Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem
Strange Stories from the Bible to Leave You Amused, Bemused, and (Hopefully) Informed
- Biblical Studies & Commentaries
- Publisher: W Publishing Group (Thomas Nelson)
- Published: 2020
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Publisher's Description
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: Combines humor and education to give better insight into some of the strangest parts of the Bible Organized by topic (poop, genitalia, weird violence, prostitution, gratuitous nudity, seemingly pointless miracles, and other fun stuff) Is a thoroughly researched (really!), reverent, and insightful look at the best-selling book in history Makes a perfect gift for pastors and white elephant parties 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.
Endorsements (9)
“Harrington’s book is priceless—I read it in one sitting and laughed till I cried. The humor is cutting and relevant in a way that often is missing from Christian writing. I appreciate that he doesn’t shy away from complicated relationships and questionable decisions in the stories found in the Scriptures. Five stars!”
“What Murder-Bears gets right is that the best way to take the Bible seriously is not to take it so seriously. While its purpose may be divine, the Bible is a deeply human book, full of deeply human things. Human things like farts and over-the-top murders and butts and ding-dongs.”
“We’ve grown bored of the socially acceptable version of the Bible. That’s why we need someone like Luke Harrington who is somehow able to see the Bible for what it is: a book full of gross, disgusting, scandalous incidents. By forcing us to reckon with the more unbecoming details that get left out of our children’s story Bibles, Luke reclaims the Bible for adults and teenage boys everywhere.”
“The Bible is many wonderful things, including weird. We need more weird writers writing about it. And I say that as the highest compliment because Luke writes with verve and fun and style, and there aren’t many who can do that. He makes us see weirdness in a fresh way, which, as it turns out, is a beautiful way.”
“Finally someone has written the definitive work about homicidal animals, divine poop, and foreskins. But not only that, Luke Harrington has also redeemed these disparate ideas by explaining and celebrating their correlation to the Holy Scripture. I wish all books about the Bible were this much fun.”
“As I was reading this book, my eight-year-old wandered into my office and started reading over my shoulder. ‘He’s very connected to poop,’ he commented. It was an accurate observation. But there was more than just poop. Or butts. Or man-eating bears. Or circumcision jokes. Beneath the edgy hilarity I saw a real affection for the Good Book and the God who inspired it. Harrington just better hope that God has a sense of humor—or those bears might be coming for him.”
“A good book, from what I am told. Of course I haven’t read it—I am too busy being an Evangelical Thought Leader and engaging the culture with hot takes—but Luke has assured me that if you read it, there is a 63 percent chance you will get holier, 50 percent of the time.”
“Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem is like a comedy act and a seminary course rolled into one. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that had me laughing out loud and looking at the footnotes as many times as this one. Luke Harrington gives the grit and gore of the Bible its due—and masterfully shows how even these point us to grace and to the gospel.”
“The beloved scriptures we call the Bible contain 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 long-suffering for humanity and discover the humor laced throughout the human project.”
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