Dead Guys Only

What I can't stand about young writers & authors

In coming hot take:

Back in 2020, like most of us, I dove headlong into something new or slightly different. A new hobby or a skill or a new passion was kind of the trademark thing of being stuck at home back then.

For me, I found myself really starting to get into theology.

This 6 month process took on a brand new disposition when I somewhat rashly decided it was time to go back to school and get a masters degree. So I enrolled online to get a theology degree, and I’ve bored many people to death ever since.

But - in that time (from 2020 - 2021), I had a rule of thumb I followed with my reading: dead guys only.

What became apparent to me really quickly while trying to get my grips on theology was how insufferable the modern day Christian authors can be.

Ok - not everyone - but I read a stack of “academic” pastor’s books and young restless and reformed guys, and prior to this year was already way too familiar with the Judah Smiths, Rich Wilkersons, sermon style-self-help-encouragement material that I decided… you know what. I’ll read dead guys only.

It was a really simple rule: if they’re dead, I’m allowed to read it. If there not, I’m not.

Here’s my bone to pick with the young guys…