Evangellyfish: A Novel - Softcover

Wilson, Douglas

Softcover

ISBN 10: 194450396X ISBN 13: 9781944503963

Publisher: Canon Press, 2012

Synopsis

BEST FICTION AWARD - Christianity Today 2012

Evangellyfish is a ruthless, grimly amused, and above all honest look at one of the darkest corners in the western world. Douglas Wilson, a pastor of more than thirty years, paints a vivid and painful picture of evangelical boomchurch leadership. . . in bed.

Chad Lester's kingdom is found in the Midwest. His voice crawls over the airwaves, his books are read by millions (before he reads them), and thousands ride the escalators into the sanctuary every Sunday. And Saturday. And Wednesday, too. He is the head pastor of Camel Creek -- a CEO of Soul. And souls come cheap, so he has no overhead.

When Lester is (falsely) accused of molesting a young male counselee, his universe begins to crumble. He is a sexual predator, yes. But strictly straight (and deeply offended that anyone would suggest otherwise). Detectives, reporters, assistant pastors, and old lovers and pay-offs all come out to play.

John Mitchell is also a pastor, but he has no kingdom to speak of -- only smalltime choir feuds. He is thrilled at the great man's fall, but his joy quickly fades when the imploding Lester calls him -- and a lover or two -- for help. How low can grace go? Whores, thieves, and junkies, sure. But pastors?

About this title

About the Author:

Douglas Wilson is pastor of Christ Church in Moscow, ID, editor of Credenda/Agenda magazine, former newspaper columnist, and author of over thirty books on a variety of subjects. He has written for The Huffington Post, World, Books & Culture, Christianity Today, and more. He blogs regularly at dougwils.com.

Review:

"Before I dipped into this novel, I was told it was a satire. What satire? I was a pastor for 10 years, and reading this made me squirm. Wilson grasps the untold ambiguities that contemporary pastors experience. This is realistic fiction. No, make that just realistic." ---Mark Galli, Senior Managing Editor, Christianity Today

"Scathing....Insightful....Hilarious...." ---Tim Challies, Author and Book Reviewer, Challies.com

"Wilson's almost medical precision with the human soul makes Evangellyfish a fantastic read." -The American Conservative (May 2012)

"I have no desire to read yet another Elmer Gantry knockoff about a sex-obsessed preacher and his congregation of hypocrites. Fortunately, Evangellyfish isn't one more on the pile. Doug Wilson isn't writing about 'those crazy Christians,' he's writing about us crazy Christians. When you start this short novel, you'll want to believe it describes that big church across town. By the time you finish, you'll remember that it describes the bigger church you're a part of, that scandalous body that God keeps calling his. Wilson understands better than most that 'judgment must begin at the house of God,' and that God still dwells there despite the most squalid conditions." ---Ted Olsen, Managing Editor, News & Online Journalism, Christianity Today

About this edition

• Publisher: Canon Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 194450396X
• ISBN 13: 9781944503963
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 232