Christian Pipe-Smoking: An Introduction to Holy Incense

by Uriesou Brito, Joffre Swait

It is but a booklet, some twenty-five pages, but each page will delight the Christian pipe smoker, enlighten his heathen fellow-enthusiast, crush the ambitions of the heathen teetotaler, and soften the heart of the Christian abstainer. All four of these good things are guaranteed to happen if you but promise to go onto your porch tomorrow with your pad or other device, light your pipe, and Tolle Lege.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian Living

33 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2014

About the author

Uri Brito was born in Natal, Brazil. He has lived in the United States for over 20 years. He received his Bachelor’s in Pastoral Studies from Clearwater Christian College and graduated from Reformed Theological Seminary with an M.Div.

He is a certified counselor through the Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC).
Pastor Brito has been the Senior Pastor of Providence Church in Pensacola, Fl. since 2009. He is married to Melinda and they have four children.

Reviews

[Linn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Só espero que, depois de ler este precioso livreto, meu noivo não migre dos charutos (dos quais eu já não sou fã) para o cachimbo. Oh, homens!

[Rob McCutcheon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and a little cheeky

This is a fun little book that raises some interesting points, but is mostly just an homage to pipe smoking with a nod to Christianity.

[Malachi Liberda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy good things from God

[Joel Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glorious.
Short and full of fantastic pithy quotes, I very much enjoyed this book.
On a more serious note it also has a great message about great men in history and the slow burn of a good friends, great conversation and a pipe full of delicious tobacco.

This world we spend such a short time in is full of God given delights; and a delicious pipe for me, is one of them.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really delightful little booklet for the enjoyment of (especially) the pipe smoker. I know both authors, and these are two really joyful men who want to spread the joy of one of their favorite activities. Seriously, if you want a good time, hang out with Joffre. He's a giant, but you will find very few men who understand joy like him. Uri strikes me the same way.

I have one small critique of the booklet. I don't know Uri as well as Joffre, but I know Joffre is a poet. It felt like they were really trying hard to be poetic in the book. That made it feel a little awkward in spots. It presented itself by the flow of sentences. Sometimes they feel disjointed to me. That might have been on purpose, like each sentence was written and then a few puffs on the pipe later they wrote the next sentence. But on occasion I was like, hey, they need some transition thought between those two thoughts.

Great stuff. I wrote this review with my pipe in my mouth.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gives a good but brief introduction to the idea of pipe smoking for the Christian and how it is different from other forms of smoking like cigarettes and cigars. Pipe smoking is not a hurried affair but it involves preparation and rhythmic consummation. Just like how the story of redemption unfolds over centuries throughout the Holy Scriptures so pipe smoking takes its time. It encourages us to take time to slow down and connect with what is good in Creation, to spend time meditating on its Creator. The mechanical actions of pipe smoking can help to parallel the spiritual. As we perform its ritual we are reminded that God did not jump from creation to consummation. Let us take the time to enjoy God as we delight in Him.

[Jun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful.

[Scott Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be forewarned, this is a glimpse into a book that should be written, an introduction to a future timeless classic. The twenty-something pages are far too few to satisfy most readers. In fact, I could not even finish the pipe I had started before this introduction to Holy Incense came to an abrupt end. I especially enjoyed the appendices with the various quotes related to pipe smoking. An enjoyable albeit far too brief of a read, still I highly recommend.

[Adam Barger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and interesting, this short book provides a brief overview of the rhythms of pipe smoking from a Christian perspective. Touching on philosophy, sociology, and even anthropology, the authors reference both the traditions and utility of pipe smoking in an attempt to draw the reader into a slower and more contemplative smoke. I especially appreciated the quotations and poems in the appendices.

[William R Tuggle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and truthful

Although a short read, this book proclaims the joys of pipe smoking in a very nonsensical manner that anyone should understand. This would make a great gift to anyone new to the art of pipe smoking.

[Miyagi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short read. Personally, I was hoping for a little more depth but I still thoroughly enjoyed this eBook.

[Scott Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful little book. It’s inspired me to think about writing/thinking on pipe smoking as liturgy.

“But like liturgy, symbols powerfully communicate the desires of human beings. Pipe-smoking communicates a desire for temperance and a certain calm disposition toward the world. Einstein once wrote: “I believe that pipe smoking contributes to a somewhat calm and objective judgment in all human affairs.” Human affairs have been by and large decided on the basis of manipulation and instant gratification.”

“The pipe is as earthy as you and I. The pipe itself, the tobacco, the fire, the handling and stuffing and lighting and puffing, make pipe smoking a most physical activity. It is us stuff, and when used connects itself to us, and us to Creation.”

[Brandon Leatherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much! Never before now have I heard how smoking a pipe can be good for the mind, the body, and the soul. And there is a great wisdom in the final thought of the book (I won't spoil it for you).

Five stars out of five!

[Benjamin Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short read!

I like how the authors make the case for us Christian pipe smokers. Short and to the point. A little too short in my humble opinion. I like how pipe smoking quotes and poems are included.

[Ryan Watkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and light

[Richie Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Christian pipe-smoker, I found this boom to be encouraging and helpful.

[Gradon Schaub · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a title like this, why wouldn’t you read the book!

[Michael Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pamphlet that will billow you up to Heaven

This short little pamphlet is a wonderful devotional for the pipe-smoker with a lot of meat to ponder over a pipe.

[Daniel Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick, but satisfying read for the soul.

Both flowery and to the point. A variation on the theme of seeing earthly with the eyes of the heavenly. Thoroughly enjoyable!

[Bruno Ritir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leitura tranquila. Não é uma defesa teológica sobre o ato de fumar, mas traz uma leveza na forma como devemos pensar sobre o assunto.

[Micah Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I meant to write a review, but I was too busy cleaning my pipe.

[Noah Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Pipe-smoking communicates a desire for temperance and a certain calm disposition toward the world."

[Mark Lickliter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would use basic common sense. This book had a lot of goofy stuff in it to justify a questionable practice. I don't think you'd kill yourself by smoking an occasional pipe or cigar, but I didn't buy most of what was in this short book. You'd be better off just listening to your doctor. I've always wondered about vaping. I think it smells good, but it obviously can't be too good for you. People go to great lengths to justify their trendy, and questionable habits. This definitely fits that category! Check out a simple WebMD article if you'd like some simple facts:

https://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessati...

[Tagore Martins · Rating 2 out of 5]

O livro fala sobre as possibilidades do fumo do cachimbo em relação à glorificar a Deus, exaltando-o como um meio para deleite, reflexão, comunhão e edificação dos outros. Apesar disso, não apresenta sequer um página que fale sobre os riscos associados ao fumo, ou que apresente referências que à isso contradiga. Assim, não se considera objeções básicas ao fumo como: abrigar um comportamento destrutivo glorifica a Deus? Os malefícios causados pelo fumo passivo não são uma falta de amor para com o próximo?

Aos que buscam uma orientação para decidir sobre fumar ou não cachimbos para a glória de Deus faltará recursos argumentativos e bíblicos sobre a questão. Aos que já desenvolveram uma mentalidade onde o fumo é visto como positivo para a vida cristã, o livro se mostrará delicadamente belo.

[Jonah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not merely about pipe smoking, but in a richer way, it is about the Kingdom of God changing the world. Go ahead and read it if you doubt me. Well done, guys!

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, but too short!

[Abmael Filho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Polêmico para o contexto brasileiro no qual o fumo é um mal testemunho.