FlashbangAuthor Mark Steele makes all the right moves in his efforts to be a ‘good Christian’ but his efforts are nothing more than a flashbang: something that makes a lot of noise but leaves no lasting impression. He embarks on a hilarious journey to ‘get over himself’, lurching from disaster to disaster but somehow managing a few God-given epiphanies in between. His search for authenticity is one learned through hindsight as he shares the spiritual lessons learned from shock therapy, emergency surgery, sudden paralysis, violent acts of nature, and – quite often – abject public embarrassment and humiliation.

Flashbang is without question the funniest Christian book I have ever read. In between side-splitting guffaws and asides to the family (“listen to this bit!”) I was cringing as I read anecdote after anecdote from quite possibly the most accident and disaster prone man in the entire world. Seriously! In one misadventure Steele lost so much blood on a trip to Mexico that I was surprised he made it back without a transfusion. In between being attacked by ‘carnies’ and demon-possessed hamsters the author manages to share some spiritual insights concerning authentic Christianity that make a resounding impact – perhaps more so because they are the counterbalance to so much levity. Steele’s writing style is fresh and different, as well as funny, flipping back and forth through time and a dialogue that appears to be with God, himself or both….and all without skipping a beat. I was so impressed by Flashbang that I intend to purchase all available copies at my local Christian bookstore and share them among my friends – with instructions for them to do the same. If you’re longing to leave ‘teethmarks for Christ’ AND laugh yourself silly, then this is the book for you. Despite what the author did to the country of Romania. Don’t ask. Just read.

Reviewed by Rachel Koopmans