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?
**
Review
"Before I dipped into this novel, I was told it was a satire. What satire? Reading this made me squirm." --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)
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.
Description:
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?
**
Review
"Before I dipped into this novel, I was told it was a satire. What satire? Reading this made me squirm." --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)
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.