A Comedian's Guide to Theology | 
 enlarge | Author: Thor Ramsey
Publisher: Regal Books
Category: Book
List Price: $12.99
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Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 248862
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 232
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8
ISBN: 0830745300
Dewey Decimal Number: 230.0207
EAN: 9780830745302
ASIN: 0830745300
Publication Date: March 3, 2008
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Product Description
Thor Ramsey (hereafter known as the Jon Stewart of the theological world) defends the essentials of the Christian faith in this volume of comedy for the thinking person. Armed with only a laptop and a rapier wit, he defends the inspiration of the Bible (all Scripture is inspired by God; in other words, when you tell someone off, quote the Bible), the doctrine of total depravity (calling someone out for their sins is a tricky business, especially if you don't know how to operate a bullhorn), and the supremacy of Christ (or why Thor's God is bigger than your god), along with a host of other essential doctrines of the Christian faith. Packed with funny stories and hard-hitting truths, this comprehensive collection of biblical insights and personal anecdotes will surprise readers, destroy their misconceptions and leave them wanting more. For readers looking alternatives to the conversation of traditional faith, or those who have a taste for fearless (and hilarious) honesty, A Comedian's Guide to Theology will permanently change how we all look at Christianity or at least offer a good-hearted shove out of the box (or back in the box, if that's where you need to be).
What a supreme pleasure to read a book that I find powerfully honest, theologically kapow dead-on, and incredibly and ACTUALLY funny funny funny funny! This book is so brilliantly funny and dead-on that if I weren't a very mature Christian I might be jealous.
Eric Metaxas, New York Times best-selling author of Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery, and former editor of The Yale Record
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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
A Comedian's Guide to Theology December 9, 2008
I've read this book twice and even now, if I were to thumb through it, I'm sure to start reading it front to back, completing it again! I've even given away two copies. This book is very funny AND right on target. The book is about what a lot of Christians should and may not know about Theology but the reason the author has written this book is because he cares about Truth. Thor writes in his Preface #1 (yes, there are two: "Because Postmoderns Need Their Choices") that what concerns him is the "assault on Truth from within the Church".
He takes detailed exception to the post-modern Christian writers of our time. I applaud the author's short but insightful definition of Post-modernism in how it regards Truth (also found in Preface #1): "...we're entering the post-modern era, which means bellbottoms are really out of style. Or not. The thing is, you can't say with any certainty that bellbottoms are out of style, because the very nature of Truth is being questioned...unless the truth happens to be how much you have to pay for the bellbottoms. Then Truth is pretty absolute. Even at these outlet malls, the cashiers don't seem to be embracing postmodernism. It is often said that it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you're sincere. My mother-in-law believes that I'm an idiot. Well, okay, sometimes you can be sincere and right. But my point is, what if she had been wrong? You see? Sometimes sincerity doesn't change the Truth..."
Thor is best known as a comedian (http://www.thorramsey.com) but he does know what he is writing about in regards to Theology, having studied English literature and Hellenistic Greek at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.
Some of the topics, which he writes are Christianity compared to other religions, Hell, and Grace. Don't discount this book because of Thor's delivery; his approach may be humorous but his observations are profound.
In order to share a profound observation example, it was hard for me to choose just one but here's a try: From Chapter 13, "Everybody Likes Jesus (Christology Which is Christ with -ology Added to His Name)" the author states: "The Jesus who speaks to the churches in Revelation sounds a lot different from most of the preaching I hear today, and this frightens me. For example, most pleas made to people today are all about receiving a free gift, which is a tenet of the gospel mentioned right there in Revelation; but this plea is made without mentioning the fact that Jesus also says that the only ones who will be with Him in heaven are the ones who overcome and do His will to the end. Talk about your fine print. Jesus certainly expects more of us than our local churches do. He expects are full devotion, which in turn affects how we live. In other words, if we experience Jesus, we will do something."
Ouch.
Okay, I can't stop at just one example so here's another from the same chapter: "...if we don't have a way of processing our encounters with Christ, besides our own burning in the bosom, we could end up with a Jesus as imaginary friend, not the real Jesus. One of the problems we have with interpreting the Jesus of he Bible, after hundreds of years and innumerable Christian leaders have commented and written and preached and emphasized differing aspects of the Gospels, only later to be caught with the church secretary, is bowing our own feelings to the Scriptures. The Jesus of experience is meaningless without the Jesus of the Bible. The Jesus of experience is made your servant without your submission to the words in red."
More, please! October 29, 2008
This guy's funny...and highly opinionated.
You may or may not agree with everything in this book. In fact, you might be offended at it. It's not kosher. Thor doesn't hold back as he beats you in the head with what he sees as valuable.
I highly recommend reading it.
It's a funny, easy read (unless you're living like a heathen, in which case it might torment you) that makes you often stop and question what you believe. We need more of this in the body of Christ. While he definitely has his opinions, and he's not shy about letting you know what he thinks, we would do well to think long and hard about what he has to say.
If you aren't one to understand (and love) sarcasm, this isn't the book for you. After all, a comedian DID write it. If you can take the punches, this might just help you in this life AND the life to come.
Get it. Chew on it. Feel free to disagree, but don't disagree based on your feelings about God. Who would have thought that a comedian could be so staunch of a Christian?
Much love for Thor.
Should be required reading!!! July 8, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
It is so refreshing for a Christian author to shed the facades and pretense and get down into the real nitty-gritty of this thing we call life. Human beings who pretend they don't struggle (doubt, temptation, etc.)are both liars, and fools.(**My words, not the author's.**) Thor skillfully intertwines biblical truth, hilarious insight, and the reality of the difficulties of our existence. He's "real", and I can relate. I have a feeling more will feel the same...if they read it that is.
Out! Out! Out! June 1, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
First, let me say that I know that more than 10 people agreed to write a review when they bought Thor's book at one of his shows......where is everyone? :)
Although I haven't finished the book yet, I already have a lot of pages marked with great quotes. Thor puts in writing what some are afraid of saying - it's about time!
Thanks for the laughs, Thor......hope there's more in the future!
It made me laugh AND think...hmmmm, unusual May 29, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Comedian. Theologian. These word appear antithetical but Thor narrows the gap in this book. Thor defends historical, orthodox Christianity and brings to light some often overlooked theological undertones of the emergent church. The unique perspective of Thor's comedic mind kept me engaged from beginning to end. I found myself tracking with a theological point one moment and the next moment being "slapped upside the head" by a joke I never saw coming. Good stuff. Any book that causes multiple "hey, honey listen to this..." moments is a keeper. Don't borrow it, buy it.
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