Books
Excerpt

Don’t Laugh, but I Think Theology Should Be Funny

An excerpt from “The Work of Theology.”

jgroup / iStock

Most of those who practice Christian theology think they are engaged in a serious science. This should not be surprising given the reality that at the center of Christian theology is a crucified Savior. Moreover, theology must well deal with the fundamentals of life—that is, life, death, and all the stuff in between. Stuff like love and the betrayal of love. Sentimentality and superficial nostrums must be avoided. Humor can be one of the ways that sentimentality and superficiality can be defied.

Work of Theology

Work of Theology

Eerdmans

305 pages

$23.82

I do think, in spite of considerable evidence to the contrary, that theology can and should be, in some of its modes, funny. Theology done right should make you laugh. It should be done in an entertaining manner. Humor is not the only mode of entertainment the discourse of theology can take, but it is surely the case that we are often attracted to speech and writing that is funny. This calls into question the presumption by some that if you want what you have to say to be entertaining, then what you have to say cannot be serious. I have tried to defy that presumption by attempting to do theology in a manner that “tickles” the imagination.

A number of times, when being introduced before giving a lecture, the story is told of my encounter with a student at Harvard. It seems I was walking across Harvard looking for the library. Not sure I was going in the right direction, I asked an undergraduate if he could tell me where the library is at. He responded by observing, “At Harvard we do not end sentences with a preposition.” I am said to have responded, “Can you tell me where the library is at, [expletive]?”

There is just one problem with that story. It did not happen. However, the story now seems to have reached a canonical stage.

I relate this phenomenon because the story also reflects the general presumption that I am a “funny guy.” Some even think I have a gift for the one-liner. It is not for me to claim to be funny, but I do hope that I have been able to do theology in a funny manner. I think my work is funny in at least two ways. First, I hope that people laugh out loud about something I have said or written. Second, my work is funny because I try to find ways to “do theology” in disguise. So I push the limits of the presumptions about “serious” theology in the hope that the difference might make a difference for how we live.

It is one thing to suggest that theologians need a sense of humor. It is quite something else to argue that their theology must be funny. I acknowledge the distinction, but I will maintain that not only should theologians know how to laugh at themselves but also their theology should manifest the joy that reflects the glory of God. Of course, joy is not the same as what makes something funny, but what is funny depends first and foremost on a joyful recognition that God is God and we are not. The joke is on us.

This excerpt is adapted from parts of the chapter, “How to Be Theologically Funny.” Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

History’s Biggest Heresies

Cover Story

Why You Shouldn’t Call That False Teaching a Heresy

Cover Story

Do You Believe a False Teaching?

News

When Churches Get Burnt by the Offering

The Weird and Wonderful Church Drawings of John Hendrix

Testimony

From the Bahá’í Faith to Porn to Alpha to Jesus

Can One Marriage Support Two Callings?

A Pastor's Journey from Gay Pride Parades to the Pulpit

Our Beautiful, Broken Christian Ancestors

Was the Samaritan Woman Really an Adulteress?

Review

Leaving Patriarchy in the Past

News

The Christian Case for Not Giving Up on the World's Most Fragile State

Review

Are You Worshiping a Fake Jesus?

The Justice-Forward Salvation Army

How Christian Institutions Can Stay Christian Amid Secular Pressure

News

Can the Baker, the Florist, the Photographer, and the Clerk Win?

A History Lesson

Reply All

A Beautiful Escape

Wilson’s Bookmarks

New & Noteworthy Books

Tent of Greeting

News

Gleanings: October 2015

Editorial

Why We Need the New Battle for the Bible

View issue

Our Latest

News

Supreme Court Considers State Bans of Transgender Procedures for Minors

The justices seemed skeptical of arguments that bans preventing transition represent sex discrimination.

News

The World Evangelical Alliance’s Controversial Korea Announcement

Local conservative evangelicals challenge the global body’s decision to hold its 2025 General Assembly in Seoul.

Hail ‘Mary,’ Full of Violence

Director D.J. Caruso calls his dramatic new film a celebration of the mother of God.

Public Theology Project

Russell Moore’s Favorite Books of 2024

The top 10 picks of CT’s editor in chief range from dystopian fiction to philosophy, with a dose of Sabbath poems, Inklings, and country music.

My Book Sales Stink. But I’m Glad I Took the Publishing Plunge.

Even though the experience bruised my ego, God redeemed it in surprising ways.

Latino Christians Deserve a Straight Answer on Immigration

The Russell Moore Show

A Conversation with Peggy Noonan

The Pulitzer Prize winner ponders who we are and what we may become.

A Better Trans Conversation

As the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on youth gender medicine, Christians must prepare to speak with love while holding fast to biblical truth.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube