Ask Deborah

In this book of Christian humor with a message, a Bible-times advice columnist named after the wise judge Deborah helps several familiar New Testament characters with her words of wisdom. She answers a letter from St. Joseph regarding his problems with angels and "the Emp," and advises Zebedee not to attempt to deprogram his sons that he thinks have run off with a cult leader. She recommends that Martha try to learn something positive from her sister Mary, instead of fretting about her squeaky-clean house, and chews out a financially reckless market-maker in the Jerusalem temple. In the final chapter, she advises Thomas, and also the rest of us, about dealing with doubts. Ask Deborah concludes with a chapter about the uses and misuses of Christian humor.