The Lower Calling

by on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 · 10 Comments 

Filed under Amish Jihad!, Jive Turkeys, The Devil Wears Nada

I was recently interviewed by Glynn Young who blogs for the rather highly ‘trafficked’ (is that the right word?), The High Calling.

You have to admit, it’s quite the lofty name for a website. I feel like it should be in all caps, italicized, in red, and with an exclamation mark to boot. Let’s try it:

THE HIGH CALLING!

That’s how I imagine God says it anyway.

THE HIGH CALLING!

“I know your games, B.”

Well, long story short, Glynn interviewed me, ran it by what I imagine to be the respectably religious folks at THE HIGH CALLING! and they shot it down. Apparently, they found it quite offensive.

Oh, to be pious again.

To be honest, I thought it was one of the least-interesting interviews I’ve ever given. Yet, the good folks at THE HIGH CALLING! found it too irreverent for their site. As I assume they are much closer to God than I am, I’ll defer to their authority on what constitutes proper reverence (though, I would enjoy having a conversation about what they found to be so theologically problematic).

Glynn, being the gentleman that he is, decided to post the interview on his own blog, Faith, Fiction, Friends. Here’s my not-so-terribly-scandalous-interview-at-all. Seriously, don’t go into this with eminent expectations of some grandiose controversy to follow. But do check it out, leave a funny comment or two on Glynn’s site, and then come back here and let me know where you think I went wrong.

By the way, many wondrous thanks to Mr. Young for running the interview. Glynn, I want you to know that in my father’s house there are many rooms, and if this were not true, I would tell you. I’m going there to prepare a room for you. It’s just above the garage. There’s a pool table in it. I’ll sneak you in some beer. Don’t tell THE HIGH CALLING! as I imagine they would find my paraphrasing of John 14:2 (and the consumption of beer) to be evil. But it’s true. Except, my dad doesn’t have a garage . . . or a pool table. So, I’ll just bring the beer. Domestic beer. None of that fancy-schmancy stuff. I’m a salt of the earth kind of guy. You know, I don’t always drink beer, but when I do, it’s Michelob Light.

It’s Michelob Light.

 

 

 

Tagged with , , , ,

  • http://www.thedescribe.wordpress.com/ David Driedger

    You forgot to caps, italicize, and red the second IT”S MICHELOB LIGHT!

    • theamishjihadist

      David,

      As always, you are correct, sir. It shall never happen again.

  • http://www.missional.ca/ Jamie Arpin-Ricci

    I’ll tell you where you went wrong, you reckless extremist! You had a… I can’t say it.  What it children are reading this?  Ok, fine.  You have a sense of humour! (or humor for those living in Canada’s pants).

  • Norm Dyck

    Gotta feel sorry for Glynn Young. Having to write some of the fluff one finds at THE HIGH CALLING! must feel a bit like the warmth emanating from Sheol. 

    • theamishjihadist

      Good point, Norm. I’ve often wondered if it’s self-inflicted or if this is an exemplary case of what Moliere meant by his comment that ‘writing is a form of prostitution’. If so, sometimes, you just gotta say ‘no’ to Sheol. Unless the money is really good.

  • Dave_the_Zoo_Advocate

    Where did you go wrong?? I’m thinking a seriously funny, clever and persuasive Christian interlocutor, such as your-very-own-self, is seriously unfunny, provocative and blasphemous from the point of view of righteous Christian pretenders; ergo, in the paraphrased words of Seinfeld’s intolerant “Soup Nazi,” “No published interview for you!”
    Dr. York, your interview with Glynn Young
    http://faithfictionfriends.blogspot.com/2012/06/interview-with-tripp-york.html
    is thought-provoking and super funny. BUT, if I may be so bold as to, you know, challenge a distinguished professor of religious studies on a religion issue …ahem, I think Jesus is actually ok with “Love your enemies (except when your nation-state tells you to kill them).” A compelling contemporary example is Christian-Soldier-President Obama’s frequent orders to kill terrorists using high-tech drone-launched missiles. In closing, I always drink beer, and when I do, the brand doesn’t’ matter when you are buying.

    • theamishjihadist

      You, my friend, you are a clever one. The shout-out to Obama’s ‘oh so progressive and liberal’ practices in terms of killing is nothing if not spot on.

  • http://www.profligategrace.com/ Kara

    Well, heaven knows that Christianity has nothing to do with anything “offensive.” 

    Oh, wait…

  • http://faithfictionfriends.blogspot.com/ Glynn

    Well, actually, the folks at The High Calling have been known to enjoy a glass of wine or two, and even a beer. I’m not sure about Michelob Lite, though. And thanks for the room above the garage. I have always had this dream of having a writing space above a garage. With or without a pool table.

    • theamishjihadist

      Glynn,

      That’s good to know. My faith in your posse has been, at least, partially restored–assuming it’s not Guinness they drink–if so, they’re back out on the pagan streets!