PARODIC SATIRE: Being Christian means being tough skinned!

A Heavenly Candidate | Washingtonpost.com

Hat Tip to - WaPo Lauds Liberal Jesus-for-Prez Novel: He's a 'Unitarian Porn Star'? | NewsBusters.org

When people mock our faith or our Lord, we, as Christians, are frequently torn between outrage and wisdom. The arrival of this book is one such time ... at least it has the feel of such a time.

I like to believe I prefer wisdom to outrage ... sadly I employ the latter more often than not. Yet wisdom is winning on this one!

American Savior is, I believe, a comedic parody (or as the publisher says a "bitingly clever satirical novel") of Christian nationalism ... an issue that I believe is fair game for non-believers.

Too many of those I call brothers and sisters claim to be Evangelical or conservative Christians, but they are, in reality, Christian Nationalists ... believing that "saving" America is a command of God straight off the pages of the gospels.

Somehow they seem to think any evil done in the USA is a direct threat to the Church and God Himself. They seem to overlook Jesus' words concerning "the gates of Hell."

We, as believers, must remember what parody ...

1. a humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing ...
2. the genre of literary composition represented by such imitations
3. a burlesque imitation of a musical composition
4. any humorous, satirical, or burlesque imitation, as of a person, event, etc.

and satire ...

1. the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc.
2. a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule
3. a literary genre comprising such compositions.

are! They are tools of the cultural, social and political critic.

Based on the Ron Charles review in the Washington Post, I'd say Roland Merullo's new novel America Savior is the genuine article - a satirical parody or, if you wish, a parodic satire.

American Savior is a remarkably innovative novel that challenges our perceptions and beliefs while it wags a finger at the folly of our self-righteousness. It is sure to cause controversy among those for whom politics itself has become a kind of religion. [Algonquin]

Many will see Merullo's novel as Cristophobic, I do not! I am secure enough in my faith and my Lord is secure enough in me, that I don't fear this kind of secular criticism. We should not always see darkness when there's so much light.

Merullo is obviously not trying to propagate spiritual truths or encourage others to hate Christians or Christianity; but, rather, the author seems to be encouraging us (i.e., conservative Christian nationalists, evangelicals and fundamentalists) to wake up and see the image on the Jumbo Tron.

Savior is narrated by a former newscaster named Russ Thomas who quits his job to help elect Jesus. The campaign brings Jesus into contact with Merullo's other target — the media with its bloviating superstars: i.e., the suspender-wearing Lenny Queen. [USAToday]

I need a copy of the book to review ... maybe Merullo or Algonquin will send me one?

Books, Christianity, Cristophobia,
Parody, Religion, Satire