The Humor of Christ: a Significant But Often Unrecogized Aspect of Christ Teaching

I came across a reference to Trueblood's book in "No More Christian Nice Guy," and immediately had to have it. A lot of what Jesus says in the Gospels can range from baffling to rude -- if you mistakenly deprive him of one of his best evangelistic tools, his wonderful sense of wry wit. There is some reading between the lines, and perhaps Trueblood pushes one or two points too hard. But I'm convinced that this book, and a sense of humor, has helped me to unlock some of the more difficult parts of the Synoptic Gospels.

When I spotted this book on my library's shelf, I was immediately intrigued by its title, having shortly before noted a major toning-down of sarcasm on Christ's part in the NIV translation of John 16:31. Trueblood's book is as intriguing as its title, although it tends to a rather serious tone, an irony given the nature of the subject matter. He perhaps goes a little too far on occasion, finding humor where none may be intended, but the book is worthwhile for its original analysis of the parable of the unjust steward in Luke alone. It is also an easy read for a work of evident scholarship.

I came across a copy of this book in the library and the title drew my attention. I read it in three hours, at one sitting though the experience itself was no fun. Trueblood is advocating a re-reading of the synoptic gospels focusing on the humor of Jesus Christ found in his wit, banter and irony. In this approach of seeking humor, he seems to adopt a Bultmannian approach to the interpretation of the gospels. I am afraid that in his eagerness to find humor in the saying and parables of Jesus, he has to be guarded not to end up doing disservice to the message itself. But Elton Truebllod has brought out a wonderful area worthy of further exploration and possible research.

This is a profound book. The whole body of Christ needs it desperately. Its point is simple and beautiful: Christ used humor and irony in his teachings. Not all (or even most) of his statements are meant to be taken literally. The other reviewer gave two of the best examples--the "foreign dogs" thing was actually teasing, and the "lust is adultery" thing is actually meant to mock excessive righteousness, not literally tell people that lust *is* adultery. This could and should bring about major changes and clarifications in our understanding of Christ's message, and it is badly overdue. As he himself said to his disciples (paraphrased), "Can't you people see I'm not talking about bread?" He wants us to understand him. This book is a major help in that purpose.

A very slim, easily readable volume in which Trueblood carefully goes through every saying of Jesus's in the New Testament and argues that many of them are humorous, often very witty sayings. For example, he argues that the saying that looking at someone with lust in your heart is the same as committing adultery was not meant to be taken as literally true. What Jesus was doing was mocking the arrogant and self-righteous of his age, who considered themselves as so superior that they were beyond mere lust. In our age own, everyone is familiar with certain preachers who act as if they are beyond all sexual temptation or desire...then get caught with hookers. (Apparently human nature doesn't change.) Another instance that Trueblood writes about is the curious exchange between Jesus and a woman whom he refuses to cure, insulting her with the comment, "It isn't right to give the children's food to the dogs." On the surface, this is an appalling comment. Trueblood argues Jesus was teasing her, and that she bested him by coming back with, "Yes, but even the dogs can eat the scraps that fall from the table." I can imagine the smile on his face as he says, "If you can give me an answer like that, I will cure you." This book is an eye-opener for those who have been curious as to why so many of Jesus's sayings didn't make much sense...unless you see them as wit.