The Pony Who Eats Rainbows and Poops Butterflies
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Katie | Horton Hears a Who
This post is dedicated to my friend Benjamin Cook. Better known as BJ.
BJ is young. Intelligent. And feisty.
About 10 days ago BJ jumped in a frenzy over my post on Osteen.
In that post I pointed out 6 things you’ll never hear out of Osteen’s mouth.
In a nutshell, BJ complained that Christians tend to treat Christianity at extremes.
Either rigid or fluffy.
I’ll confess: I have a rigid streak in me. I like God’s wrath. Notions of hell. Essays on judgment and our wretchedness.
Probably too much.
That’s why I refer to myself as a curmudgeon. And every thing I write the doctrine of a crank.
But, as BJ pointed out, there’s the other side. The warm and fuzzy side. Which I have a big problem with.
Introducing Katie’s Doctrine
Who is Katie? I wish it were easy to explain.
First off, I’m not even really sure what Katie is. All I know is she’s adorable. Fluffy. And bizarre.
But what I like best about Katie is that in the movie Horton Hears a Who she says one of the most memorable and funniest lines ever:
“In my world everyone’s a pony and they all eat rainbows and poop butterflies.”
That’s the doctrine of Katie.
Why I Need People Like BJ
This doctrine shares space with what John Piper refers to as the doctrine of the domestic butler: prayer is an intercom where we can call up God and ask Him to bring us a pillow and to turn the heat up.
That means Katie shares space with Osteen. The Copelands. Anyone who over-emphasizes or flat out distorts the blessings God’s promised us.
The true gospel doesn’t deny sin, suffering or death. But neither does it refer to it exclusively.
So that’s why people like BJ are essential–they balance me out–by pointing through the fog of an Osteen ministry to the essential, biblical truths that underlie it.
In other words, BJ helps me to throw the bath water out. And not the baby.
What Do You Think?
First, do you know what kind of creature Katie is? Are you a Facebook fan of Katie? [I am.]
Do you find yourself leaning toward one theological extreme or the other? Can you recommend some writers, preachers or scholars you think are balanced? If so, tell me why you think they’re balanced.
No related posts.
17 Comments to The Pony Who Eats Rainbows and Poops Butterflies
Loved this article – you are my new hero.
Demian FarnworthFebruary 2, 2009
Nathan: Stop it. You’re making me blush. 
Demian,
I appreciate the fact that you know yourself so well! I too have wrestled with the fact that most truth is held in tension, that both extremes tend to balance each other out and reality lies somewhere in the middle, much like a muscle attached with tendons at both ends pulling on each other in opposite directions, without which limbs wouldn’t function.
Because of Christ’s sacrifice, a broken and weak body has become our defining image of transcendent beauty.
Brokenness, pain, suffering and blood is now the source of beauty, goodness and truth.
Understanding God’s wrath only makes His love and mercy that much more meaningful.
I guess the goal is to live somewhere in between Katie and the crank, pooping a blend of bullets and butterflies.
Demian FarnworthFebruary 2, 2009
Richard: “I guess the goal is to live somewhere in between Katie and the crank, pooping a blend of bullets and butterflies.”
That’s why I love your input. You bring a profound and wise angle to this discussion. You level the truth out for this student. Please don’t stop contributing.
Thank you! If you keep developing these wonderful,thought provoking posts, I’ll keep adding my two-cents!
Angie FarnworthFebruary 3, 2009
Wow. BJ just said in one comment what I have been trying to say for twelve years. Huh.
Seriously, you asked for a balanced teacher? I think there are lots of them, but one who comes to mind right now is Beth Moore. I know. She’s supposed to be a chick’s teacher. But she’s balanced, studies like crazy, and *yikes* even knows her theology. You might get lots of people disagreeing here, but the Bible studies I’ve taken from her have been meaty and thought-provoking and I always leave them changed. Hopefully, becoming more like Christ.
I think balance is something that pleases the Lord. Not that we will ever be able to fathom Him with our finite minds, but getting glimpses of many sides of the spectrum that makes up the Godhead is an awesome thing, indeed.
Seriously. Your writing style is awesome. Any books soon?
Demian FarnworthFebruary 3, 2009
Richard: Okay, you are now my new content barometer…
Angie: I think you convinced me to check out Beth Moore. Ever read Kay Arhtur? I’ve got one of her books on my shelf. I’ll share with you.
Nathan: No books yet. For the time being, this blog is my book. [Dude, seriously...I really appreciate your comment. It's a blogger's dream comment. Thank you.]
Demian, this is my favorite post EVER!
I’ve never seen the Horton movie but my friends made me watch the YouTube clip that compiled all her scenes. Hilarious!
In any case, I tend to meander back and forth between the bullets and the butterflies. However, I often find that God reminds me about the other side of the coin if I spend much time at either extreme.
Demian, if you have trouble finding balanced authors, you could always alternate the books you read based on their leanings 
Oh, and just to be clear yes, any post mentioning me automatically qualifies as the best ever.
Demian FarnworthFebruary 4, 2009
Ben: I was wondering when you were going to notice.
Christopher LakeFebruary 6, 2009
On the subject of Hell and enjoying the thought of God’s wrath– though I don’t think that John Stott’s “annihilationist” view is Biblically well supported, I agree with him somewhat here: “Anytime a Christian talks about Hell, he should do so with tears in his eyes.”
Christopher: Well said. Very well said.
February 16, 2009
[...] I think it’s safe to say Orin’s maladjusted and borderline insane. And exactly the opposite of Katie. [...]
JeneyJanuary 1, 2010
I have only recently been introduced to Kay Arthur and Beth Moore, having previously only heard *of* them. I especially liked Kay Arthur, as A) I heard more of her messages, so more = better, and B) I appreciate the fact that she didn’t try to find the easy words to describe hard things. If it’s a sin, don’t call it “an issue”. For example.
Demian FarnworthJanuary 1, 2010
Jeney, I’ve read Kay’s Bible study book…loved it and learned a lot from it…mimic it quite well. 
JeneyJanuary 1, 2010
Not only have I heard of her bible study method, but I own her Inductive Study Bible. It is my first grown-up bible. However, I can’t get it together enough to follow her method completely.
Please see previous comment, re: Childhood pot usage.
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February 2, 2009