90 & 9 Article

For those who have been confused by the comments left on my Chaplains For Preachers post, I wrote a companion piece on 90 & 9, but instead of writing a straight-forward article, I used satire: "a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule." I have gotten some very interesting responses from folks who have never been exposed to satire. Instead of carrying on a lengthy discussion via the comments section, I'll address them here.

First, I want to thank those went to the trouble to write. I have read and appreciate each comment. If any of you come back to read this, visit my website and look over the books offered there. I'll send you one - free. You don't have to identify which position you took in our little discussion. Just tell me which book you want and give me a shipping address. And don't worry. None of the four listed there use satire.

Now, back to the 90 & 9 article.

Do we toss out writing techniques just because some folks aren't comfortable with them? No. They are all essential to effective communication. I understand that certain elements appeal to different audiences, but if people aren't familiar with them, we need to educate them.

How can anyone understand the Bible if they are not familiar with figures of speech and methods of literary expression? If you know nothing about Point of View, for instance, how do you teach from the book of Job? How do you explain Jesus saying that we should hate our parents (Luke 14), or Amos calling women cows (Amos 4)? If this generation doesn't understand figures of speech, how do you explain to them that when the Bible says "you will go to your fathers" it means you will die - not go home for the holidays?

As for satire, Paul may have used a little himself in Galatians 5:11-12. Elijah used elements of it when he taunted the prophets of Baal. So let me use my little piece, though poorly written it may be, to discuss the basics of satire.

1. When the message you are getting is opposed to what you know the source (in this case, 90&9) believes, the messenger is probably being sarcastic or using satire. I think I am correct in assuming that 90 & 9, while encouraging open expression, does not engage in people bashing.

2. When the title is a lie ("It Doesn't Happen Here!"), look out! The author may be using satire.

3. When the first line of the article is "It's good to see you all again" realize that the writer is creating a setting. He is transporting you to another place. That is a big clue that he wants to show you something.

4. When the writer uses abnormal expressions like "thankfully, we still had time to get together and kick him around a bit," he is probably giving you an important hint.

5. When he makes absurd comparisons, such as "(these preachers) are all alike. Start a church in their basement, work hard at it for years, build the weekly attendance up above 10,000..." there is a real good chance that the author is trying to illustrate how ridiculous some critics can be. (Do you know any preacher, other than Ted Haggard, who started a church in his basement and grew it to a congregation of more than 10,000?)

6. When the writer tosses in something that doesn't fit, such as "We've got to keep our shoulders back, faces grim, suits black, and lips stiff," a caution light should begin to flash.

7. When concluding the article, if the author says "I hate to leave so soon," he is probably reminding you that you have been transported from this real world into a make-believe one and that the journey is ending and you are about to be booted out of the travel machine.

There are a few more clues we could consider, but you didn't sign up for an english composition lecture and I'm not John Grisham.

I understand that the letters section of 90&9 will be interesting come next Monday.

Does anybody remember what we were talking about?