Review: ‘The Devil Wears Nada’ By Tripp York

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 at 10:26 am by Zack Hunt

Review: ‘The Devil Wears Nada’ By Tripp York 2012-04-16T10:26:37-06:00 Zack Hunt

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I love me some hyperbole.

Seriously, it’s like the greatest thing ever in the history of mankind times infinity.

However, there is no hyperbole intended when I say that Tripp York’s new book, The Devil Wears Nada: Satan Exposed!, is the most entertaining, yet thought provoking book I’ve read in a long time.

There’s a reason most people don’t make a B line for the theology section when they visit their local Barnes & Noble. Granted, there is often a certain level of education you need to read some of the “heftier” theology books, but more often than not the theology books that intended are for a general audience are anything but engaging. You certainly have a few that rise to the top (most of which are written by NT Wright), but most languish on the shelves because, good though their theology may be, they’re simply not accessible or engaging to the average reader.

In The Devil Wears Nada, Tripp York flips this reality on its head, giving the reader a book that is simultaneously hilarious and seriously thought provoking as it forces the reader to reexamine one of the Church’s most widely held beliefs: the existence of the devil.

Most of us take for granted the existence of Satan, Beelzebulb, or (my new favorite demonic name thanks to Tripp York) Old Horny. Since we believe in a good and loving God and the Bible mentions the devil a few times, we assume there must, therefore, also be a personification of evil. Namely, the devil.

With this ontological assumption in place, York reckons that since proving the existence of God has been so difficult over the years, perhaps we could prove God’s existence by proving the existence of his ontological antithesis: Satan.

While this premise seems a bit absurd, and is certainly a bit tongue in cheek, what ensues is a fascinating exploration into the Church’s preoccupation with the Prince of Darkness. We may claim “it’s all about Jesus”, but as York deftly demonstrates through countless interviews with authorities across the religious spectrum, we talk just as much about Satan as we do Jesus….if not more so.

We blame the devil for everything from the Holocaust to a CD skipping during Sunday worship (great story in the book) and everything in between. Satan, it seems, is even more active and present in the world than God. Therefore, for many of us, the heart of the Christian faith is not so much about feeding the hungry, taking care of the poor, or defending the oppressed as it is about battling demonic forces that are out to devour our souls.

York’s analysis of this unhealthy obsession reveals a Church who’s faith has evolved into something more pagan or Gnostic than the orthodox Christianity we claim to hold so dear. In doing so, York ultimately offers an alternative approach to dealing with the devil and the problem of evil that is much more in line with the witness of scripture.

How does he get there?

Well, as this is a book dealing with the occult, York brews together a powerful spell using a healthy dose of Stanley Hauerwas, more than a few drops of witty sarcasm, and a smattering of John Milbank, all combined with a keen intellect and several foot in mouth interviews, which he finally wraps up in a midnight at the crossroads pact with the devil.

Seriously.

You need to read this book.

It is true that I may be a bit biased since, as I discovered in the first chapter, we grew up in the same denomination and graduated from the same school (at different times). But for my money, if you’re looking for new book to read that will have you laughing as often as it will have you reexamining some of your most basic assumptions about the faith, then The Devil Wears Nada is the book for you.

Finally, since I know you’re wondering if Tripp actually does end up proving the existence of Satan and therefore also the existence of God, I’ll tell you.

At the very end of the book he……

Just kidding.

Go buy the book!

A sincere word of thanks to Tripp for sending me over a copy of his book to review. It was a pleasure reading it and I genuinely look forward to reading whatever he publishes next.

Grace and peace,

Zack Hunt

Uncategorized

Previous Post

April 13, 2012

'Crock-O-Duck' Disproves Evolution?

Next Post

April 17, 2012 Pulling A Fast One Over On Jesus

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Review Classifieds Commentary Fundie Friday Funny Pictures Music Video News Prophecy Technology Televangelist Throwback Thursday Tract Tuesday Tracts Uncategorized Videos

Select a Month June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 June 2018 May 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 September 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz