| | The calming of the seas was after the [[Apostles]] were fearful the boat would sink while [[Jesus]] was sleeping. There is a light-hearted nature to the Bible, in contrast to the humorlessness common among [[atheist]]s. ''See'' [[Mystery:Does God Have a Sense of Humor?]] | | The calming of the seas was after the [[Apostles]] were fearful the boat would sink while [[Jesus]] was sleeping. There is a light-hearted nature to the Bible, in contrast to the humorlessness common among [[atheist]]s. ''See'' [[Mystery:Does God Have a Sense of Humor?]] |
| | + | Perhaps because the Bible addresses serious issues, humor that is recognized in [[Shakespeare]]an play or literature is all-too-often missed in reading the Bible. For example, when a future [[Apostle]] declares “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46), it's funny sarcasm like insulting a fan of an opposing sports team. |
| | + | Mocking Jesus as a rural Galilean occurs elsewher (John 7:41-42, John 7:52), as are insults about his “Nazarene” origins (John 18:5-7, John 19:19; Acts 6:14, Acts 24:5). The joke continues to the point of Matthew even defending it, like defending that one is a Yankees or Red Sox fan (Matt 2:23).<ref>https://www.bibleodyssey.org/en/places/related-articles/can-anything-good-come-out-of-nazareth</ref> All these passages about Jesus's regional origin are best taken with good humor, not grim seriousness. |
| | Indeed, the Bible 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> | | Indeed, the Bible 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> |