Humour in Preaching?

[oworm]

Ive been increasingly concerned with the use of humour and humourous anecdotal stories in sermons. Personaly I can find no scriptural support for the use of humour in teaching although I know Jesus used hyperbole to illustrate. What is your view in the use of humour in the pulpit?

 

[markbelieves]

Personally, I don't have a problem with it, as long as it doesn't feel like I am watching a nightclub act. If it is nothing but a laugh then it fell short of what it should be. But I have seen my Pastor use humor many times effectively. How would I define effective? I may remember the humor but I remember even more how it tied into the sermon message and strengthened the point.

Grace and Peace to you,

Mark

 

[JTLauder]

I recall thinking on several occasions, particularly in the OT, when God was dealing with people, I couldn't help but notice that God has a real sense of humor. I mean, read it from a literary standpoint, and you can't help but see that the only way God could interact with such inept and stubborn-headed people is to humor and play with them.

I mean, look at us--creatures made of mud and water--and he wants us--you and me--people to be by his side for all eternity! It's humbling, but absurd, and it's true.

Does God have a sense of humor? Definitely.

 

[Smileyill]

We have a sense of humor. He made us...

 

[JTLauder]

Another example of God's sense of humor: the duck-billed platypus.

 

[Weasel7711]

Ive been increasingly concerned with the use of humour and humourous anecdotal stories in sermons. Personaly I can find no scriptural support for the use of humour in teaching although I know Jesus used hyperbole to illustrate. What is your view in the use of humour in the pulpit?

Its not neccesarily a biblical practice, more of a way of public speaking and getting your audience engaged, as long as the point gets across and the story is appropriate than I have no problem.

 

[Weasel7711]

Another example of God's sense of humor: the duck-billed platypus.

I think the biggest example of God's sense of humor is the creation of humanity

 

[SumSam]

I remember reading in 1 Samuel 5 that when the Philistines took away the Ark of the Covenant, they kept getting hemorrhoids till they returned back the Ark to the children of Israel.

That seems like God has a sense of humor...

 

[Weasel7711]

I remember reading in 1 Samuel 5 that when the Philistines took away the Ark of the Covenant, they kept getting hemorrhoids till they returned back the Ark to the children of Israel.

That seems like God has a sense of humor...

ha ha, oh the old testament is full of silly punishments

 

[JTLauder]

ha ha, oh the old testament is full of silly punishments

Another one: Jonah after being swallowed by a whale, "What the ...?!"

 

[Weasel7711]

Another one: Jonah after being swallowed by a whale, "What the ...?!"

I particularly like the story of Elom (?) and when he got stabbed in the gut, he was so fat that his blubber swallowed up the sword... He must have been wicked fat. Its it judges somewhere

Oh oh and when the youths taunting Elisha were randomly eaten by bears...