A Serrated Edge - Douglas Wilson

A Serrated Edge: A Brief Defense of Biblical Satire and Trinitarian Skylarking by Douglas Wilson

Canon Press 2003

This was a quick, thought-provoking, and funny read.

If Doug Wilson and some of his writing make you uncomfortable, this would be a good book. (Or as an introduction to his writing in general, if you're not familiar with it.)

This is not mockery of what is sacred, but a defense of it. It is not contempt, but deep respect. Love which is really love, will fight for what it believes.

I feel like some of the passages from the book taken out of context could be either confusing or misleading... So I'm just going to stick with this quote. (Even as fond as we all are with quoting Doug Wilson out of context.)

When we find examples in Scripture (and in Church history) of men who can do both--comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable--we have to take care that we categorize them as the Bible teaches us to. They are not to be thought of as conflicted personalities, but rather as examples of obedience and balance."

I filled up another five pages in my journal with other portions. Hope that doesn't go against any copyright laws. ;-)

I really enjoyed this book and was completely persuaded in principle. In practice this seems like an area for caution, wisdom, and prayer. I think Christians have used this sort of satire well, but also badly and from a completely wrong spirit.

Wilson's greatest emphasis is diligent search of the Scriptures and to truly love in a biblical manner.

Who can argue with that?

Now, how well does our idea of love match Christ's? And how well do we read our Bibles (and is our translation The Message)?

It seems like this is all especially dangerous for us young people. There are great temptations in this sort of stuff and we already have enough. If our attitude is pride and elitism, we have some serious problems. Jesus' favorite victims of satire were, after all, the Pharisees.

Perhaps our greatest test is if we have first learned to laugh at ourselves.

Any thoughts?

Thanks for reading,

Miss Pickwickian