Posted by Aidan Meller 10th 2007 October
Categories: Life and faith issues, Uncategorized
I recently saw some new artwork that was “humourous”. The picture was a photo of a “Christian” - that is sandles and socks, untrendy cardigan, glasses and beard playing guitar with scary smile. The quote underneath was “Witnessing for the Lord.” It was funny, the smile really did make the person a “Jesus freak”. Obviously the artist was poking fun at Christians, but is clearly for a Christian market as it was addressing some of the bad stereotypes in the Christian community. The artist was a Christian. My question is:
Should we have sarcasm in Christianity?
Do we think this image is funny?
Does it make us think about how we come across, and how we are dishonouring God by the lack of care for our physical appearance?
Is making fun dishonouring the Christian community, even dishonouring God?……Or Honouring God by making us pay attention to how we are perceived by others?
Aidan
November 4th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
I have been pondering this one for a while. I think it is important to be able to laugh at yourself, both individually and collectively. Of course, I have no scriptural reference for that! I just know that Christians, as a whole, laugh more than any other people I know. Photos such as the one mentioned above can help us to see ourselves from a new perspective and thus have a better understanding of how our actions and behaviour might be misunderstood.
November 22nd, 2007 at 7:07 pm
I totally agree with your comments Sue after all jesus must have had a sence of humour (ever heard the camel through the eye of a needle quote!!!)
December 5th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
What was the first joke in the bible. The first car mentioned in the bible was when Moses burned up the desert in his triumph. Or was that just a dad joke? What does it mean to be made in the image of God? Does this include humour? I love the South African series Matthews gospel - for its humour. Particularly as Jesus picks up a great log and jokes as he tells the saying about the speck in the brothers eye, and Jesus and the disciples end up in mirth together, as community bonded by the teaching. Incidentally was this sarcasm? As a teacher I know sarcasm is the lowest form of humour and a definite no no in a Christian teachers arsenal but humour does not have to be at other peoples expense. I know the cartoon you are referring to and I don’t think it classifies as sarcasm. Jesus was happy to stereotype the Sadducee’s - why because they were sad u see. We need more Christain comics - visual and live. One thing is sure at Blackstump (Australian version of Greenbelt) the comedians drew full houses - why? Because as humans we all need a good laugh. It is God’s remedy for a bad day. Heard a baby laugh? Its infectious. There is a God joke in scripture - you need to go to the Hebrew but when Elijah is giving it to the Prophets of Baal he asks where is your god , gone for a break. (Read on the Toilet- or in Good Aussie slang - Having a leak in the Dunny mate?) Good question - now is that sarcasm?