Is it ok to use Satire in relating to the Bible?

[PloughBoy]

When Should Christians Use Satire?

While satire, irony, sarcasm, and ridicule all have their place in exposing evil and harm, Christians should patiently seek to win others in love.

www.desiringgod.org

 

[Hekuran]

John Piper says: " So, my conclusion is that in the rough and tumble of truth-speaking in a world of evil and folly, there will always be a place for irony and satire to do its work of exposing error and evil and folly. Nevertheless, I think the use of it is very limited in bearing the kind of fruit that love longs to see in transformed lives. God grants repentance. It seems to me — and I base this on 2 Timothy 2:25 — God grants repentance more often in connection with brokenhearted appeals than with clever indictments."

I agree with this: it's very difficult to use satire without diminishing the person who is being satirised. The Old Testament prophets used it sparingly and with devastating effect. In most cases it's better to speak simply and directly.

 

[Dave M]

the bible is the HOLLY HOLLY sacred word of God, I think far to many people do not have the reverence for it ,,that is called for in scripture.

 

[PloughBoy]

John Piper says: " So, my conclusion is that in the rough and tumble of truth-speaking in a world of evil and folly, there will always be a place for irony and satire to do its work of exposing error and evil and folly. Nevertheless, I think the use of it is very limited in bearing the kind of fruit that love longs to see in transformed lives. God grants repentance. It seems to me — and I base this on 2 Timothy 2:25 — God grants repentance more often in connection with brokenhearted appeals than with clever indictments."

I agree with this: it's very difficult to use satire without diminishing the person who is being satirised. The Old Testament prophets used it sparingly and with devastating effect. In most cases it's better to speak simply and directly.

This is good, Hekuran. always we must bring all sides to the table. and we as the "body of Christ" who are members of this body of a certain believers.
Piper the "Calvinist" I like him. but not everything that comes out of his mouth. So would you say "Satire is the opposite of Love' and we should not use "Quotes" from "Scripture" in fear of harming another?
The reason I am addressing this is because I want us to take it apart and not rely on the opinions of the Theologians to dictate to us the intent of why GOD place these examples in "Holy Scriptures"! Because "Jesus" set the pace and Apostle Paul; follow me as I follow Christ. the "Quotes" in the Bible, did not they make us laugh, by some of their replies. And the stuff Jesus said to people and how he said it, in todays world they would kick him out of "their" churches too! And Jesus makes the statement: "Ever word i say, the Father tells me to say it and how to say it, i speak nothing of my own" And He speaks a lot of "Satire". So the "Holy Spirit" is guiding Him."

Now in saying this: Who is it, that is guiding us? Are we picking our own words and how to say them? Is it Emily Post or the "Holy Spirit"? Is this why a lot of church doors have been close. Has it become a place of the words of man conveying the truths of God or a place of God where the "Holy Spirit" is conveying the truth of God through a man?

A lot of the new translations and Paraphases and partial Translations mix with pharaphases, have reworded the Bibles of Old, to not offend the readers and make the bible, pleasant to the modern day reader and listener. And by doing so it has lost the flavor inwhich GOD wanted it to be presented to the listerners.
This statement is well known and not deny by the "Publishers" For Bible Publishing is a business, a supply and demand. "What does the demand want"" What kind of Bible you want? We find out and we deliver" They admit this.

input please: There are things we can discuss here and cannot discuss in the "Local Assembly" where everyone can give input concerning the "body of Christ" and if not, why come here, If it is the same old thing as your local assembly, I would think.

 

[Hekuran]

To satirise a person, their opinions or actions is to hold them up to ridicule. Sometimes it's appropriate. The article above quotes Isaiah, who clearly had a knack for satire. Chapter 44 takes a swipe at the idolater:

He cuts down cedars, or he chooses a cypress tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a cedar and the rain nourishes it. Then it becomes fuel for a man. He takes a part of it and warms himself; he kindles a fire and bakes bread. Also he makes a god and worships it; he makes it an idol and falls down before it. Half of it he burns in the fire. Over the half he eats meat; he roasts it and is satisfied. Also he warms himself and says, “Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire!” And the rest of it he makes into a god, his idol, and falls down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god!”

Ouch!

But when we ridicule someone, we treat them in a hostile, combative way. My preference, especially on a forum like this where we can't convey voice tone or body language, is to tell it straight.

So when I disagree with you (which happens) I think it's better to keep it simple and state where and why I think you are wrong. That gives you to opportunity to come back to me on a level footing and either agree or disagree with my response. That way we can remain friends, even if our views remain apart.

 

[PloughBoy]

To satirise a person, their opinions or actions is to hold them up to ridicule. Sometimes it's appropriate. The article above quotes Isaiah, who clearly had a knack for satire. Chapter 44 takes a swipe at the idolater:

He cuts down cedars, or he chooses a cypress tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a cedar and the rain nourishes it. Then it becomes fuel for a man. He takes a part of it and warms himself; he kindles a fire and bakes bread. Also he makes a god and worships it; he makes it an idol and falls down before it. Half of it he burns in the fire. Over the half he eats meat; he roasts it and is satisfied. Also he warms himself and says, “Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire!” And the rest of it he makes into a god, his idol, and falls down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god!”

Ouch!

But when we ridicule someone, we treat them in a hostile, combative way. My preference, especially on a forum like this where we can't convey voice tone or body language, is to tell it straight.

So when I disagree with you (which happens) I think it's better to keep it simple and state where and why I think you are wrong. That gives you to opportunity to come back to me on a level footing and either agree or disagree with my response. That way we can remain friends, even if our views remain apart.

So are you saying; to look at your view of "Holy Scripture" and use your style of "Hermeneutics" or do not seek the "Holy Spirit" guidance in such matters. and GOD has left it up to mankind. I am looking for solid ground as others. "the body of Christ" the New Testament people. we are more informed into the things of GOD, per se The "Holy Scripture" than those who are the prophets of the Old Testament and writers.

What i am hearing, it seems to me is worldy ways, the ways of this world. and not the ways of Christ, that the world cannot understand, for they have not the ability to be able to. For they have not the "Spirirt of The LIVING GOD in them. So they think in worldly ways.


1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
American Standard Version
We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought:

Are not we "Commanded by GOD" to walk in the "Spirit" at all times. So that makes it a sin tfor us to dis-obey HIM. Why call me Lord, Lord and do not the things i say! So we must walked together in the "Holy SPIRIT" and not the agreement of the flesh but the "Holy Spirit". Is this not the strive of our intent?

Is this not the goal of our destination? that we labor everyday. That we grow In Christ. We grow In Christ. Not outside of Christ and in love with the world. and worldy ways and thoughts.

The world hates us, the world ways hates us, the world system hates us. Three enemies the bible proclaims in the "Gospel according to Jesus Christ" "The world, the devil and the flesh" we have No others enemies! NO other enemies! I cannot be your enemy,you cannot be my enemy because GOD said so. "But we both can be enemies of the cross" "by doing our best to advoid suffering" "Alll things work together for the Good to those who love GOD those who are called according to HIs purpose" and how do we know we love GOD? "By doing what he says" denying ourselves.

are we not into agreement?

 

[PloughBoy]

"All that is Required for Evil to Triumph is For Good men, to stand by and Do nothing"
" by, Edmund Burke"

 

[Hekuran]

I don't understand your reasoning on this. There's nothing worldly or ungodly about talking directly.

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings,

there is theory and there is action.... and there is also this:

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit
John 3:8

And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
John 20:22



Bless you ....><>

 

[Sosthenes]

The question is really, when if at any time would satire be appropriate? The Bible does use hyperbole but that is God's prerogative.
The real question is why can't you get anywhere by being straight with people?
If I am communicating what is in the word, I want to be very clear and people have attacked me for talking down to them and I suppose that is pride. But if you are not sincere and not plain and clear, you could be misunderstood.
When listening, the church judges (1 Corinthians 14:29) and if you are joking around or sound like you are mocking Christianity then you can be misunderstood or falsely identified as an enemy or harmful person.
There are lots of times where I am speaking and people jump to conclusions or don't understand in normal situations and clouding the issue with satire can be problematic. Sometimes people may just not understand or it may injure someone's conscience because they are a weaker brother.
Satire could be a form of keeping score and love does not seek it's own. Love does not behave unseemly and is satire love?
And have you or anyone else really judged your motives in doing so?

The other issue is that I've met some people that are so sensitive that they will react and you have lost your chance to witness.
The object in Christian witness is to appeal and not repel.
Do you really want people to reject you because you caused offense in some manner? And I have met people who yelled at me and said, "I don't care. I have a life!" You see, you have to almost be a beggar wanting to give people the truth or a gift. Unless you have authority on being there, unless you have a right, you can't tell people what to do. And I can think of plays or skits where people in the audience were so offended they wouldn't come back.


1 Peter 3:15

New International Version

15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Bible Gateway passage: 1 Peter 3:15 - New International Version

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

www.biblegateway.com

James 3:2
For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

James 3 :: King James Version (KJV)

James 3 - For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, [and] able also to bridle the whole body.

www.blueletterbible.org

 

[Sosthenes]

To minister to people, the barrier people have is they think you might hurt them.

Satire has a way of hurting people.

It is self defeating if you don't figure this out.