One evening Father Alazon Lecher appears on a popular talk show to announce that he has received a series of revelations. Several God-sent angels, he says, instructed him to find and translate a set of twelve scrolls, then choose four disciples to help him interpret these scriptures—the Bear Lake Scrolls—and establish the Church of the Comic Spirit. The Scrolls, which Lecher claims were the original versions of some famous Bible stories, form the centerpiece of this novel. Each of the twelve tales has a distinct plot, style, and characters, who are cast in the roles of rogues, buffoons, fools, and schlemiels. God is often the central character, though his role and traits change from story to story. The teachings of the church are set forth in a short catechism consisting of answers to FAQs, e.g.: Whether God exists or whether someone has been posing as God? Whether sin is an art form? Whether women are smarter than men? Whether irreverence is the highest virtue? Whether laughter is the way to salvation? How many angels can dance on the edge of a hot tub? ​