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You Got To Be Kidding: The Cultural Arsonist's Literal Reading of the Bible
Why did God turn Lot's wife into a pillar of salt? Were there no other seasonings available? Why don't we know anything about the early years of Jesus? Did someone lose his baby book? Who reported the desert encounter between Jesus and Satan? Jesus-or Satan? And why does the Holy Spirit like to show up as a bird?
As irreverent as the musical The Book of Mormon, Joe Wenke's YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING: The Cultural Arsonist's Literal Reading of the Bible is an engaging, provocative and hilarious investigation into the bestselling book of all time. Written to "cause trouble" cultural arsonist Wenke, a keen observer of human gullibility, tempts readers to more closely examine the stories they think they know about the Bible.
Drawing upon the same pool of incendiary and cerebral humor as Bill Maher, Jon Stewart and the late, great George Carlin, YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING is a call for humor to restore our sanity and our ability to think for ourselves. Just as it was written in the Bible-or was it?
As irreverent as the musical The Book of Mormon, Joe Wenke's YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING: The Cultural Arsonist's Literal Reading of the Bible is an engaging, provocative and hilarious investigation into the bestselling book of all time. Written to "cause trouble" cultural arsonist Wenke, a keen observer of human gullibility, tempts readers to more closely examine the stories they think they know about the Bible.
Drawing upon the same pool of incendiary and cerebral humor as Bill Maher, Jon Stewart and the late, great George Carlin, YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING is a call for humor to restore our sanity and our ability to think for ourselves. Just as it was written in the Bible-or was it?
206 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2012
About the author
Joe Wenke
12 books15 followersDR. JOE WENKE, an outspoken and articulate LGBT rights activist, is the owner and managing partner of Xperience, a multi-million dollar marketing communications and production company with offices in New York, Boston and Detroit. He is also the founder and publisher of Trans Über, a publishing company with a focus on LBGT rights and promoting freedom and equality for all people.
He began his career as an editor at the Foundation Center in New York City. He was a speechwriter at Avnet for Tony Hamilton, the founder of the global electronics distribution industry, and wrote speeches for George Conrades, the head of IBM US. As a senior vice president at Caribiner International he served as the company’s lead communications strategist and head of global accounts.
Wenke received an M.A. in English from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Connecticut. He is a regular columnist in the Huffington Post. His books look into the religious underpinnings of LGBT discrimination in America, including YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING! The Cultural Arsonist’s Satirical Reading of the Bible. His next book, PAPAL BULL: An Ex-Catholic Calls Out the Catholic Church, will be published later this Fall. He is also author of “Mailer’s America” about the lifework of Pulitzer-prize winning American author Norman Mailer.
He began his career as an editor at the Foundation Center in New York City. He was a speechwriter at Avnet for Tony Hamilton, the founder of the global electronics distribution industry, and wrote speeches for George Conrades, the head of IBM US. As a senior vice president at Caribiner International he served as the company’s lead communications strategist and head of global accounts.
Wenke received an M.A. in English from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Connecticut. He is a regular columnist in the Huffington Post. His books look into the religious underpinnings of LGBT discrimination in America, including YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING! The Cultural Arsonist’s Satirical Reading of the Bible. His next book, PAPAL BULL: An Ex-Catholic Calls Out the Catholic Church, will be published later this Fall. He is also author of “Mailer’s America” about the lifework of Pulitzer-prize winning American author Norman Mailer.
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September 20, 2012
I have been looking for a book such as this for a very long time. Christians would probably be advised to read no further. Joe Wenke takes an irreverent look at the Bible with You Got to Be Kidding, not asking questions but stating what most atheists believe; that the Bible is so far fetched it is actually humerous.
In it, Wenke dissects God’s behaviour in such a way that leaves you wondering if God [or the people who wrote the first part of the Bible] was on some bad acid trip through most of the Old Testament. He points out some pretty vengeful behaviour from God when he doesn’t get his way. Even when God gets his way he still pulls a few stunts that in light of the Ten Commandments leaves this atheist wondering what his problem was.
What I loved most about the way Wenke writes is that he frames most of the thoughts I have had at some time or the other. The title ‘You Got to Be Kidding’ articulates it perfectly. As an atheist there is a lot that leaves me scratching my head when I read the Bible.
Up until now most books that look at the Bible and delve in to some of its more fantastical parts are written in such a way that if you don’t have a scientific bone in your body you are left a little bewildered. Don’t get me wrong. I think Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens have written great books regarding the validity of God and Creationism. But they can be heavy going to a layperson.
I particularly loved Wenke’s chapter ‘Unanswered Questions’, where he asks questions about some of the Bible’s stories. Why was it okay to for Solomon to have 700 wives and 300 concubines and yet still write proverbs about adultery? If the Wise Men were so wise how did they end up needing directions? What happened to Joseph? Seems like an important character, Jesus’s stepfather after all. So where did he go?
Actually, thinking about it this is maybe the perfect book for Christians to read. Why? Because it explains in very simple terms exactly what an atheist thinks when reading the Bible. At least what this atheist thinks, and I am probably thinking quite similar thoughts to the rest of the atheists out there.
If you think about it, most atheists have read the Bible. We don’t agree with it, but our disagreement doesn’t come from ignorance. It is usually an informed opinion we arrive at after looking at Creationism from many angles. Personally not one of those angles made a lick of sense to me. It would be nice if Christians would at least return the favour and read books like Wenke’s [or Dawkins and Hitchens] without calling them evil, that they would at least take the time to understand an atheist’s viewpoint.
You Got to Be Kidding is in my opinion the perfect book for that. It is a well written, light hearted look at the questions most atheists have about God and the Bible. At 164 pages it is great if you don’t want to be weighed down for a month with a book.
You Got to Be Kidding will be released on October 1st, 2012
In it, Wenke dissects God’s behaviour in such a way that leaves you wondering if God [or the people who wrote the first part of the Bible] was on some bad acid trip through most of the Old Testament. He points out some pretty vengeful behaviour from God when he doesn’t get his way. Even when God gets his way he still pulls a few stunts that in light of the Ten Commandments leaves this atheist wondering what his problem was.
What I loved most about the way Wenke writes is that he frames most of the thoughts I have had at some time or the other. The title ‘You Got to Be Kidding’ articulates it perfectly. As an atheist there is a lot that leaves me scratching my head when I read the Bible.
Up until now most books that look at the Bible and delve in to some of its more fantastical parts are written in such a way that if you don’t have a scientific bone in your body you are left a little bewildered. Don’t get me wrong. I think Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens have written great books regarding the validity of God and Creationism. But they can be heavy going to a layperson.
I particularly loved Wenke’s chapter ‘Unanswered Questions’, where he asks questions about some of the Bible’s stories. Why was it okay to for Solomon to have 700 wives and 300 concubines and yet still write proverbs about adultery? If the Wise Men were so wise how did they end up needing directions? What happened to Joseph? Seems like an important character, Jesus’s stepfather after all. So where did he go?
Actually, thinking about it this is maybe the perfect book for Christians to read. Why? Because it explains in very simple terms exactly what an atheist thinks when reading the Bible. At least what this atheist thinks, and I am probably thinking quite similar thoughts to the rest of the atheists out there.
If you think about it, most atheists have read the Bible. We don’t agree with it, but our disagreement doesn’t come from ignorance. It is usually an informed opinion we arrive at after looking at Creationism from many angles. Personally not one of those angles made a lick of sense to me. It would be nice if Christians would at least return the favour and read books like Wenke’s [or Dawkins and Hitchens] without calling them evil, that they would at least take the time to understand an atheist’s viewpoint.
You Got to Be Kidding is in my opinion the perfect book for that. It is a well written, light hearted look at the questions most atheists have about God and the Bible. At 164 pages it is great if you don’t want to be weighed down for a month with a book.
You Got to Be Kidding will be released on October 1st, 2012
October 14, 2012
In You Got To Be Kidding!, author Joe Wenke takes a sometimes funny sometimes angry look at the Bible. He clearly knows the book well and makes some provocative points about taking a literal view of many of the stories. I have no doubt many Christians will accuse him of cherry-picking, a right they seem to feel is only to be used by them. However, in fact, he looks more at the stories themselves rather than some of the controversies that have lately filled the news. He never, for example, discusses Biblical references (or, in some cases, lack of references) to homosexuality, birth control, or abortion but rather discusses the stories of Moses, Job, the prophets, Jesus, and more. His comments about Revelation had me laughing out loud.
For the most part, I enjoyed this book. There were times it felt like it was written by an angry adolescent which may have been intentional since I suspect many people who have read the Bible in their youth have come away with a WTF feeling. Still, his irreverence and humour keep the book from becoming just another angry attack on religion.
My guess is this book will not sway anyone on either side of the argument - religious or atheist. Having been raised a Lutheran as a child, I was taught that the Bible was not meant to be taken literally but as a group of stories to help us understand God. As an atheist, I see the Bible as a very old book which gives us insight into ancient culture. As I have never been a Christian fundamentalist, I have no idea what makes them tick. I do find it amazing that people in the 21st century would claim to follow the teachings of people from 2000 years ago. And, if they're going to, at least have the decency to show the same strength of their convictions as, say, the Mennonites and quit cherry-picking modern civilization. Regardless, they're not likely to read this book and, if they do, will probably declare Wenke the spawn of Satan who God will no doubt smite eventually or at least send the Westboro church to picket him unmercifully. But, enough with the sidebar - as I said I doubt this book will change minds but it might give a few chuckles and in this year of 'legitimate rape' and wacky Christian alternate history, who couldn't use a laugh?
For the most part, I enjoyed this book. There were times it felt like it was written by an angry adolescent which may have been intentional since I suspect many people who have read the Bible in their youth have come away with a WTF feeling. Still, his irreverence and humour keep the book from becoming just another angry attack on religion.
My guess is this book will not sway anyone on either side of the argument - religious or atheist. Having been raised a Lutheran as a child, I was taught that the Bible was not meant to be taken literally but as a group of stories to help us understand God. As an atheist, I see the Bible as a very old book which gives us insight into ancient culture. As I have never been a Christian fundamentalist, I have no idea what makes them tick. I do find it amazing that people in the 21st century would claim to follow the teachings of people from 2000 years ago. And, if they're going to, at least have the decency to show the same strength of their convictions as, say, the Mennonites and quit cherry-picking modern civilization. Regardless, they're not likely to read this book and, if they do, will probably declare Wenke the spawn of Satan who God will no doubt smite eventually or at least send the Westboro church to picket him unmercifully. But, enough with the sidebar - as I said I doubt this book will change minds but it might give a few chuckles and in this year of 'legitimate rape' and wacky Christian alternate history, who couldn't use a laugh?
August 29, 2012
Book Info: Genre: Satire
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: most everyone
Trigger Warnings: People who believe the Bible is the inviolable word of their creator should probably not read this. Sense of humor mandatory.
Disclosure: I received an e-galley ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis (slightly altered for space) courtesy of Goodreads: Why did God turn Lot's wife into a pillar of salt? Were there no other seasonings available? Why don't we know anything about the early years of Jesus? Did someone lose his baby book? Who reported the desert encounter between Jesus and Satan: Jesus-or Satan? And why does the Holy Spirit like to show up as a bird?
This book is an investigation into the bestselling book of all time. Written to "cause trouble", cultural arsonist Wenke, a keen observer of human gullibility, tempts readers to more closely examine the stories they think they know about the Bible.
Drawing upon the same pool of incendiary and cerebral humor as Bill Maher, Jon Stewart and the late, great George Carlin, You Got to be Kidding is a call for humor to restore our sanity and our ability to think for ourselves. Just as it was written in the Bible—or was it?
My Thoughts: “So Moses, (speaking for God) states that it is perfectly fine to slaughter every single man, woman and child in a town that you are invading, but it is wrong to cut down a fruit tree. Fruit—it’s one of the weirdest motifs in the Old Testament.” This book was absolutely hilarious—and guaranteed to absolutely infuriate anyone who cannot tolerate mockery of their sacred institutions, no matter how badly such mockery is needed.
While talking about the Great Flood, for instance, Wenke says:
I think Wenke does a pretty good job of finding a lot of the inconsistencies and inaccuracies, especially when he points out the extreme inconsistencies between the various stories of the resurrection. I noted above that this is a trigger warning for anyone who believes the Bible is actually perfect, but thinking about it, these are the people who most need to read this book. I think these two quotes pretty much encapsulate the idea of the book. “But hey, what’s the big deal? Nothing’s perfect, including the Bible.” And then this one. “They say the Bible is perfect, but it appears that God needs an editor.” There is a lot of knowledge in the Bible, but it is not inviolable, it is not perfect, and people need to realize this and stop the insanity.
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: most everyone
Trigger Warnings: People who believe the Bible is the inviolable word of their creator should probably not read this. Sense of humor mandatory.
Disclosure: I received an e-galley ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis (slightly altered for space) courtesy of Goodreads: Why did God turn Lot's wife into a pillar of salt? Were there no other seasonings available? Why don't we know anything about the early years of Jesus? Did someone lose his baby book? Who reported the desert encounter between Jesus and Satan: Jesus-or Satan? And why does the Holy Spirit like to show up as a bird?
This book is an investigation into the bestselling book of all time. Written to "cause trouble", cultural arsonist Wenke, a keen observer of human gullibility, tempts readers to more closely examine the stories they think they know about the Bible.
Drawing upon the same pool of incendiary and cerebral humor as Bill Maher, Jon Stewart and the late, great George Carlin, You Got to be Kidding is a call for humor to restore our sanity and our ability to think for ourselves. Just as it was written in the Bible—or was it?
My Thoughts: “So Moses, (speaking for God) states that it is perfectly fine to slaughter every single man, woman and child in a town that you are invading, but it is wrong to cut down a fruit tree. Fruit—it’s one of the weirdest motifs in the Old Testament.” This book was absolutely hilarious—and guaranteed to absolutely infuriate anyone who cannot tolerate mockery of their sacred institutions, no matter how badly such mockery is needed.
While talking about the Great Flood, for instance, Wenke says:
“God’s decision to flood the entire earth and kill everybody and everything is without a doubt far and away the greatest single act of genocide in the history of the world. It makes you wonder what God thought of the pathetic attempts of Hitler, Stalin and Mao to compete in the genocidal sweepstakes. They may have slaughtered millions, but there were still plenty of people left when they were done.”I ended up reading a lot of this out to my husband, who laughed almost as much as I did.
Ahh, I love really offensive statements like this, because they are guaranteed to upset people and start them picketing and marching and yelling silly slogans. And we all love watching that sort of thing, don’t we?
I think Wenke does a pretty good job of finding a lot of the inconsistencies and inaccuracies, especially when he points out the extreme inconsistencies between the various stories of the resurrection. I noted above that this is a trigger warning for anyone who believes the Bible is actually perfect, but thinking about it, these are the people who most need to read this book. I think these two quotes pretty much encapsulate the idea of the book. “But hey, what’s the big deal? Nothing’s perfect, including the Bible.” And then this one. “They say the Bible is perfect, but it appears that God needs an editor.” There is a lot of knowledge in the Bible, but it is not inviolable, it is not perfect, and people need to realize this and stop the insanity.
November 30, 2012
What caught my attention about this book was the subtitle: The Cultural Arsonist’s Literal Reading of The Bible, and the author literally sets fire to what is culturally accepted about religion. It brings up a lot of issues about stories in the Bible that a lot of us probably have thought, but considered too taboo to question, especially if we live in the Bible Belt. Written by Joe Wenke, the oldest of eleven children (yes, eleven!) raised in a strict Catholic family. Mr. Wenke appears to be very knowledgeable about The Bible and reminded me of many stories in the Bible that I had forgotten.
People who are widely read know that earlier versions of many Bible stories are found in the ancient Sumerian texts many centuries before, and other ancient cultures as well. For example Adam in the Sumerian texts is Adamu, meaning “first man.” There was also a version of the Great Flood in the Epic of Gilgamesh. How many of us have not wondered how Noah put two of every animal on the Ark? How big was this boat? Did he travel worldwide to get them? Wenke states “It must have been the size of Rhode Island.” He looks at these stories in a humorous though sometimes irreverent way.
One thing that struck me, and I had forgotten this, was how violent the Old Testament was. When the Israelites conquered other peoples, they often put to the sword every man, woman, child, infant, dog, cat, horse, goat, sheep, – in short, every living thing in the captured city was killed. Seems quite a contradiction to what a benevolent God would want. During this period of history, you certainly wanted to be on God’s side. The commandment “Thou shalt not kill” seems to be dropped often, and maybe a note in parenthesis should have been added after the commandment “Thou shalt not kill (those on my side)”. According to Wenke, it’s acceptable to suspend the moral aversion to killing if God commands it. Unfortunately, we still see this same principle today when those who think they are “right” suspend their moral conscience that it is wrong to kill.
Just as with the killing, many of the other commandments seem to be bent for their own purposes. For example, King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, yet he wrote proverbs against adutery? Wonder how he had time to do any writings at all? Does anyone think this is funny? No wonder Wenke used a humorous approach in his book.
As many of us know, religion can be good or bad. I think The Bible is useful if you use it to try to be a better person, and it’s also an excellent source for studying ancient cultures. I personally don’t understand the thinking of Christian Fundamentalists who literally believe every word of The Bible. The Bible was put together by the Roman Emperor, Constantine, and the Nicene Council, who had complete authority to decide which stories would and would not be included, a book that has been translated and re-translated. Wouldn’t it be ironic if those of us whose spirits are really saved were those who didn’t blindly follow a book written by man for man, without questioning anything, and used our own moral compass to guide our lives in a good way. Maybe those who make it to “heaven” are a completely different set of people than we think they are.
The language is little rougher than I would like, especially since it is about a holy book. I think people need to be a little more considerate of others’ beliefs. I don’t think this book will change anyone’s beliefs. Those who need to read it won’t, immediately seeing it’s not to their liking. It’s a short quick read with some chapters only being one or two pages, entertaining, and enlightening. However, I would strongly only recommend it for those who can look at the Bible in a humorous, ironic way.
People who are widely read know that earlier versions of many Bible stories are found in the ancient Sumerian texts many centuries before, and other ancient cultures as well. For example Adam in the Sumerian texts is Adamu, meaning “first man.” There was also a version of the Great Flood in the Epic of Gilgamesh. How many of us have not wondered how Noah put two of every animal on the Ark? How big was this boat? Did he travel worldwide to get them? Wenke states “It must have been the size of Rhode Island.” He looks at these stories in a humorous though sometimes irreverent way.
One thing that struck me, and I had forgotten this, was how violent the Old Testament was. When the Israelites conquered other peoples, they often put to the sword every man, woman, child, infant, dog, cat, horse, goat, sheep, – in short, every living thing in the captured city was killed. Seems quite a contradiction to what a benevolent God would want. During this period of history, you certainly wanted to be on God’s side. The commandment “Thou shalt not kill” seems to be dropped often, and maybe a note in parenthesis should have been added after the commandment “Thou shalt not kill (those on my side)”. According to Wenke, it’s acceptable to suspend the moral aversion to killing if God commands it. Unfortunately, we still see this same principle today when those who think they are “right” suspend their moral conscience that it is wrong to kill.
Just as with the killing, many of the other commandments seem to be bent for their own purposes. For example, King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, yet he wrote proverbs against adutery? Wonder how he had time to do any writings at all? Does anyone think this is funny? No wonder Wenke used a humorous approach in his book.
As many of us know, religion can be good or bad. I think The Bible is useful if you use it to try to be a better person, and it’s also an excellent source for studying ancient cultures. I personally don’t understand the thinking of Christian Fundamentalists who literally believe every word of The Bible. The Bible was put together by the Roman Emperor, Constantine, and the Nicene Council, who had complete authority to decide which stories would and would not be included, a book that has been translated and re-translated. Wouldn’t it be ironic if those of us whose spirits are really saved were those who didn’t blindly follow a book written by man for man, without questioning anything, and used our own moral compass to guide our lives in a good way. Maybe those who make it to “heaven” are a completely different set of people than we think they are.
The language is little rougher than I would like, especially since it is about a holy book. I think people need to be a little more considerate of others’ beliefs. I don’t think this book will change anyone’s beliefs. Those who need to read it won’t, immediately seeing it’s not to their liking. It’s a short quick read with some chapters only being one or two pages, entertaining, and enlightening. However, I would strongly only recommend it for those who can look at the Bible in a humorous, ironic way.
September 12, 2012
The early 21st Century could be argued to be the Age of New Atheism: the attempt to be good without god, to replace faith with reason, sometimes with an arrogant or condescending tone but always accurately and convicingly. It has seen the rise of Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens (RIP), Sam Harris, et al, and their deep philosophical books.
From that, You've Got to Be Kidding by Joe Wenke is a welcome and needed change of pace. It is a short, satirical summary of the old and new testaments of the Bible that will keep any freethinking reader laughing the whole way through. Mr. Wenke uses humor to point out the absurdities and contradictions in the Good Book. One of my favorite arguments is how he demonstrates that any evil is of and from God, that it existed before man, and therefore the premise that man brought evil to the world by eating the forbidden fruit is a fallacy.
You've Got to Be Kidding is a must read for any Humanist, Atheist, or open minded person looking for a more honest look at the Bible. No doubt devout Christians will be offended, although they are probably most in need of reading it. But anyone else will have a great laugh and an enlightening read.
From that, You've Got to Be Kidding by Joe Wenke is a welcome and needed change of pace. It is a short, satirical summary of the old and new testaments of the Bible that will keep any freethinking reader laughing the whole way through. Mr. Wenke uses humor to point out the absurdities and contradictions in the Good Book. One of my favorite arguments is how he demonstrates that any evil is of and from God, that it existed before man, and therefore the premise that man brought evil to the world by eating the forbidden fruit is a fallacy.
You've Got to Be Kidding is a must read for any Humanist, Atheist, or open minded person looking for a more honest look at the Bible. No doubt devout Christians will be offended, although they are probably most in need of reading it. But anyone else will have a great laugh and an enlightening read.
August 30, 2012
Disappointed by the effort. The book read like the author got really angry at all that was happening in his life and just spewed whatever came into his head at God. The humor was flat and the religious puns/jokes dated. It offered nothing new or startling. It was the standard commentary on biblical stories and the concept of a higher being that you can expect from any average atheist. The book had a lot of potential but it was wasted. A viewing of 'Monty Pythons: Life of Brian' or a reading of Philip Pullmans 'The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ' should give the author some idea on how to tackle religious sarcasm and humor.
March 8, 2018
Delightfully irreverent... brilliant abridgement with commentary and questions that 'demand an answer'
I suspect believers will not so much as pick this up, let alone read it. Which might be considered a shame. While they will most likely feel offended throughout, there are plenty of questions here that the author asks, about the validity of the book, its content and assertions.
This was incredibly entertaining to me, both as a non-believer and as someone who has done very similar to Wenke - read the entire Bible and written a running commentary on my thoughts and questions arising.
Wenke takes the Bible in running order, not in great detail, not every chapter and verse, but covers all the big events and characters, summarising them and adding a modern take on the events and how he sees them. I nodded at many, I laughed at some, I agreed with most. Some points I hadn't considered, a few parts I didn't remember! (I read the Bible several years ago now)
He doesn't swallow his feelings or hold back: God demonstrates his "war crimes".
He isn't afraid to be contentious:
(on The Ten Commandments) "The prohibition against 'coveting' is especially good because it reminds everybody that God knows what you're thinking. He is the ultimate Thought Police."
His irreverent humour lashes out bitingly:
"They can't get out of the desert no matter how hard they try even though you would think that they could have ... walked form Egypt to Canaan in under a month since it's a distance of only 250 miles."
Both Old and New Testament are covered, and Paul after Jesus, with asides looking at Hell, Heaven, the soul and other related matters that don't have their own chapters in the book.
The sections on Job were some of my favourites, I remember reading that and finding it completely nonsensical. That and the differences between the four gospels, comparing their accounts of the birth and death of Jesus. Nicely summarised.
I would actually have liked more detail, with more quotes to back up what he is saying. From the afternotes, the author wrote this quite swiftly, making notes as he read and barely editing, so it could be expanded somewhat.
Very entertaining if you're in the mood and frame of mind to appreciate it. It almost made me want to read the book again to find all of Wenke's highlighted parts, but I can't justify spending the time on it.
Funny, and manages to give food for thought. Some ripe language, if you need a warning about that sort of thing.
I suspect believers will not so much as pick this up, let alone read it. Which might be considered a shame. While they will most likely feel offended throughout, there are plenty of questions here that the author asks, about the validity of the book, its content and assertions.
This was incredibly entertaining to me, both as a non-believer and as someone who has done very similar to Wenke - read the entire Bible and written a running commentary on my thoughts and questions arising.
Wenke takes the Bible in running order, not in great detail, not every chapter and verse, but covers all the big events and characters, summarising them and adding a modern take on the events and how he sees them. I nodded at many, I laughed at some, I agreed with most. Some points I hadn't considered, a few parts I didn't remember! (I read the Bible several years ago now)
He doesn't swallow his feelings or hold back: God demonstrates his "war crimes".
He isn't afraid to be contentious:
(on The Ten Commandments) "The prohibition against 'coveting' is especially good because it reminds everybody that God knows what you're thinking. He is the ultimate Thought Police."
His irreverent humour lashes out bitingly:
"They can't get out of the desert no matter how hard they try even though you would think that they could have ... walked form Egypt to Canaan in under a month since it's a distance of only 250 miles."
Both Old and New Testament are covered, and Paul after Jesus, with asides looking at Hell, Heaven, the soul and other related matters that don't have their own chapters in the book.
The sections on Job were some of my favourites, I remember reading that and finding it completely nonsensical. That and the differences between the four gospels, comparing their accounts of the birth and death of Jesus. Nicely summarised.
I would actually have liked more detail, with more quotes to back up what he is saying. From the afternotes, the author wrote this quite swiftly, making notes as he read and barely editing, so it could be expanded somewhat.
Very entertaining if you're in the mood and frame of mind to appreciate it. It almost made me want to read the book again to find all of Wenke's highlighted parts, but I can't justify spending the time on it.
Funny, and manages to give food for thought. Some ripe language, if you need a warning about that sort of thing.
November 21, 2012
Review copy provided by Netgalley.
The premise of this book is simple: Joe Wenke reads the entire Bible and write snarky summaries/commentary about each book as he goes. He offers up witticisms about everything from the story of Noah's Ark to God's apparent obsession with fruit. I can't sum it up for you very well without sharing a few quotes:
“They say the Bible is perfect, but it appears that God needs an editor.”
“Fruit—it’s one of the weirdest motifs in the Old Testament.”
“God is crazy. If he thinks you’re messing around with other gods or doing anything he doesn’t like, he’ll kill you as soon as look at you—and not just you but your whole family and all of your livestock, too.”
Now, I've never read the entire Bible. I want to, but that's going to have to wait until after grad school (seriously -- it's on my shortlist of life goals). This book definitely makes me want to read the whole thing, since I'm fairly certain I'll agree with a lot of what Wenke's trying to say here: that the Bible is a weird, inconsistent book that represents different people's voices in different time periods, but that it probably isn't the literal word of God. I don't like to get into my religious beliefs too much, but I will say that I agree and believe that humanity would be better off reading the Bible as a general guide and historical text rather than an infallible reference book. I came to this conclusion after reading all of the Gospels during Lent one season, realizing there is no possible way all four stories of Jesus's life could all be true. But I digress.
If you are interested in the Bible, there are probably better sources for reading on this topic. Bart Erhman's Misquoting Jesus: The Story of Who Changed the Bible and Why and Jesus, Interrupted: Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible and Why We Don't Know About Them both provide good info on these topics, and AJ Jacob's A Year of Living Biblically is a great source of humor on the topic. I think having already read those going into this book, I just wasn't impressed. I know Wenke is not trying to be an academic, he's writing comedy. And there were some GREAT one-liners! Overall, though, I wanted more. More info, more comedy, more depth, more...something.
FINAL GRADE: D I hate giving books a D. I really do. But in this case, I feel it is deserved. This book had the potential to be really good, but it felt like there was not enough time, editing, and creativity put into it to get it there. The idea of looking at the inconsistencies and weirdness in a satirical way is clever and cool. It just wasn't followed through. As a reader, I was let down. I'm glad I didn't pay money for this book. It did have its funny and interesting moments, so I would say borrow the book or get it on sale.
Assigned reading: If you are interested in weird Bible trivia, humor, or inconsistencies you might want to skim this book.
Library recommendations: I wouldn't put it in a school library, but I think there would be a definite market for this book in a public library e-book collection -- I think it might actually see high circulation, as opposed to sitting on the shelf unread.
The premise of this book is simple: Joe Wenke reads the entire Bible and write snarky summaries/commentary about each book as he goes. He offers up witticisms about everything from the story of Noah's Ark to God's apparent obsession with fruit. I can't sum it up for you very well without sharing a few quotes:
“They say the Bible is perfect, but it appears that God needs an editor.”
“Fruit—it’s one of the weirdest motifs in the Old Testament.”
“God is crazy. If he thinks you’re messing around with other gods or doing anything he doesn’t like, he’ll kill you as soon as look at you—and not just you but your whole family and all of your livestock, too.”
Now, I've never read the entire Bible. I want to, but that's going to have to wait until after grad school (seriously -- it's on my shortlist of life goals). This book definitely makes me want to read the whole thing, since I'm fairly certain I'll agree with a lot of what Wenke's trying to say here: that the Bible is a weird, inconsistent book that represents different people's voices in different time periods, but that it probably isn't the literal word of God. I don't like to get into my religious beliefs too much, but I will say that I agree and believe that humanity would be better off reading the Bible as a general guide and historical text rather than an infallible reference book. I came to this conclusion after reading all of the Gospels during Lent one season, realizing there is no possible way all four stories of Jesus's life could all be true. But I digress.
If you are interested in the Bible, there are probably better sources for reading on this topic. Bart Erhman's Misquoting Jesus: The Story of Who Changed the Bible and Why and Jesus, Interrupted: Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible and Why We Don't Know About Them both provide good info on these topics, and AJ Jacob's A Year of Living Biblically is a great source of humor on the topic. I think having already read those going into this book, I just wasn't impressed. I know Wenke is not trying to be an academic, he's writing comedy. And there were some GREAT one-liners! Overall, though, I wanted more. More info, more comedy, more depth, more...something.
FINAL GRADE: D I hate giving books a D. I really do. But in this case, I feel it is deserved. This book had the potential to be really good, but it felt like there was not enough time, editing, and creativity put into it to get it there. The idea of looking at the inconsistencies and weirdness in a satirical way is clever and cool. It just wasn't followed through. As a reader, I was let down. I'm glad I didn't pay money for this book. It did have its funny and interesting moments, so I would say borrow the book or get it on sale.
Assigned reading: If you are interested in weird Bible trivia, humor, or inconsistencies you might want to skim this book.
Library recommendations: I wouldn't put it in a school library, but I think there would be a definite market for this book in a public library e-book collection -- I think it might actually see high circulation, as opposed to sitting on the shelf unread.
September 1, 2012
Lets start right off saying, if you are easily offended, don't bother picking up this book. If, on the other hand, you are capable of reading some very smart, very insightful religious satire, by all means get this book now!
Joe Wenke takes a critical, provocative look at The Bible and he does so with regular hilarity. He probes the questions many are afraid to ask out loud. Like for instance, "If God hardened Pharaoh's heart, doesn't that make the plagues all God's fault?" And why, during the great flood, did God feel it necessary to not only kill all the evil people, but all the animals? What did they do that was so horrible? And what about the fish? Flooding seems to be overly kind to them.
A relatively short read, I finished it in an afternoon, chuckling the whole time.
Joe Wenke takes a critical, provocative look at The Bible and he does so with regular hilarity. He probes the questions many are afraid to ask out loud. Like for instance, "If God hardened Pharaoh's heart, doesn't that make the plagues all God's fault?" And why, during the great flood, did God feel it necessary to not only kill all the evil people, but all the animals? What did they do that was so horrible? And what about the fish? Flooding seems to be overly kind to them.
A relatively short read, I finished it in an afternoon, chuckling the whole time.
September 4, 2012
The author dives right into the text of the Bible from the very beginning and picks apart the details that just don't make any sense. His use of humor lends an entertaining edge to the serious questions that arise during a reading of the Holy Book. It was a fun and quick read, though I wish it would have been longer. The chapters were short and to the point. He addressed the major events taking place and the discrepancies that occur in the passages. These are questions any reader might wonder. This author allows the reader to explore and learn about the Bible with a tongue-in-cheek attitude that keeps you laughing and turning the pages.
September 11, 2012
Funny, irreverent at times, boorish at others.
This book is an irreverent look at parts of the Bible that fail to make sense to us. I laughed at many of the stories while remember posing similar questions during Sunday School.
I may be somewhat of a prude, but I think some of the language used is unnecessary. It takes away from what would otherwise be a humorous story.
Some stories are told with what I can only describe as anger. I felt the author was angry and sarcastic. I stopped reading when I got to this point, put the book down and resumed reading at a later time.
Overall, I was able to chuckle at times, roll my eyes at others, and cringe throughout this book.
This book is an irreverent look at parts of the Bible that fail to make sense to us. I laughed at many of the stories while remember posing similar questions during Sunday School.
I may be somewhat of a prude, but I think some of the language used is unnecessary. It takes away from what would otherwise be a humorous story.
Some stories are told with what I can only describe as anger. I felt the author was angry and sarcastic. I stopped reading when I got to this point, put the book down and resumed reading at a later time.
Overall, I was able to chuckle at times, roll my eyes at others, and cringe throughout this book.
October 8, 2020
Atheists, heathens, believers in Asgard, and others may find this book funny. Biblical literalists will not. Fair warning.
I remember sitting in Catholic school, seventh grade or so, and learning about free will. The whole concept puzzled me. I remember asking "Doesn't God know our fate before we were even born?"
"Ah, but you have free will and can change behavior and go to heaven."
"So I can surprise God?"
"No, God knows everything."
"So God knows my free will choices before I make them?"
I never got a good answer. I originally thought of it as something un-understandable, like imagining the edge of the universe, where it is and what is beyond it. That kept me awake at night thinking more than free will. As I got older I started noticing things that did not make sense and really couldn't continue on that path.
Wenke has seen the same dilemmas and instead of quietly walking away he plays his role as a self-described "Social Arsonist" and goes on the offensive with humor and sometimes sarcasm to make his point.
He uses the Bible and makes his case. In more cases than not God seems to be a fan of Rube Goldberg machines. Instead of using godly power to change things, he goes about it in a very roundabout method. God could have just had the Israelites walk out of Egypt instead of the plagues and parting of the Red Sea. He must have know that the theatrics would not have helped consolidate his chosen people. He had to know about the Golden Calf and the unfaithfulness his people demonstrated...repeatedly. God seemed to be present on a regular basis back then. He talked to Moses almost daily, now he just talks to Michelle Bachmann and that's not doing her much good.
Other small issues are brought up like what happened to Joseph? Jesus's foster father is barely mentioned and not mentioned at all after "finding Jesus at the Temple." He is not mention at the wedding feast or any other time Jesus is with his mother. Mark never mentions him and John only mentions him in passing. What about heaven? It never existed as a place for people until Jesus's time. Previously people went to Sheol, a dull grey place where all the dead went to whether they lived good or bad lives.
Most people know that the God of the Old Testament seems kinder and gentler in the New Testament. Satan also changed too. He was sly, clever, and hung out with God in Old Testament like in the story of Job. In the New Testament, Satan is pretty stupid. He tries to tempt Jesus with the Earth. I mean, Jesus' father made the earth, who's earth is it really, Satan?
Wenke is a bit hard on the Holy Spirit, almost making it seem like the Aquaman of the Trinity. But, he does hold a soft spot for Jesus:
Thank you, Jesus, for hanging out with shady people. Shady people are the best company.
...
Thank you, Jesus, for advocating the Golden Rule,
Thank you, Jesus, for saying, "Blessed are the peacemakers
...
Thank you, Jesus, for expecting nothing in return.
Jesus cried at the death of Lazarus, a very human experience especially since he raised him from the dead shortly after that.
To be fair, Wenke is not balanced in his writing, but that is to be expected. You would not expect a Christian to give a glowing review to Islam or Hinduism. This is a book that delivers what is expected and does so with humor and sarcasm. Wenke does not give an emotional argument but looks at what is written and comments on it from an outsider's view. It is not for everyone, but it does hit its target audience dead on.
I remember sitting in Catholic school, seventh grade or so, and learning about free will. The whole concept puzzled me. I remember asking "Doesn't God know our fate before we were even born?"
"Ah, but you have free will and can change behavior and go to heaven."
"So I can surprise God?"
"No, God knows everything."
"So God knows my free will choices before I make them?"
I never got a good answer. I originally thought of it as something un-understandable, like imagining the edge of the universe, where it is and what is beyond it. That kept me awake at night thinking more than free will. As I got older I started noticing things that did not make sense and really couldn't continue on that path.
Wenke has seen the same dilemmas and instead of quietly walking away he plays his role as a self-described "Social Arsonist" and goes on the offensive with humor and sometimes sarcasm to make his point.
He uses the Bible and makes his case. In more cases than not God seems to be a fan of Rube Goldberg machines. Instead of using godly power to change things, he goes about it in a very roundabout method. God could have just had the Israelites walk out of Egypt instead of the plagues and parting of the Red Sea. He must have know that the theatrics would not have helped consolidate his chosen people. He had to know about the Golden Calf and the unfaithfulness his people demonstrated...repeatedly. God seemed to be present on a regular basis back then. He talked to Moses almost daily, now he just talks to Michelle Bachmann and that's not doing her much good.
Other small issues are brought up like what happened to Joseph? Jesus's foster father is barely mentioned and not mentioned at all after "finding Jesus at the Temple." He is not mention at the wedding feast or any other time Jesus is with his mother. Mark never mentions him and John only mentions him in passing. What about heaven? It never existed as a place for people until Jesus's time. Previously people went to Sheol, a dull grey place where all the dead went to whether they lived good or bad lives.
Most people know that the God of the Old Testament seems kinder and gentler in the New Testament. Satan also changed too. He was sly, clever, and hung out with God in Old Testament like in the story of Job. In the New Testament, Satan is pretty stupid. He tries to tempt Jesus with the Earth. I mean, Jesus' father made the earth, who's earth is it really, Satan?
Wenke is a bit hard on the Holy Spirit, almost making it seem like the Aquaman of the Trinity. But, he does hold a soft spot for Jesus:
Thank you, Jesus, for hanging out with shady people. Shady people are the best company.
...
Thank you, Jesus, for advocating the Golden Rule,
Thank you, Jesus, for saying, "Blessed are the peacemakers
...
Thank you, Jesus, for expecting nothing in return.
Jesus cried at the death of Lazarus, a very human experience especially since he raised him from the dead shortly after that.
To be fair, Wenke is not balanced in his writing, but that is to be expected. You would not expect a Christian to give a glowing review to Islam or Hinduism. This is a book that delivers what is expected and does so with humor and sarcasm. Wenke does not give an emotional argument but looks at what is written and comments on it from an outsider's view. It is not for everyone, but it does hit its target audience dead on.
September 4, 2020
Wenke goes through the books of the Bible picking out the low-hanging fruit for tame mockery. In other words he takes the most lazy and obvious path to writing this book. He points out how big a dick the wrathful Old Testament god is using the standard Adam & Eve, Abraham's son, Lot, Noah, and Solomon stories, adding little to what is apparent if you just have a little familiarity with the text. Then he gets to the New Testament and gives Jesus a complete pass; he basically lets him off the hook as a hippie with good intentions whose message was corrupted by Paul and later writers. What a pussy! He basically makes the Xtians argument for them, namely that the Gospels are the important part of the Bible and there is nothing ridiculous in them once you accept that miracles are performed. Any serious writer would take this as a challenge, not just concede the point. You have to be kidding me!
February 14, 2022
Humorous appraisal of the good book
Unfortunately, Revelation was not dissected.
A somewhat humorous discussion of the bible, old and new testaments quickly dismissed by true believers.
However, skeptical persons may still be left wondering why people believe what they do. Because they can, I guess. Maybe because they have to. MAYBE IT’S REAL! But, probably not...
As the bible is, we are mere toys of some benign, loving, or monstrous deity. Take your pick.
Maybe life really is absurd as one of my college mates kept saying. He’s dead, but I’m not yet.
The bible certainly is absurd, if you really read it.
That’s it. I invite you to read Wenke’s words and then read the bible.
Wenke’s book is a quick fun read… unless you take the bible seriously, which most of America would. I found it mildly funny. Hopefully, you will also. Enjoy this, if you can.
If you have an epiphany. Let me know.
April 30, 2019
This book is a satire on Biblical nonsense, vileness, and hokem. Although the author doesn't seem occasionally to understand what the Biblical authors were actually doing, and reads the Bible in a rather raw, uninformed manner at those loci, most of the time his satirical comments are bang on. As Richard Dawkins rightly says, 'The god of the Bible is one of the worst characters in all ancient fiction.' (Not quite an exact quote, but close enough). Wenke and Dawkins are both right though stupid fundamentalists won't like the honesty in recognizing the unethical and immoral foulness of the Biblical god in the works of either. But then most of the time, fundagelicals are blind to this vile foulness as a result of their childish desire to have a source (false though their notion is) of all truth in the Bible.
June 19, 2019
Very thought provoking and funny. I would like him to do a whole series of this type of critical book.
January 2, 2021
Humorous review of both the old and new testament bibles. Good for a chuckle if you're interested in all of the insane and non-sensical things happening in the bible that they skip over in church.
July 14, 2014
I requested this book from Netgalley ages ago because I thought it looked hilarious. I like to think of myself I'm pretty savvy with Bible knowledge so it was fun to see how my ideas matched up to Wenke's!
There is probably a big difference in reading experience when you're reading this as a Christian/believer or an atheist, and even then there is of course the distinction in how you believe in the Bible. For me what the Bible says was always, to quote Barbossa, more 'guidelines than actual rules'. In a modern day world it makes no sense to follow the advice from a book that is almost 2000 years old. Before I launch into stating how hilarious an enjoyable a book this is I want to pick up on one aspect that always disappoints me in these kinds of books. It seems that the authors of these books only believe in one kind of Bible readership who believes the Bible was written by God and simply dropped down from Heaven like it is now. Rather than discussing the Bible as a "book" and looking at its origin, many authors assume everyone believes in every single word. I understand why they do it. Taking it serious makes it much easier to make fun of some of its aspects. (I understand that Wenke intentionally created a Literal Reading of the Bible, so this doesn't necessarily apply to him although I would have liked seeing some thoughts regarding it at the beginning or the end of the book.)
The Bible such as we have it now was never one, uniform thing. The Old Testament is as much a (very subjective) religious history book for the Ancient people of Isreal. Christianity adopted it and its order from Judaism. The New Testament is in many ways a collection of texts, gospels, that was put together in order to create a uniformity of message for Christianity. It's arguable whether it was discussed at all during the Nicean Council in 325 AD. Although by then the texts, and many others, had already been written, the Council settled a lot of theological debates and standardizes certain ideas. The creation story of the Bible is relatively important when thinking about it or discussing it. The fact that Wenke picks up on irregularities and lack of continuation at times is because it is not a continuous work. The differences between Old and New Testament, in how God is represented for example, are also due to the fact that one is Judaic whereas the other is very much Christian. There are two different cultures, histories and purposes to these Testaments.
Putting this little irritation aside, Wenke's book is really funny. Going through the Bible book by book he picks up on some of its aspects quite hilariously. Discussing the strange behaviour of God at length, he not only makes funny jokes but also some genuine points. The Old Testament isn't read enough, I think, and some aspects of it are beyond ridiculous. Let's not even get into Leviticus. What I do think is a shame is that Wenke doesn't mention or pick up on the strong sense of tradition that exists in the Old Testament. The sense of repetition he criticizes at times is a way of connecting different generations together and I often find myself loving the archaicness of its language. Slightly related to the points made above, Wenke takes the stories at face-value and treats them as factual, or at least as being meant to sound true. Naturally, each story in the Bible is exactly that: a story. There is a deeper meaning behind it, it's a parable through which morals are illustrated. How questionable these morals are can always be discussed, however, one has to analyse the parable for being so in order to get to those morals.
I found Wenke's book hugely entertaining. It was a fun read that I didn't want to put down till the very end. However, I doubt I'll ever reread it because once the jokes are known they're no longer that funny. Wenke picks up on some really interesting points but doesn't develop them and in the end it is therefore nothing more than a funny book.
There is probably a big difference in reading experience when you're reading this as a Christian/believer or an atheist, and even then there is of course the distinction in how you believe in the Bible. For me what the Bible says was always, to quote Barbossa, more 'guidelines than actual rules'. In a modern day world it makes no sense to follow the advice from a book that is almost 2000 years old. Before I launch into stating how hilarious an enjoyable a book this is I want to pick up on one aspect that always disappoints me in these kinds of books. It seems that the authors of these books only believe in one kind of Bible readership who believes the Bible was written by God and simply dropped down from Heaven like it is now. Rather than discussing the Bible as a "book" and looking at its origin, many authors assume everyone believes in every single word. I understand why they do it. Taking it serious makes it much easier to make fun of some of its aspects. (I understand that Wenke intentionally created a Literal Reading of the Bible, so this doesn't necessarily apply to him although I would have liked seeing some thoughts regarding it at the beginning or the end of the book.)
The Bible such as we have it now was never one, uniform thing. The Old Testament is as much a (very subjective) religious history book for the Ancient people of Isreal. Christianity adopted it and its order from Judaism. The New Testament is in many ways a collection of texts, gospels, that was put together in order to create a uniformity of message for Christianity. It's arguable whether it was discussed at all during the Nicean Council in 325 AD. Although by then the texts, and many others, had already been written, the Council settled a lot of theological debates and standardizes certain ideas. The creation story of the Bible is relatively important when thinking about it or discussing it. The fact that Wenke picks up on irregularities and lack of continuation at times is because it is not a continuous work. The differences between Old and New Testament, in how God is represented for example, are also due to the fact that one is Judaic whereas the other is very much Christian. There are two different cultures, histories and purposes to these Testaments.
Putting this little irritation aside, Wenke's book is really funny. Going through the Bible book by book he picks up on some of its aspects quite hilariously. Discussing the strange behaviour of God at length, he not only makes funny jokes but also some genuine points. The Old Testament isn't read enough, I think, and some aspects of it are beyond ridiculous. Let's not even get into Leviticus. What I do think is a shame is that Wenke doesn't mention or pick up on the strong sense of tradition that exists in the Old Testament. The sense of repetition he criticizes at times is a way of connecting different generations together and I often find myself loving the archaicness of its language. Slightly related to the points made above, Wenke takes the stories at face-value and treats them as factual, or at least as being meant to sound true. Naturally, each story in the Bible is exactly that: a story. There is a deeper meaning behind it, it's a parable through which morals are illustrated. How questionable these morals are can always be discussed, however, one has to analyse the parable for being so in order to get to those morals.
I found Wenke's book hugely entertaining. It was a fun read that I didn't want to put down till the very end. However, I doubt I'll ever reread it because once the jokes are known they're no longer that funny. Wenke picks up on some really interesting points but doesn't develop them and in the end it is therefore nothing more than a funny book.
October 10, 2013
I’m not sure what the title of Dr. Joe Wenke’s book, YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!, is referring to. Wenke admits it was written to “cause trouble” and I’m sure it has. He’s kidding around with a subject that is not known to promote levity. The back cover says it’s an investigation into the bestselling book of all time. I’d consider it more a writer’s attempt at finding humor in sanctity, to what end I’m not sure. Selling books doesn’t justify achieving eternal damnation.
No question the doctor is well-versed in the contents of the bible. He does about as good a job at condensing the Holy Scriptures into fathomable form as any attempt I’ve seen. He does that to allow for irreverent and funny commentary on the events that are portrayed. As a self-proclaimed cultural arsonist, according to the book notes, he wants to force people to reexamine their view of the Bible. Many people, of course, don’t want to be forced to alter their vision.
Is the book funny? That depends on your frame of mind. Most people will probably be disturbed at his writing. There is irreverence of course, much obscenity and foul language, and the opportunity to laugh at the events and parables found in the Good Book. I felt uncomfortable reading some of his remarks. At other times I found myself wondering about the veracity of the events even as he was mocking them. And I laughed sometimes.
So who might find his remarks funny? Those who are already skeptical about the Bible, have doubts about its veracity, and choose to live without its teachings would, in my mind, be prime candidates to enjoy the comedy. Those who survive in life by not taking anything too seriously might be amused (that’s me). Those who enjoy sarcasm, comical banter, and irreverent comment might also find the book comical (me again).
There are many others, my sister-in-law for example, who would find the book sacrilegious, wicked, and blasphemous. That’s okay because they won’t be reading it. There are a lot of very religious people out there who won’t be buying the book which might cause a lag in sales. I’m sure Dr. Wenke took that into consideration and sales have apparently been good.
My take on the book is somewhat in the middle of all this speculation. I liked his condensation of the biblical events and comedic take on the way they all went down. His humor was dry and sometime hilarious. His writing was sparse and well edited. I thought some portions too irreverent, too profane, and, frankly, a little too silly, but I enjoyed his effort. I just didn’t love it.
No question the doctor is well-versed in the contents of the bible. He does about as good a job at condensing the Holy Scriptures into fathomable form as any attempt I’ve seen. He does that to allow for irreverent and funny commentary on the events that are portrayed. As a self-proclaimed cultural arsonist, according to the book notes, he wants to force people to reexamine their view of the Bible. Many people, of course, don’t want to be forced to alter their vision.
Is the book funny? That depends on your frame of mind. Most people will probably be disturbed at his writing. There is irreverence of course, much obscenity and foul language, and the opportunity to laugh at the events and parables found in the Good Book. I felt uncomfortable reading some of his remarks. At other times I found myself wondering about the veracity of the events even as he was mocking them. And I laughed sometimes.
So who might find his remarks funny? Those who are already skeptical about the Bible, have doubts about its veracity, and choose to live without its teachings would, in my mind, be prime candidates to enjoy the comedy. Those who survive in life by not taking anything too seriously might be amused (that’s me). Those who enjoy sarcasm, comical banter, and irreverent comment might also find the book comical (me again).
There are many others, my sister-in-law for example, who would find the book sacrilegious, wicked, and blasphemous. That’s okay because they won’t be reading it. There are a lot of very religious people out there who won’t be buying the book which might cause a lag in sales. I’m sure Dr. Wenke took that into consideration and sales have apparently been good.
My take on the book is somewhat in the middle of all this speculation. I liked his condensation of the biblical events and comedic take on the way they all went down. His humor was dry and sometime hilarious. His writing was sparse and well edited. I thought some portions too irreverent, too profane, and, frankly, a little too silly, but I enjoyed his effort. I just didn’t love it.
August 29, 2012
Review originally featured on Bookluvrs Haven
I grew up Roman Catholic, yet with a very strong mind of my own. Though I enjoyed many stories of the Bible, even from a young age I did question the stories myself, and found them more entertaining than anything else.
I am armed with a great sense of humour that ranges from sarcastic, to dirty, and just plain fun so I thought this book would be for me. I would certainly not be the type of Catholic that would read this and be offended or act indignant that someone dared to poke fun at one of the most powerful and best selling books of all history.
As I began this novel, I was truly delighted. The author's poking of fun at the Adam and Eve story, and some of Genesis had me literally laughing out loud. But that didn't really last.
Soon after, my love of this book began to decline rapidly as I found much repetition in what I can only describe as angry sounding rants. The tone changed to arrogance, anger and almost felt preachy to me, which I found to be ironic. There were still some redeeming funny moments scattered throughout the remainder of this novel, but not enough to elevate my rating past the two stars that I ended up giving it. In fact, I was glad this book was under 200 pages, as I also began to feel quite bored. Even the insertion of foul language didn't amuse me. On the contrary, I found it misplaced and unnecessary.
There was nothing really new and shocking in this book. No life-altering questions asked. In fact, I found some of the question posed to be a little silly at times. I understand what the author was trying to achieve, and that he was exploring these stories in a literal sense, but the delivery was overall lacking in holding my interest and failed to sustain the level of humour achieved at its beginning.
That being said, I do commend the author for undertaking such a project that I am sure runs the risk of not being well received by a large group of readers, or outright avoided. I enjoy having my thoughts challenged to think outside the box. Unfortunately, this really wasn't one of those works, though I must say that the first 15% was extremely amusing and enjoyable and worth the investment of reading this.
*I received a eBook copy of this book for free to review from the publisher via NetGalley; this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.*
I grew up Roman Catholic, yet with a very strong mind of my own. Though I enjoyed many stories of the Bible, even from a young age I did question the stories myself, and found them more entertaining than anything else.
I am armed with a great sense of humour that ranges from sarcastic, to dirty, and just plain fun so I thought this book would be for me. I would certainly not be the type of Catholic that would read this and be offended or act indignant that someone dared to poke fun at one of the most powerful and best selling books of all history.
As I began this novel, I was truly delighted. The author's poking of fun at the Adam and Eve story, and some of Genesis had me literally laughing out loud. But that didn't really last.
Soon after, my love of this book began to decline rapidly as I found much repetition in what I can only describe as angry sounding rants. The tone changed to arrogance, anger and almost felt preachy to me, which I found to be ironic. There were still some redeeming funny moments scattered throughout the remainder of this novel, but not enough to elevate my rating past the two stars that I ended up giving it. In fact, I was glad this book was under 200 pages, as I also began to feel quite bored. Even the insertion of foul language didn't amuse me. On the contrary, I found it misplaced and unnecessary.
There was nothing really new and shocking in this book. No life-altering questions asked. In fact, I found some of the question posed to be a little silly at times. I understand what the author was trying to achieve, and that he was exploring these stories in a literal sense, but the delivery was overall lacking in holding my interest and failed to sustain the level of humour achieved at its beginning.
That being said, I do commend the author for undertaking such a project that I am sure runs the risk of not being well received by a large group of readers, or outright avoided. I enjoy having my thoughts challenged to think outside the box. Unfortunately, this really wasn't one of those works, though I must say that the first 15% was extremely amusing and enjoyable and worth the investment of reading this.
*I received a eBook copy of this book for free to review from the publisher via NetGalley; this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.*
December 13, 2012
So I recently read this book and I have to say is possibly the worst book on the Bible that I have ever encountered. There must have been some publisher who woke up in the middle of the night one day and said, "do you know what the world needs? More of insipid nonsense!" and they tracked down Joe Wenke to create it.
The author of the book seems to be attempting to achieve three things at once and doing all of them quite poorly. The first thing is an attempt to be funny, something I support quite a bit in principle (who doesn't like to laugh?) In fact, I fully support humor even humor about things that I take very seriously, like the Bible. I can even think of 1 or 2 examples where this is done very well. I found AJ Jacobs book "A Year of Living Biblically", for example, to be both hilarious as well as filled with quality thoughtful reflections on some of the difficulties of the Bible. This book on the other hand it's filled with adolescents nonsense. The humor is immature, the punchlines are predictable, and the jokes fall flat every time. I honestly felt like I was rolling my eyes the entire time i was reading the book.
The second goal of this book seems to be to criticize the Bible's content. As someone who has spent much of my professional life critically analyzing the Bible, I find absolutely no fault in this ambition. The way it is done in this case, however, is atrocious. The reading of the Bible seems to have been done exclusively through a fundamentalist lens, I get the feeling that whoever wrote this book was raised in a conservative Christian home and has never taken the time to invest in any serious biblical scholarship outside that perspective. If you're going to write a book about the Bible at least try to do some research.
The third goal of this book seems to have been to be offensive. This goal fails in so far as it did not offended me in the ways the author wanted it to. It did not offended my religious sensibilities nearly as much as it offended my good taste.It was so poorly written that I feel bad that some publisher was willing to publish publicly humiliate the author by publishing this thing. Its an embarrassment to everyone involved.
I hope this review can keep you from wasting a few hours of your life reading this book.
The author of the book seems to be attempting to achieve three things at once and doing all of them quite poorly. The first thing is an attempt to be funny, something I support quite a bit in principle (who doesn't like to laugh?) In fact, I fully support humor even humor about things that I take very seriously, like the Bible. I can even think of 1 or 2 examples where this is done very well. I found AJ Jacobs book "A Year of Living Biblically", for example, to be both hilarious as well as filled with quality thoughtful reflections on some of the difficulties of the Bible. This book on the other hand it's filled with adolescents nonsense. The humor is immature, the punchlines are predictable, and the jokes fall flat every time. I honestly felt like I was rolling my eyes the entire time i was reading the book.
The second goal of this book seems to be to criticize the Bible's content. As someone who has spent much of my professional life critically analyzing the Bible, I find absolutely no fault in this ambition. The way it is done in this case, however, is atrocious. The reading of the Bible seems to have been done exclusively through a fundamentalist lens, I get the feeling that whoever wrote this book was raised in a conservative Christian home and has never taken the time to invest in any serious biblical scholarship outside that perspective. If you're going to write a book about the Bible at least try to do some research.
The third goal of this book seems to have been to be offensive. This goal fails in so far as it did not offended me in the ways the author wanted it to. It did not offended my religious sensibilities nearly as much as it offended my good taste.It was so poorly written that I feel bad that some publisher was willing to publish publicly humiliate the author by publishing this thing. Its an embarrassment to everyone involved.
I hope this review can keep you from wasting a few hours of your life reading this book.
August 26, 2013
Read my 3.5 extended review on MINA'S BOOKSHELF
http://minadecaro.blogspot.com/2013/0...
With its sixty-six individual books written on two or possibly three different continents, in three different languages, by forty authors over a period of about 1,500 years, the Holy Bible is probably the most controversial book of all times. Full of contradictions and discrepancies (one for all the stark contrast between the God of Wrath of the Old Testament and the God of Love of the New Testament), the Scriptures are an easy target for sarcasm and mockery...really, you don't need to be an atheist to understand that this collection of chronicles and revelations is anything but a unified text. And do we want to talk also about the apocrypha, the ancient books that didn't make it for some reason to the status of canonical Bible? A literal interpretation of what is considered the book of Truth is simply unrealistic. The clash between Creationism and Evolutionism (to mention only one of the biggest elephants in the room) is too loud to be ignored, even for an observant Catholic. Some of the events chronicled in the Old Testament are so far-fetched that the author makes them sound like a bunch of folkloric retellings: no reliable sources, no eyewitnesses. A tribal code rather, with all those examples of gender inequality, fundamentalism, LGBT-hate and misogynism.
Wenke's relentless sarcasm and anti-bigotry doesn't spare the Gospels as well, although he seems to shift his gear when talking about Jesus: the unyielding criticism of the pre-Messiah chapters loses some of its sting. In the author's words, "Jesus is the coolest guy by far...", still a 'legendary' figure for lack of documentation, but more humane and egalitarian. I personally enjoyed this section of the book above all others. If the author's intent was to elicit a few chuckles about a matter that should not be taken lightly at all, he succeeded. If you are an atheist, or a Christian who can see the absurdity of some of the anecdotes narrated in Holy Scriptures, Joe Wenke's humor won't be wasted on you.
***Review copy graciously offered by the publicist in return of an unbiased and honest opinion.
http://minadecaro.blogspot.com/2013/0...
With its sixty-six individual books written on two or possibly three different continents, in three different languages, by forty authors over a period of about 1,500 years, the Holy Bible is probably the most controversial book of all times. Full of contradictions and discrepancies (one for all the stark contrast between the God of Wrath of the Old Testament and the God of Love of the New Testament), the Scriptures are an easy target for sarcasm and mockery...really, you don't need to be an atheist to understand that this collection of chronicles and revelations is anything but a unified text. And do we want to talk also about the apocrypha, the ancient books that didn't make it for some reason to the status of canonical Bible? A literal interpretation of what is considered the book of Truth is simply unrealistic. The clash between Creationism and Evolutionism (to mention only one of the biggest elephants in the room) is too loud to be ignored, even for an observant Catholic. Some of the events chronicled in the Old Testament are so far-fetched that the author makes them sound like a bunch of folkloric retellings: no reliable sources, no eyewitnesses. A tribal code rather, with all those examples of gender inequality, fundamentalism, LGBT-hate and misogynism.
Wenke's relentless sarcasm and anti-bigotry doesn't spare the Gospels as well, although he seems to shift his gear when talking about Jesus: the unyielding criticism of the pre-Messiah chapters loses some of its sting. In the author's words, "Jesus is the coolest guy by far...", still a 'legendary' figure for lack of documentation, but more humane and egalitarian. I personally enjoyed this section of the book above all others. If the author's intent was to elicit a few chuckles about a matter that should not be taken lightly at all, he succeeded. If you are an atheist, or a Christian who can see the absurdity of some of the anecdotes narrated in Holy Scriptures, Joe Wenke's humor won't be wasted on you.
***Review copy graciously offered by the publicist in return of an unbiased and honest opinion.
November 21, 2012
Let me just start out by saying that this is without a doubt the funniest book I've ever read. I sat with my parents and read aloud some of the passages and we all laughed a lot!
It was such an interesting take on the bible and whilst I kind of always hovered between believer and non-believer this book tipped me into the non-believer category. This isn't a bad thing. It points out just how unfair, old fashioned, sexist and ridiculous some of the stories are, Noah's Ark for example.
I highly recommend this book for those who don't believe or for those who aren't sure, it's very funny and very interesting. I don't think I'd recommend it to devout Christians though as it may cause offence.
It was such an interesting take on the bible and whilst I kind of always hovered between believer and non-believer this book tipped me into the non-believer category. This isn't a bad thing. It points out just how unfair, old fashioned, sexist and ridiculous some of the stories are, Noah's Ark for example.
I highly recommend this book for those who don't believe or for those who aren't sure, it's very funny and very interesting. I don't think I'd recommend it to devout Christians though as it may cause offence.
December 5, 2012
Oh my! This is very funny, as long as you are not that devoted to the bible. Joe turns everything on its head and makes it a really interesting read.
Each and every story the Bible contains has been turned on its head and reduced to a basic premise that contains none of the metaphor we usually read. Taken at its most literal, the stories of the Bible look like comedy skits on the hands of Joe Wenke.
This made me laugh, but gasp at the retelling of the Bible. If you are not precious about your take on God, then you may find this a funny, little read. A last minute word of recommendation – do not read this to someone who has lived with the Bible all of their lives. I did this and got some very ‘interesting’ looks!
Each and every story the Bible contains has been turned on its head and reduced to a basic premise that contains none of the metaphor we usually read. Taken at its most literal, the stories of the Bible look like comedy skits on the hands of Joe Wenke.
This made me laugh, but gasp at the retelling of the Bible. If you are not precious about your take on God, then you may find this a funny, little read. A last minute word of recommendation – do not read this to someone who has lived with the Bible all of their lives. I did this and got some very ‘interesting’ looks!
January 22, 2014
This book is all about the Bible. Dr. Joe Wenke goes through different parts of the bible commenting on what he thought was funny. And not only does this book come across as hilarious, but it is also very insightful at the same time. The author also asks many insightful yet funny questions about the bible. For example he asks "why did God turn Lot's wife into a pillar of salt? Were there no other seasonings available?" I think for most of us we don't think anything of it. We just perceive it as fact and don't really allow ourselves to wonder why most of the time. Dr. Joe Wenke does that for us in this book. So if you want a new perspective on the bible that makes you think and say why have I not thought about that before? Well than this books is for you.
October 7, 2012
What a way to point out the discrepancies and inconsistencies in the Holy Bible. Just be prepared! The author investigates every important event in the Book and gives his opinion in an outspoken, provocative, ironical, often hilarious, often very sarcastic tone. Atheists will have a lot of laughs; if you're religious, have a sense of humor, and are "openminded," you might have fun; if you strongly believe in the sanctity of the Bible, you'd better not read this "oeuvre."
I had a lot of good laughs, and there are indeed a lot of events in the Book that make you wonder and question.
I wish however that the language was a bit more clean.
I had a lot of good laughs, and there are indeed a lot of events in the Book that make you wonder and question.
I wish however that the language was a bit more clean.
November 19, 2012
3.5
I really loved the first half of this, it was funny full of satire, I laughed out loud while reading it...then it sort of dragged, mulled along. I had a really hard time finishing it. The middle was not near as interesting as the start, but the gusto that I found so endearing in the beginning did find its way back towards the very end.
This book isn't for everyone. It is satire. It does explain the bible in a way that I know not everyone will agree with and many will be angry with. So, if you do not want your bible satirized, don't read it. But, if you want a literal reading of the bible, it is definitely worth the read. I'd say you just have to be in the mood to read it.
I really loved the first half of this, it was funny full of satire, I laughed out loud while reading it...then it sort of dragged, mulled along. I had a really hard time finishing it. The middle was not near as interesting as the start, but the gusto that I found so endearing in the beginning did find its way back towards the very end.
This book isn't for everyone. It is satire. It does explain the bible in a way that I know not everyone will agree with and many will be angry with. So, if you do not want your bible satirized, don't read it. But, if you want a literal reading of the bible, it is definitely worth the read. I'd say you just have to be in the mood to read it.
June 22, 2015
This book will have a limited audience - because - Fundamentalists will think it blasphemous and educated Liberal Christians will realize, as the author is not a Bible scholar, there are explanations for almost of all his satire. My advice to both groups - GET OVER YOURSELF. The book is fun. The book is often laugh-out-loud funny. The book has three of the nicest chapters on Jesus I have read in awhile. And, finally, the book expresses what a lot of people think. At last the author took time to actually read the book he satirized. I enjoyed it.
Want to Read
November 21, 2012Well before reading this book I can tell you as a Catholic school survivor my religion teachers told us that the Bible is not meant to be taken literally when it comes to those grand stories. Noah's Ark? The flood probably lasted a day or two and it wasn't as horrible as it sounded..not to mention how can one man get two of EVERY animal on board, etc etc.
That being said, it should still be humorous to read this.
That being said, it should still be humorous to read this.
February 16, 2014
This was a very funny book, but if your religion is central to your life, you may be offended and not see the humor in it. If you are one of the many secular minded people and don't mind having the obvious absurdities of the Christian Bible being unmasked, I can all but guarantee that this book will give you a lot of smiles and some guilty laughter as well!
If you are a secular humanist or freethinker of some sort, I would highly recommend this very funny satirical reading of the Bible.
If you are a secular humanist or freethinker of some sort, I would highly recommend this very funny satirical reading of the Bible.
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