Samson and the Pirate Monks: Calling Men into Authentic Brotherhood

I finished Nate Larkin's Samson and the Pirate Monks over the weekend. I read it over the course of a month or so. At first I didn't like Larkin's writing style; it almost seemed too conversational. The more I read it though, the more I embraced the style and enjoyed the substance. Larkin is writing as his true self, not in a way to attract and garner attention and praise. Although we probably would approach things differently I think we line up on this: the Church is failing men (not only men, but that is the focus of this particular book). It likes to put them in programs where they look handsome and successful. However, like so many other programs, these programs lack any substance. Surface presentations fall apart, and eventually people get caught.

Larkin presented himself quite well while deceiving a lot of people. Eventually the wheels fell off. He had to rebuild. What I particularly enjoyed about his story was simply this - he acknowledges that he started the journey with bad motives. I love it. He did what he did to get his wife back, not because it was the good, Christian thing to do. With bad motives he failed and floundered. He eventually found a place where he could meet with God and that made the real change

Since leaving behind the games of so many others, Larkin has found a place to minister out of his authentic self. That ministry has in turn changed the lives of other men. And that is what the Pirate Monks are all about: genuine male friendship and comradery. Larkin has surrounded himself with men and women that can speak into his life. He has not created the next big idea that is just a way to pad his pockets. Sure…he can sell some books, but so can any other member of the Samson Society. It’s a true society and not a one-man show.


I was encouraged that Larkin and his merry bandits understand that what they have is not a substitute for a church program. In fact, churches would probably water down and change the substance of Samson as it would not meet the needs of a church’s goals. In fact, we don’t go to church for authentic relationship anyway, right? Of course that is a stinging allegation, but in today’s society it is a critique that the Church must deal with. Many come to church not for authentic relationship and change through intimate relationship. They come to the country club; they come to be seen. Little do they know that places like the Samson Society provide avenues for them to be truly seen…as they really are, not as they present. And I think that is why these pirates understand that what they do and have is not something that can be bottled up inside the confines of a business institution like the Church. It is pretty refreshing to hear them admit as much. So…overall – good read.