcasm than any real helpful art. The pompous sinning pastor Chad was little more than a pagan. He was not a "brother" that needed forgiveness. He was simply a hypocritical carnal man. The world is full of them. After reading the reviews about how the story made people "squirm" because it was "scathing" I expected more. What if the man was actually a brother? What if it was a surprise? What if John Mitchell sinned and had hidden it? What then? What if it was John Mitchell's son? I guess that wouldn't be "hilarious" any more. It would be more like real life. What we need is not some kind of bashing on mega-churches. I don't understand the mega-church model, and I don't know how anything can really be effective with so many people. I feel the same way about governments. Keep it small and it is more manageable, when you start dealing with thousands and millions of people only God knows what to do. However, the one sided stupidity shown in the mega-church in this book is really unfair. They were a bunch of politicians that were settling for peanuts. That's not hilarious; not unless the reader is getting some kind of satisfaction that their righteous little fellowship could never turn into something so ridiculous. The fact of the matter is this: God's people, the Church, are found everywhere. They can be discovered in all kind of buildings. Buildings big and small with good and bad doctrine. They are also all sinned against. We have walking wounded because people are stabbed and mutilated by their brothers. What do we do about it? How do we expose sin, repent, and fellowship again? How do we life as part of the body? Expressing the problem of sin in the Church like Doug Wilson does in Evangellyfish makes the solution of solving the real problem even more remote. Often in our faith we need to appear that we, as Christians, and even leaders, have it all together with all the right answers. This story supports that simple idea of having "it all together". What's real is that our brothers, spouses, and children, sin. We sin. People hurt us, and we don't understand. What do we do about that? We believe, we forgive, and we keep marching ahead in love. We hope desperately to express the love of Christ because He loved us while we were sinners. But, it's not easy, and often not pretty. I guess it's not satire either. I had hoped this book would show how to forgive brothers, not just paint the obvious and ridiculous picture of the corporate mega-church.
What do You think about Evangellyfish (2012)?
Critique of modern evangelicalism. And has the added bonus of being funny and spot-on.
—Peace
Pretty good. If you like Wilson, then you will enjoy this.
—molly
Clever satire of the lower realms of evangelicalism.
—Tamuna
