Humor and the Christian Life

[jisaiah6113]

Hey guys. Thank you for your responses. I think I have resolved this question to my satisfaction. I did do a "word study" (I think that is what it's called) and clearly the word "coarse jesting" refers to abusive and vulgar language. It can mean pleasantries and humor, but it's obvious that those things are not sin. In biblical usage, "coarse jesting" refers to speech that is either suggestive, naughty, inappropriate, slanderous, putting down other people maliciously. The word is just "jesting" in the Greek passage and "coarse jesting" seems to be an English translator trying to clarify the meaning. Obviously if he just translated it as it was, "no jesting", then there would be confusion as to whether humor was allowed at all in the Christian life. Other Greek writers used this word simply to mean humor, but in other places it is meant to mean vulgar humor. I think it's obvious what St. Paul means. The Holy Spirit also will convict you if you're hearing or laughing at jokes that clearly cross a line. That's why it seems we have a Bible to give us guidelines but we have a living relationship with a living God. He's able to apply biblical truths to our every day lives and overall the Holy Spirit's instructions are similar to that of a Christian song I've heard where the singer says, "When I come and bring to you things burnt with fire (outward sacrifices) You say "Son, keep your spirit clear. That's all that I require."

 

[NeedyFollower]

I have a simple question about laughter and humor in New Testament Christianity. I think it's an important subject, particularly for me because I'm writing a book for those who have mental illness and are Christians, and how such people can use Christian Faith to make their lives more enjoyable. A few things that are universally acknowledged to be good for human beings are laughter, camaraderie, smiling, and humor. However, the NT has this to say about joking:

Ephesians 5:3-4 New King James Version (NKJV)
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Ephesians 4:29 New International Version (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

We see here, as in the entire New Testament, that any sort of sexual immorality, defined as sex (with either gender) outside the heterosexual marriage covenant is a sin. We see the barometer for sexual behavior set by the statement that even a "hint" of sexual immorality should not exist among us, and 1 Thess 4:3-8 paints a vivid contrast between us and the "Gentiles" who do not know God and give their bodies up to lasciviousness. A case can be strongly made that "possessing your vessel in sanctification and honor" and not having a "hint" of sexual immorality would also forbid masturbation or any impure thoughts or touching of a significant other that is not a husband or wife.

We also see that coarse jesting, foolish talk, or generally any idle chatter or banter used to generate vain humor is forbidden, because it does not fall under the category of thanksgiving, edification, and building up the Body of Christ.

Jesus has this to say about the importance of our words: "by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned." (Matt 12:37)

Recently, to lighten the emotional load in my life, lived with a mental disorder and the need to support myself by paying my own rent in my own apartment, living alone, and trying to live out the command of Jesus to avoid sexual immorality, I obtained a book of Jewish jokes to relieve some psychological pressure. I love to laugh. I figure, if I'm not allowed to have sex, at least I can laugh, right? Apparently, not according to the New Testament. Especially if that humor does not fall under the category of edifying the other person, and can be perceived as "unwholesome talk". Well, what is unwholesome talk? Pretty much any joke ever invented.

It seems to me that any joke worth its salt is at least slightly inappropriate. What would provoke laughter if the joke was not at least a bit insulting to something else or self-depreciating?

How do we reconcile the fact that humor is often foundational for human life and relationships, and that we see people immediately after church ends smiling, laughing, and joking, and yet the New Testament is a rather somber collection of documents that speaks of "trials by fire" and "persevering under trials" (as in 1 Peter and Hebrews) and yet so little speaks about enjoying life? Where do you get humor in your life, and how do you justify it in Christianity? I've heard that the New Testament is such a somber collection because it was written by people who were outcasts in the world and largely being persecuted. The author to the Hebrews states, commending the believers, that they accepted abuse (persecution) from nonbelievers and joyfully accepted the plundering of their possessions, because they knew they had a much more enduring reward in heaven. Christianity as a whole seems very much focused on the next life, and the discarding of this life as far as any personal enjoyment goes. Maybe because I'm not skilled in Scriptural interpretation, I'm reading this wrong. But does anyone else get this tone from reading the New Testament? I read a quote online, which was attributed to CS Lewis, which said, "One thing we never read in the New Testament: "Jesus laughed."

Input from Christians would be much appreciated.

Well brother ...I am in a life and death battle except it is more serious than life and death ...and if it were only about me , then I could lighten up a little ...we are told to be grave ( not to be confused with dour ) ..I was a jokster all of my life until the Lord had more mercy on me than any human should receive . My humor was self-depreciating and dry ...no harm to anyone but it was designed to make people like me ...my whole life was about me . So from personal experience , my vote is that christians are way too light considering the seriousness of our calling ...in the old testament , some of the prophets were called " light and treacherous " ...it is part of the old man ( my flesh ) and I ( through Christ )fight it all of the time . We are told to be sober minded ...why ? It is just others people's eternal souls ...what's the big deal ??? Lighten up ..( and I am saying this in jest but only to put it in perspective . ) This is what I believe to be true . If anyone disagree ...I will share this ...My wife and children are currently lost although they are religious ....if they were only on an operating table and it was only life and death , what should my attitude be ? What ballgames should I be watching ...what comedies should I be enjoying ? No , we need to sober up or maybe find some love in our hearts . Jesus wept . Does His spirit dwell in you ?

 

[Serving Zion]

I have a simple question about laughter and humor in New Testament Christianity. I think it's an important subject, particularly for me because I'm writing a book for those who have mental illness and are Christians, and how such people can use Christian Faith to make their lives more enjoyable. A few things that are universally acknowledged to be good for human beings are laughter, camaraderie, smiling, and humor. However, the NT has this to say about joking:

Ephesians 5:3-4 New King James Version (NKJV)
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Ephesians 4:29 New International Version (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

We see here, as in the entire New Testament, that any sort of sexual immorality, defined as sex (with either gender) outside the heterosexual marriage covenant is a sin. We see the barometer for sexual behavior set by the statement that even a "hint" of sexual immorality should not exist among us, and 1 Thess 4:3-8 paints a vivid contrast between us and the "Gentiles" who do not know God and give their bodies up to lasciviousness. A case can be strongly made that "possessing your vessel in sanctification and honor" and not having a "hint" of sexual immorality would also forbid masturbation or any impure thoughts or touching of a significant other that is not a husband or wife.

We also see that coarse jesting, foolish talk, or generally any idle chatter or banter used to generate vain humor is forbidden, because it does not fall under the category of thanksgiving, edification, and building up the Body of Christ.

Jesus has this to say about the importance of our words: "by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned." (Matt 12:37)

Recently, to lighten the emotional load in my life, lived with a mental disorder and the need to support myself by paying my own rent in my own apartment, living alone, and trying to live out the command of Jesus to avoid sexual immorality, I obtained a book of Jewish jokes to relieve some psychological pressure. I love to laugh. I figure, if I'm not allowed to have sex, at least I can laugh, right? Apparently, not according to the New Testament. Especially if that humor does not fall under the category of edifying the other person, and can be perceived as "unwholesome talk". Well, what is unwholesome talk? Pretty much any joke ever invented.

It seems to me that any joke worth its salt is at least slightly inappropriate. What would provoke laughter if the joke was not at least a bit insulting to something else or self-depreciating?

How do we reconcile the fact that humor is often foundational for human life and relationships, and that we see people immediately after church ends smiling, laughing, and joking, and yet the New Testament is a rather somber collection of documents that speaks of "trials by fire" and "persevering under trials" (as in 1 Peter and Hebrews) and yet so little speaks about enjoying life? Where do you get humor in your life, and how do you justify it in Christianity? I've heard that the New Testament is such a somber collection because it was written by people who were outcasts in the world and largely being persecuted. The author to the Hebrews states, commending the believers, that they accepted abuse (persecution) from nonbelievers and joyfully accepted the plundering of their possessions, because they knew they had a much more enduring reward in heaven. Christianity as a whole seems very much focused on the next life, and the discarding of this life as far as any personal enjoyment goes. Maybe because I'm not skilled in Scriptural interpretation, I'm reading this wrong. But does anyone else get this tone from reading the New Testament? I read a quote online, which was attributed to CS Lewis, which said, "One thing we never read in the New Testament: "Jesus laughed."

Input from Christians would be much appreciated.

Very few these days know good, clean humour! .. but it does exist. It comes forth from a good clean heart. Yes, sometimes to be humorous requires a bit of denigration, but it is never without exaltation when done in good spirit (for, The Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword).

 

[mark kennedy]

Jesus insists on washing Peter's feet, Peter says no Lord you cannot wash my feet. Jesus says fine, get out. Peter realizing Jesus was teaching a lesson says ok wash all of me. Jesus, I imagine smiling at this point says, but Peter, only your feet are dirty. I see humor in it.

 

[SkyWriting]

I have a simple question about laughter and humor in New Testament Christianity. I think it's an important subject, particularly for me because I'm writing a book for those who have mental illness and are Christians, and how such people can use Christian Faith to make their lives more enjoyable. A few things that are universally acknowledged to be good for human beings are laughter, camaraderie, smiling, and humor. However, the NT has this to say about joking:

Ephesians 5:3-4 New King James Version (NKJV)
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Ephesians 4:29 New International Version (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

We see here, as in the entire New Testament, that any sort of sexual immorality, defined as sex (with either gender) outside the heterosexual marriage covenant is a sin. We see the barometer for sexual behavior set by the statement that even a "hint" of sexual immorality should not exist among us, and 1 Thess 4:3-8 paints a vivid contrast between us and the "Gentiles" who do not know God and give their bodies up to lasciviousness. A case can be strongly made that "possessing your vessel in sanctification and honor" and not having a "hint" of sexual immorality would also forbid masturbation or any impure thoughts or touching of a significant other that is not a husband or wife.

We also see that coarse jesting, foolish talk, or generally any idle chatter or banter used to generate vain humor is forbidden, because it does not fall under the category of thanksgiving, edification, and building up the Body of Christ.

Jesus has this to say about the importance of our words: "by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned." (Matt 12:37)

Recently, to lighten the emotional load in my life, lived with a mental disorder and the need to support myself by paying my own rent in my own apartment, living alone, and trying to live out the command of Jesus to avoid sexual immorality, I obtained a book of Jewish jokes to relieve some psychological pressure. I love to laugh. I figure, if I'm not allowed to have sex, at least I can laugh, right? Apparently, not according to the New Testament. Especially if that humor does not fall under the category of edifying the other person, and can be perceived as "unwholesome talk". Well, what is unwholesome talk? Pretty much any joke ever invented.

It seems to me that any joke worth its salt is at least slightly inappropriate. What would provoke laughter if the joke was not at least a bit insulting to something else or self-depreciating?

How do we reconcile the fact that humor is often foundational for human life and relationships, and that we see people immediately after church ends smiling, laughing, and joking, and yet the New Testament is a rather somber collection of documents that speaks of "trials by fire" and "persevering under trials" (as in 1 Peter and Hebrews) and yet so little speaks about enjoying life? Where do you get humor in your life, and how do you justify it in Christianity? I've heard that the New Testament is such a somber collection because it was written by people who were outcasts in the world and largely being persecuted. The author to the Hebrews states, commending the believers, that they accepted abuse (persecution) from nonbelievers and joyfully accepted the plundering of their possessions, because they knew they had a much more enduring reward in heaven. Christianity as a whole seems very much focused on the next life, and the discarding of this life as far as any personal enjoyment goes. Maybe because I'm not skilled in Scriptural interpretation, I'm reading this wrong. But does anyone else get this tone from reading the New Testament? I read a quote online, which was attributed to CS Lewis, which said, "One thing we never read in the New Testament: "Jesus laughed."

Input from Christians would be much appreciated.

Laughter in the Bible? Absolutely! - Biblical Archaeology Society

 

[Bob Crowley]

The most hilarious company I've ever enjoyed has been Christian and the people I'm thinking about didn't need to use coarse language or sexual innuendo to be funny.

God is the author of humour, and it reflects His own sense of humour. I think I read somewhere that GK Chesterton was of the opinion that sometimes when Christ went off to pray by Himself, He used some of that time unseen to crack up with laughter about the dopey humans He was hanging around with.

But I also remember my old pastor saying that sometimes when people become Christian they seem to lose their sense of humour. He came from a Christian background himself, in which dry humour formed a part of family life. For example they'd be sitting around the meal table, and someone would comment "Our new teacher's name is Mr. Medicine." There'd be a reply "that would be hard to take", all said with a dead pan expression and not so much as a grin.

There's a difference between coarse humour and humour.

Anything can be abused - humour, cars, sex, money, food, drink, weapons, kitchen knives, language, and even bed sheets if Epstein actually hanged himself. It's a case of how we use these things, including our sense of humour.