How does the horrifying biblical story of "The Sacrifice of Isaac" aka "The Binding of Isaac" change when we substitute "Isaac" for the meaning of his name, "Laughter"??
Read MoreThe Binding of Laughter
comedy of the Bible
Wry with a Dash of Bitters
When trying to decipher the humor of Jesus (and its profound and prophetic power), the Comic Lens suggests comparing it to the humor of Hawkeye Pierce. Cheers! (Sort of....)
Read MoreTough Love
There has been a lot of very controversial, dark political satire either entertaining or repulsing audiences these days. But maybe nothing is as awful (or as smartly clever?) as what the prophet Hosea did when naming his children.
Read MoreThe Bible's "Cinderfella"!
The Bible introduces King David to us in a delightful way that is most reminiscent of "Cinderella." Or is it "Cinderfella"?? The imagination reels....
Read MoreTHE SACRED AND THE SERBIAN! (Part of an ongoing series "Scripture, Peacemaking and Humor")
I haven't yet discovered much on ways the Church has followed God's lead of using humor to bring down the forces of injustice and oppression. However, there are some great examples to be found elsewhere. For example, Serbia.
Read MoreBaby Showers!
Despite the often bitter contention as to what, according to Jesus, it takes to see the Kingdom of God: does one have to be "born again" or "born from above"? The bottom line is that it involves birth, and birth is one of the earmarks of comedy. How's that for Good News?!!
Read MoreInderisible!
Humor is emerging as a major tool for resistance and transformation in the current political maelstrom. This isn't new. Jesus even shows his disciples how!
Read MoreAnd This Shall Be a Sign Unto You....
So many of the signs from the Women's Marches of January 21 were clever, funny and sharply-messaged. Can they help us see the humor in the signs of the Bible, especially the one that ends up being Jesus?
Read MoreThe Game of the Name!
Is it possible to have fun - a lot of fun - with that long list of often unpronounceable names at the beginning of Matthew's gospel that comprise Jesus' genealogy?
Read More"Fun With Rummage!"
in Church, comedy of the Bible, God, Jesus, Kitsch, Kingdom of God, Parables, Luke
Here's a sermon of mine that made it into print! As an example of "Comedy and Preaching", I compare the Kingdom of God to a church rummage sale. Seems that now is a good time to share this sermon for a number of reasons, including the beginning of the Cubs-Indians World Series....
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