THINGS NOT HARD TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT PULPIT HUMOR

The apostle Peter acknowledged that there are “some things hard to be understood” in the writings of Paul — things, “which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest” (2 Pet. 3:16). Peter didn’t say that “things hard to understand” are impossible to understand. He simply called attention to the fact that understanding some things in the Bible requires more study, thought, prayer and meditation than other things do. The Bible’s position relative to humor in the pulpit is not one of these “hard to be understood” things. It’s easy to understand.

There’s no mystery to solve, no secret to discover, no code to decipher, no hieroglyphics to unravel where God’s position relative to inappropriate pulpit humor is concerned.  There’s nothing inscrutable to unscrew. Consequently, there’s no valid excuse for a preacher or any other Bible- reading Christian to think or act in a way that contradicts God’s will where inappropriate pulpit humor is concerned.

Far too many preachers are too free and easy with humor. These often, as the saying goes in the South “go beyond the pale” or “get out of the banks” with it when in the pulpit. Many more don’t seem to know the difference between being “a fool for Christ’s sake” (1 Cor. 4:10) and being one for the devil’s sake, and to the detriment of Christ’s cause. Examples of this in the extreme may easily be found on YouTube where preachers can be seen turning the preaching platform into a stage for their buffoonery. The only thing sadder than this is the encouragement it receives from the laughter, amens and hooting and hollering of congregations that are slapping-their-legs-happy with it.

There is a certain dignity that God wants upheld relative to the Gospel ministry. It is no surprise then, that Satan, knowing that “it pleased God through the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor. 1:21) would want to do everything in his power to downgrade and denigrate preachers and preaching and have them despised in the eyes of men.  Preachers of all people should do whatever they can to resist Satan’s efforts in this area; certainly they should not aid and abet them. See Matt. 12:30.

It is a matter of divine record that God once destroyed 40 young men for disrespecting one of His prophets (2 Kings 2:23, 24).  It is hateful enough in the eyes of God when the people of this world heap reproach upon His servants and His work. How much more hateful must it be to Him when preachers bring reproach upon themselves and the work of the ministry?

All this begs the question—What is it that some preachers do not seem to understand about the do’s and don’ts of their behavior that are set forth so clearly in the Bible? What do they not understand about Ephesians 5:3, 4: “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient.” What do they not understand about “foolish talking” and “jesting” being set in the same context with “filthiness … fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness.” What is it that they do they not understand about foolish talking and jesting not being “convenient” (that is, not appropriate, conducive or helpful?).

Bear in mind that, according to the Pastoral Epistles, a pastor is instructed to be “an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” He is to be “blameless” as a man of “good behavior” and “sober”-minded—a man known for the “gravity” of his character (1 Tim. 4:12; 3:1-4). Being “blameless” by the way, doesn’t mean a pastor is expected to be perfect, but it does mean that he must be a man at whom the finger of blame can’t be pointed because he knowingly does what the Bible teaches him not to do.

The Bible teaches “line upon line and precept upon precept,” in tone and in tenor, that men of God should be, and be understood to be, men who are serious about their work. “A good minister of Jesus Christ” is a man who is “nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:6). He is “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”  (2 Tim. 2:15). A pastor is supposed to “be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine,” “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” someone who has an exceptional understanding of the Bible and is exceptionally “apt to teach” it (1 Tim. 4:6; 2 Tim. 2:15, 24). What do those who profess to be men of God, but who still, to one degree or another, clown around in the pulpit not understand about all this? And why don’t they understand it?

Men who don’t seem to understand what is inappropriate regarding pulpit humor, even after years of preaching, may be revealing an inconvenient-for-themselves truth. The truth-inconvenient for them is that may need to reexamine the validity of their call into the ministry. The truth-inconvenient for them may be that they need to remove themselves or be removed from any pastoral office or pulpit they occupy.

In conclusion, it must be asked, What is it that churches do not understand about all this? Why do churches continue to invite preachers into their pulpits and retain pastors who are given to foolish talking and jesting when in the pulpit. Are these really the kind of men to whom God was referring when He said “I will give you shepherds after My own heart,  who will feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Jer. 3:15)? There is much that the Spirit has to say in the Scriptures on this subject. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13,22).