1. Why did you start a Twitter account?
A. I’ve been in ministry almost 19 years. I’ve been sarcastic my whole life. The majesty of social media finally allowed people under my ministry to see how sarcastic and satirical I like to be. But I discovered that the average Xian doesn’t want their minister to be satirical and sarcastic—they don’t know how to interpret/understand it. This is not true for the average Twitter user, where users seem to expect a certain level of snark and sarcasm from people, especially from Anon accounts. Becoming The Xian Satirist was the perfect way for me to vent my snarkier side without alienating those I was trying to reach in a pastoral setting.
2. What has been your favorite Twitter interaction so far?
A. I’m not sure if I have a single favorite interaction. I think that some of my favorite tweeps are those who have been there from the beginning with me, before I even had a couple hundred followers. There are about 20-30 that I’ve grown fond of over the last few years.
3. Who is your favorite theologian, past and present?
A. Is this a trick question? Every Xian knows that Jesus is the answer. Jesus is still the answer. Jesus is always the answer. Only Calvinists care about theologians who aren’t Jesus. Seriously, though, two of my favorites are N.T. Wright and C.S. Lewis. People who use two initials typically make the best theologians.
4. Is it easier to be who you really are as an Anon?
A. I’m comfortable being me in any situation. It’s easier for OTHERS to take me as I really am when I’m an Anon.
5. What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?
A. I’m a shy guy when I’m in a crowd of strangers. I only reveal my inner crazy when I’m comfortable and know the people I’m with.
6. What book are you reading?
I’m working through several books. The ones on my desk RIGHT NOW are The Encore Effect by Mark Sanborn and Simply Jesus by N.T. Wright.
7. What’s your favorite movie or TV show?
I love movies and TV, so picking a favorite is extremely difficult. Comedy faves have been Arrested Development, The Office, Community, and 30 Rock. Drama faves have been Law & Order and Downton Abbey. My movie faves would have to include Tombstone, Star Wars (except Episodes I-III), and Star Trek movies.
8. What is your pet peeve in church or with Christians?
A. I have a couple that tick me off. The big one is when people conflate faith and politics. It’s what caused me to create the word Americhristian. I don’t think it’s caught on yet (except with The Church Husher, he REALLY took to it), but I’m hoping. I also get frustrated with Xians who share misinformation because they refuse to spend five minutes fact-checking.
9. Why is it important to study theology?
A. Two reasons for me:
First, an infinite God can never be fully known. That means Sunday School lessons on Jesus are a fine place to start but should never be our ending place. We can always grow in our understanding of God.
Second: We are not static beings; we are quite fluid. As we move through life we grow and change and experience new things. The study of theology helps us take an unchanging God and apply him to our ever changing world.
10. After a stressful day, what’s your favorite way of relaxing?
Sitting on the couch, with a bowl of ice cream, watching TV.
11. What’s your favorite Bible verse?
Acts 4:12. It’s the verse that sets us apart from every other world religion and tells us why all roads do NOT lead to the same place. Xianity IS an exclusive faith.
- 8 Things Every Husband Needs to Do - October 22, 2019
- The Top 5 Areas of Marriage Conflict - October 16, 2018
- The Disturbing Truth About Polygamy - April 20, 2017
