| | + | Most of the [[miracle]]s and [[parable]]s in the [[Bible]] have humorous element to them. Just a few examples are running out of wine (the only drinkable beverage) at a wedding, catching so many fish that the boat was in danger of sinking, and multiplying fish and loaves so much that the scraps overflows the baskets. |
| | One aspect of the Bible which is frequently overlooked (particularly by those who read it only to criticize it) is that it is replete with examples of humor. This is unsurprising; the authors of the Bible, in addition to being inspired by God, were also complex human beings, members of cultures as rich and faceted as any today. Their writing reflects this complexity; at times it is poignant, at times tragic, and at times, very funny. Indeed, it would be surprising not to find humor in the Bible; after all, the Bible is a work of joy and of celebration. Dr. Hershey H. Friedman notes this, arguing that "[[Humor]] brings [[God]] closer to humankind. For instance, God seems more understandable and less aloof when he is [[sarcasm|sarcastic]]. We mortals note that even omniscience and omnipotence do not prevent one from being hurt by straying children. Humorous stories and exaggerations make the [[moral]] lessons of the [[Hebrew]] [[Bible]] more memorable ... "<ref>[http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/economic/friedman/bibhumor.htm Humor in the Hebrew Bible] - Hershey H. Friedman, Ph.D.</ref> | | One aspect of the Bible which is frequently overlooked (particularly by those who read it only to criticize it) is that it is replete with examples of humor. This is unsurprising; the authors of the Bible, in addition to being inspired by God, were also complex human beings, members of cultures as rich and faceted as any today. Their writing reflects this complexity; at times it is poignant, at times tragic, and at times, very funny. Indeed, it would be surprising not to find humor in the Bible; after all, the Bible is a work of joy and of celebration. Dr. Hershey H. Friedman notes this, arguing that "[[Humor]] brings [[God]] closer to humankind. For instance, God seems more understandable and less aloof when he is [[sarcasm|sarcastic]]. We mortals note that even omniscience and omnipotence do not prevent one from being hurt by straying children. Humorous stories and exaggerations make the [[moral]] lessons of the [[Hebrew]] [[Bible]] more memorable ... "<ref>[http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/economic/friedman/bibhumor.htm Humor in the Hebrew Bible] - Hershey H. Friedman, Ph.D.</ref> |