Is Sarcasm Scriptural?
A commenter with a tender heart and a positive mindset was offended, I think, by the tone of one of my recent posts – specifically, its sarcasm.
Is sarcasm an offensive way to communicate a concept?
Obviously, for this fellow, it was.
Is it effective? For him, it wasn’t.
Is it scriptural?
At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” – 1 Kings 18:27
“Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ – Jesus, Matthew 23:16
As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! – Paul, Galatians 5:12
That’s three small examples out of one big, big book.
I agree that it’s best for my conversation be “.. always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Point taken, Ted.
Still, on a rare occasion, I reserve the right sharpen my quill, ink it with as much grace as I can find, and dry the ink with the salt of good taste.
And if the salt gets in a small wound – well, at least it might serve as antiseptic.
I for sure think there is a place for sarcasm, especially when it can be used to make a point. But, just as with anything else, one has to make sure they aren’t using it to hurt. Also one needs to make sure it’s not their default action anytime we disagree with someone. Used in over abundance, it loses it’s effectiveness. DU
You are my friend for life since you made sarcasm a scriptural concept….Woo-Hoo!!David is a little misguided thinking it can be overused…but I will forgive my fellow Crimson friend.
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? <>Surely you know!<>“The last time I read this verse (not too long ago, maybe a month or two) it stopped me in my tracks, for this very reason! I thought “Oh my! ‘Surely you know’????? God is being sarcastic w/Job! I’d just never pictured Him as a sarcastic God. But I guess even God finds the rare occasion that it’s necessary. That makes me feel better. Sometimes I’m quite full of sarcasm…so I’ve been told.BTW, that’s now 5 in the last 6 days…keep ‘em coming, brother Keith! <>Please!<> Much love!–mmlace
Glad you’re reserving the use of sarcasm.I like the biblical examples. And don’t forgot Thomas’s words to the disciples in Jn. 11:16: “Let’s go too so that we can die with him.” If that’s not sarcasm, then Jn. 20:25 has to be.
I am not against sarcasm myself, but I don’t think the fact that Thomas uses sarcasm actually promotes it.