cover image Anointed: The Passion of Timmy Christ, CEO

Anointed: The Passion of Timmy Christ, CEO

Zachary Steele, . . Mercury Retrograde, $16.95 (340pp) ISBN 978-0-9816654-2-9

Steele's biting satire takes on megachurches and their murky brew of faith and business. Nagged by his wife into interviewing for the CEO spot of a 2,000-year-old religious corporation, Timothy Webb becomes Timmy Christ despite himself. He's shocked to learn that his primary responsibilities are to profits and image rather than his followers' genuine needs. After a slapstick start, a scheming Judas, a protective, repentant Satan and a murderous Anti-Christ show up to deepen the tale. Timmy soon discovers that battling supernatural evil is only slightly more difficult than challenging the legal labyrinths of the Christ Corporation Council. Those who endure the initial over-the-top chapters will enjoy the notion of a Christ CEO wanting to be Christ-like, presented in a mix of raucous fun and deep questions. (Mar.)