Even though the Bible is the Word of God, I never thought of it being humorous. After reading through Hyer’s writings, I realize that God’s humor is not only present in everyday life, but it is in the Bible as well. I personally believe that God has a great sense of humor and some of it is represented in His creation. Man was made in his image. We have the ability to laugh and the ability to find humor in many situations. Sometimes the situations aren’t appropriate, but that is where our imperfections lie. Hyers states that “the Bible uses comic devises and themes to present a kind of divine comedy. The whole range of the comic-from gentle humor to biting satire- is employed. To appreciate this is to receive the gift of laughter and share in the humor of God.” A man was out hunting and came upon a bear. He shot at the bear but only nicked him. The bear went after the hunter and chased him some distance through the woods. Finally the man came to the edge of a cliff, and had no where else to run. As he watched the bear approach, he began to pray. “Dear God give this bear a touch of religion.” Suddenly the bear came to an abrupt stop, looked up to Heaven, and said “thank you Lord for this food which I am about to eat.”
It is so refreshing to read Hyers argument that God has a sense of humor. For so many years I have seen God presented as pious and holy, which He certainly is, but to present God as someone we can laugh with is rare. This is because, as Hyers states, "Laughter seems at the furthest reomve from piety and faith while humor seems to imply a failure to take religion with a proper seriousness." I agree with Hyers when he says "Laughter is an expression of both of enjoyment and thanksgiving." There are so many aspects of life that are challenging, frustrating, depressing and serious that if there was no relief of the tension, would we be much different than the animals? Laughter is something that is uniquely human and separates us from the animals. As a father of four adult children and numerous grandchildren, I have witnessed the initial smile of infants which Hyres calls the "first specifically human response." It is, at that point, when I have felt a closer connection to my child/grandchild. I did not realize it then, but maybe it did have something to do with "looking into the face of God." It is an indescribable feeling of love that can only come from God because God is love (1 John 4:8). I see laughter, in its proper context, as an expression of love from God because He knows about our struggles and knows we need an outlet from them. I hope to be able to recogize those outlets as we study His word.
As I read my classmates’ comments, I immediately thought of my first class on serving communion. I was taught that it is irreverent to smile or laugh while serving communion. Unfortunately for me, not all my close friends in the church attended this class. So when I am serving communion they smile with me and say hi. What am I supposed to do?
In “The Humor of God” Conrad Heyer showed that God indeed has a sense of humor. He laughs. Heyer argued that God created us in His image and likeness and He created us with gift of laughter. Therefore he also laughs. I can see Him laughing at the end of each day of creation as He assesses His handy-work and asserts it is good. Could it be anything else but good? It was as if he was almost patting Himself on his back.
Heyer also presented as case for God as a comedian. He has done many things to make us laugh. The story of Abraham and Sarah is a perfect example of how God makes us to laugh. Not only did Abraham and Sarah fall out laughing when they were told that they would have a child in their old age but I can imagine Abraham asking God, Are you kidding me?” I can also imagine Moses asking God the same question when He asked him to tell Pharaoh to free the children of Israel.
It is these moments in our lives that make it all worth it. These pleasant surprises we call miracles. I remember as I child I desperately wanted to go to a high school event but my parents did not have the money to send me. I went to my room and prayed to God. I fell asleep like I usually do when I prayed. In a few hours I woke up to find $50 on my pillow. At that age I was willing to believe that the money fell out of the sky. I was happy and I was laughing all the way to the event. God answered my prayer.
Later on my mother told me that it was actually my uncle who came by and left the money on my pillow. As far as I am concerned this is still a miracle nonetheless.
The Humor of God There are quite a few stories in the Old Testament that I thought were funny. For instant, Abraham and Sarah bearing a child in their old age; the fact that God had promised them a child and they decided to help God by producing a surrogate for Sarah. Now, that was funny. How can you help God? However, I did not laugh out loud, because you are not supposed to laugh at the words of God. Now that I am reading Conrad Hyers chapter on 'The Humor of God" I can see the laughter and the seriousness of God at the same time.
Condrad Hyers’ chapter on the humor of God confirmed what has always been in my spirit. I have always been a person that loves to laugh. I thank God that he didn’t make us as the baboons that grow to be the epitome of seriousness, losing their youthful playfulness. Proverbs 17:22 tells us that laughter is like a medicine. Allow this analogy. It is like milk, it does the body good. I have trouble associating with people who are stiff, hardnosed, no-nonsense beings, especially if they name the name of Christ. Yes, God’s Word is holy. It is quite serious in nature. However, God’s Word will make you laugh at times. Yet, simultaneously, the same Word will drive a message straight into your spirit; a message of love, grace, correction or other needed life lesson. One of my best chuckles in the Old Testament is found in 1 Kings 18:21-40. In the text Elijah challenges the 450 prophets of Baal to have their God consume their sacrifice. When the sacrifice is not consumed, Elijah taunts them throughout the day. I can picture him laying out in the shade with his boys drinking lemonade and prodding the prophets with comment like “Call him louder! He must be asleep!! Maybe he went on vacation!” In the meanwhile the prophets are trying desperately to save face as they cry “O Baal, hear us!” Elijah is hysterical with laughter as the prophets cry louder, and begin to cut themselves in desperation. Elijah adds insult to injury when he has his own sacrifice to the Lord drenched in water, not once, not twice, but three times! He spoke a word, and the sacrifice and excess water, and the altar including rocks were all consumed. Hilarious! Yet, the message couldn’t be more powerful; choose ye this day whom you will serve!!
I used to wonder why many of my preachments would be sprinkled with humor. I thought it was just the style the Lord gave me. But now I see that I’m simply made in God’s image. And His image includes humor. Thank God for laughter!!
Even though the Bible is the Word of God, I never thought of it being humorous. After reading through Hyer’s writings, I realize that God’s humor is not only present in everyday life, but it is in the Bible as well. I personally believe that God has a great sense of humor and some of it is represented in His creation. Man was made in his image. We have the ability to laugh and the ability to find humor in many situations. Sometimes the situations aren’t appropriate, but that is where our imperfections lie.
ReplyDeleteHyers states that “the Bible uses comic devises and themes to present a kind of divine comedy. The whole range of the comic-from gentle humor to biting satire- is employed. To appreciate this is to receive the gift of laughter and share in the humor of God.”
A man was out hunting and came upon a bear. He shot at the bear but only nicked him. The bear went after the hunter and chased him some distance through the woods. Finally the man came to the edge of a cliff, and had no where else to run. As he watched the bear approach, he began to pray. “Dear God give this bear a touch of religion.” Suddenly the bear came to an abrupt stop, looked up to Heaven, and said “thank you Lord for this food which I am about to eat.”
Couldn't resist. :)
ReplyDeleteI see this as part of the humor that we are starting to learn about in God! Don't try to resist...unless it is diabolical (that is).
ReplyDeleteIt is so refreshing to read Hyers argument that God has a sense of humor. For so many years I have seen God presented as pious and holy, which He certainly is, but to present God as someone we can laugh with is rare. This is because, as Hyers states, "Laughter seems at the furthest reomve from piety and faith while humor seems to imply a failure to take religion with a proper seriousness." I agree with Hyers when he says "Laughter is an expression of both of enjoyment and thanksgiving." There are so many aspects of life that are challenging, frustrating, depressing and serious that if there was no relief of the tension, would we be much different than the animals?
ReplyDeleteLaughter is something that is uniquely human and separates us from the animals. As a father of four adult children and numerous grandchildren, I have witnessed the initial smile of infants which Hyres calls the "first specifically human response." It is, at that point, when I have felt a closer connection to my child/grandchild. I did not realize it then, but maybe it did have something to do with "looking into the face of God." It is an indescribable feeling of love that can only come from God because God is love (1 John 4:8). I see laughter, in its proper context, as an expression of love from God because He knows about our struggles and knows we need an outlet from them. I hope to be able to recogize those outlets as we study His word.
God Laughs and He is Funny.
ReplyDeleteAs I read my classmates’ comments, I immediately thought of my first class on serving communion. I was taught that it is irreverent to smile or laugh while serving communion. Unfortunately for me, not all my close friends in the church attended this class. So when I am serving communion they smile with me and say hi. What am I supposed to do?
In “The Humor of God” Conrad Heyer showed that God indeed has a sense of humor. He laughs. Heyer argued that God created us in His image and likeness and He created us with gift of laughter. Therefore he also laughs. I can see Him laughing at the end of each day of creation as He assesses His handy-work and asserts it is good. Could it be anything else but good? It was as if he was almost patting Himself on his back.
Heyer also presented as case for God as a comedian. He has done many things to make us laugh. The story of Abraham and Sarah is a perfect example of how God makes us to laugh. Not only did Abraham and Sarah fall out laughing when they were told that they would have a child in their old age but I can imagine Abraham asking God, Are you kidding me?” I can also imagine Moses asking God the same question when He asked him to tell Pharaoh to free the children of Israel.
It is these moments in our lives that make it all worth it. These pleasant surprises we call miracles. I remember as I child I desperately wanted to go to a high school event but my parents did not have the money to send me. I went to my room and prayed to God. I fell asleep like I usually do when I prayed. In a few hours I woke up to find $50 on my pillow. At that age I was willing to believe that the money fell out of the sky. I was happy and I was laughing all the way to the event. God answered my prayer.
Later on my mother told me that it was actually my uncle who came by and left the money on my pillow. As far as I am concerned this is still a miracle nonetheless.
The Humor of God
ReplyDeleteThere are quite a few stories in the Old Testament that I thought were funny. For instant, Abraham and Sarah bearing a child in their old age; the fact that God had promised them a child and they decided to help God by producing a surrogate for Sarah. Now, that was funny. How can you help God? However, I did not laugh out loud, because you are not supposed to laugh at the words of God. Now that I am reading Conrad Hyers chapter on 'The Humor of God" I can see the laughter and the seriousness of God at the same time.
Condrad Hyers’ chapter on the humor of God confirmed what has always been in my spirit. I have always been a person that loves to laugh. I thank God that he didn’t make us as the baboons that grow to be the epitome of seriousness, losing their youthful playfulness. Proverbs 17:22 tells us that laughter is like a medicine. Allow this analogy. It is like milk, it does the body good. I have trouble associating with people who are stiff, hardnosed, no-nonsense beings, especially if they name the name of Christ. Yes, God’s Word is holy. It is quite serious in nature. However, God’s Word will make you laugh at times. Yet, simultaneously, the same Word will drive a message straight into your spirit; a message of love, grace, correction or other needed life lesson. One of my best chuckles in the Old Testament is found in 1 Kings 18:21-40. In the text Elijah challenges the 450 prophets of Baal to have their God consume their sacrifice. When the sacrifice is not consumed, Elijah taunts them throughout the day. I can picture him laying out in the shade with his boys drinking lemonade and prodding the prophets with comment like “Call him louder! He must be asleep!! Maybe he went on vacation!” In the meanwhile the prophets are trying desperately to save face as they cry “O Baal, hear us!” Elijah is hysterical with laughter as the prophets cry louder, and begin to cut themselves in desperation. Elijah adds insult to injury when he has his own sacrifice to the Lord drenched in water, not once, not twice, but three times! He spoke a word, and the sacrifice and excess water, and the altar including rocks were all consumed. Hilarious! Yet, the message couldn’t be more powerful; choose ye this day whom you will serve!!
ReplyDeleteI used to wonder why many of my preachments would be sprinkled with humor. I thought it was just the style the Lord gave me. But now I see that I’m simply made in God’s image. And His image includes humor. Thank God for laughter!!