Andrew Wilson's "The Case For Idolatry", satire that's edifying and instructive

Andrew Wilson of THINK blog wrote a brilliant parody of the (non) evangelical writer/thinker/seeker who blogs about why it is all right to sin. You know the ones, the Rachel Held Evans's of the world, writing about why woman can have positions of authority. 'Rise up, women, get over your patriarchal oppressor!' Or the Rob Bells who write about why Jesus is only love and hell isn't what we thought it was. 'Hell, hell doesn't even exist, really, if you squint when you read the bible and hold it in the right light'. Or any other of this kind of writer, recapitulating the biblical stance on homosexuality (and we have all seen way too many of those of late, haven't we?)

If you're familiar with that kind of blogger and that kind of Christian-y writing, you will enjoy this essay immensely. In fact, it is the best parody of any kind I ever read. Here is how it begins:

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to worship idols. It’s not that my parents raised me that way, because they didn’t; I was brought up in a loving, secure, Christian home. But from childhood until today, my heart has been drawn to idolatry. In fact, if I’m honest, one of the defining features of my identity has been my desire to put something else – popularity, money, influence, sex, success – in place of God.

That’s just who I am.

Please enjoy Wilson's The Case for Idolatry: Why Evangelical Christians Can Worship Idols at his blog.

JD Greear wrote of Wilson's piece,

This is a piece of satire, and an insightful one at that. You should be able to recognize some common arguments here dressed up in different clothes. Parodies can be edifying (though not all are), and I think this offers us a helpful perspective on a hotly debated topic today.

GotQuestions explains the difference between satire or sarcasm from a biblical perspective, offering several examples of when Paul was bitingly ironic, and Isaiah and Elijah were satirical. Their essay explains,

Sarcasm is the use of irony (saying one thing while meaning another) or other rhetorical devices in a biting, hurtful way. There is a difference between sarcasm and satire, although they are related. Satire is the use of irony or ridicule to expose foolishness, but without the “bite” of sarcasm. Satire is gentler; sarcasm is more derisive and sneering.

Sometimes, irony can be painful because the truth it reveals is convicting. Satire, which uses irony to gently deride and prompt needful change, can be appropriate on occasion; we have examples of satire in Scripture.

As far as the painfully convicting, RedState reported on the reaction to Wilson's essay.

"The Heretics Are Upset"

You may have never heard of Andrew Wilson, but you should. He is a theologian in the United Kingdom and has done a marvelous job repackaging so much of the heresy of the modern age in this very brilliant post. In fact, a bunch of “Christians” who’ve declared 2000 years of church orthodoxy wrong and themselves right are screaming like stuck pigs. It is a strong indication that Andrew Wilson is right over the appropriate target.