Murder Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem, by Luke Harrington

Have you ever been reading the Bible and thought "Well that's strange/ offensive/ violent/ gross/ nasty/ disgusting!"  Luke Harrington, preacher's kid, humorist, and novelist, had those thoughts frequently enough that he's gathered many of those passages into a book, Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem: Strange Stories from the Bible to Leave You Amused, Bemused, and (Hopefully) Informed. 

The stories Harrington tells are stories you may have heard before, but by putting them all together in a book, he really makes the Bible look like a nutty book.  This is not a devotional book.  It's not a book you would want to give to a child.  And it's probably not a book you want to give to a new believer or someone who is struggling in his or her faith.

To enjoy this book you have to have a strong sense of humor, especially an appreciation for potty jokes, and strong tolerance for jokes and language that push the boundaries of church talk.  The chapter titles alone give you an idea of what to expect: "I Like Biblical Butts and I Cannot Lie," "And Now for Something Completely Violent," and "Take a Tip from Me (Circumcision and More Phallic Fun)."  In my opinion, even when he's being irreverent, he doesn't cross the line to disrespect for the Bible or corrupting the message of the gospel.  However, there were several points at which I thought, "I can't believe a Christian publisher put this out!"

Harrington's writing is frequently laugh-out-loud funny and, as the subtitle promises, frequently informative.  Yes, he's getting a laugh out of some of the zanier passages of scripture, but he does so in a way that puts the potentially offensive material in context and helps the reader understand how these passages fit into the overall message of the Bible.  This is funny stuff that should find an honored spot on your Bible study bookshelf.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!