Christian Parody

[Jeremy D. Scott]

I, like others, have laughed at articles on Nazarene **** (http://nazarenenews.blogspot.com/). Same with some of the poking fun at evangelicalism on The Onion (http://www.theonion.com).

I've often thought that using humor to point out ridiculousness is easier to swallow than just being told "you're wrong," and can be beneficial in the long run.

A good friend sent me a clip from Steve & Kathy Gray (http://www.steveandkathygray.com/). One of their clips made me laugh, but a couple of others made me uncomfortable. And unless they're just joking on their website (it was tough to tell what's a joke and what's not), they're taking their show to the general public on local stations in the country (In KC, you can watch them late at night on KCTV Channel 5).

What do we think of Christian parody? Is it beneficial for the Kingdom? At what point does it go too far?

[Barb Bouldrey]

When Christian parody makes Christians uncomfortable, then it has gone too far.

I know that each of us have a different level of humor and different things we find humorous, but I think the Holy Spirit can let us know that humor can go too far.

I enjoy Nazarene ****, even though I go long spells forgetting about it, but sometimes he goes too far for my taste.

When I worked as a psychiatric aide during college summers I would be shocked at how the nurses joked about the mentally ill patients. Then I learned that you had to laugh to be able to cope with the heartache of seeing those people in that condition.

Often humor gets the point home easier and faster.

Barb

[Joanne Vergin]

Oh my! THey are pushing buttons.

[Terri Knoll]

I love parody. Sometimes things make me feel uncomfortable but then I ask myself why it makes me uncomfortable? usually it is me that needs to change something.
but all in all, I agree that humor can help us look at ourselves the way the world looks at us, and if something seems ridiculous it probably is and maybe we need to change our approach.

I should apply for that bipolar pastor position lol

[Wilson L. Deaton]

When Christian parody makes Christians uncomfortable, then it has gone too far.

Would you also say, "When a sermon makes Christians uncomfortable, then it has gone too far?"

Parody is simply a vehicle for a message. Many valid and important messages make us uncomfortable.

Wilson

[Billy Cox]

What do we think of Christian parody? Is it beneficial for the Kingdom? At what point does it go too far?

I like parody. Laughter is a healthy thing. I'm sure that it can go too far, but I can't really describe a general rule.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

Would you also say, "When a sermon makes Christians uncomfortable, then it has gone too far?"

Parody is simply a vehicle for a message. Many valid and important messages make us uncomfortable.

Wilson

But where's the tipping point?

If I preached a sermon that directly and specifically questioned the validity or value of another Christian, certainly it would be uncomfortable to many, but that doesn't make it beneficial. And I think that the times I have been uncomfortable are the ones that attack a certain individual.

I specifically thought of Paul this morning amidst this from Philippians 1:
"Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defence of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice."

This could be used for either side of this discussion.

[Wilson L. Deaton]

But where's the tipping point?

I don't remember exactly where I got this but I used it in a sermon a few weeks back and I think one could draw out an application here.

Not a definition but a criteria for distinguishing the difference between Constructive and Destructive Criticism:

If delivering your message brings you any pleasure or delight it is probably destructive and should be avoided.
If it hurts you to deliver the message, but you feel you have to do it anyway, it is likely constructive and you may proceed.


Wilson

[Wilson L. Deaton]

But where's the tipping point?


Another approach to the destructive/constructive test I mentioned earlier:

Ephesisans 2:29 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.

Ask if the Christian parody is helpful and beneficial or hurtful.

Could this same test apply to NazNet posts?

(Oh man, now I've gone and made myself uncomfortable...)

Wilson

[Terri Knoll]

but who gets to decide what offends whom? some people are so hateful everything offends them. should we cease to speak at all then?

I agree about saying things that build people up, but telling someone they look good in green and having them lash back at you saying, NO it doesn't it makes me look fat. thanx for telling me I look fat.

do I just not say anything to that person anymore?

life is too short to worry about stuff like that.

[Barb Bouldrey]

Wilson,

It all depends on your definition of "uncomfortable." LOL

A Christian should feel uncomfortable around things that are not Christ-like.

A Christian should feel uncomfortable when the Holy Spirit is dealing with them about something they need to do or change in their lives to obey Christ or be more like Him.

Two different ways of feeling uncomfortable.

I should not be comfortable viewing pornography. I should not be comfortable sitting with a group of people telling sexual jokes.

And as I said before, each of us have our own level of humor and what we consider decent humor, non-offending humor, acceptible spiritual humor. But when MY spirit makes me feel uncomfortable with humor, then maybe it is HIS Spirit telling me that it is not my best choice of humor.

Barb

[Greg Gates]

I got this from the Naz **** site and thought it was great.

AR Wow, that's amazing! How does your District Superintendent feel about this?

T My DS told me in confidence that as long as my church pays the 'missions tax' and as long as I don't allow people to speak in tongues in my church, he doesn't care if I build a magical rainbow spaceship in the fellowship hall or replace the communion juice with pig's blood.