Musings on Spiritual Matters

I have always heard it said, “A preacher should not use sarcasm in the pulpit.”  It seemed that the form of speech of sarcasm was off limits for a preacher.  It was not an acceptable form of communication for a sermon.  Sarcasm had no more right to be used than a dirty joke.  The definition of sarcasm is “the use of words to damage the reputation of and to hurt, another person. It is “a sharp, bitter, or cutting expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt.”  This definition certainly seems inappropriate for a sermon.  Of course you do not want to hurt people in a sermon, those precious people might get “cut to the heart.”  But sarcasm that is used merely to hurt with little redemptive purpose would be wrong, but this verbal form could be useful with a heavy dose of irony.  Irony is a lighter form of sarcasm.  The definition for irony is “a literary form in which there is an incongruity or discordance that goes strikingly beyond the most simple and evident meaning of words or actions. Verbal and situational irony is often intentionally used as emphasis in an assertion of a truth.”  If sarcasm is used to declare a truth, could it be useful in the pulpit?

Probably, since God saw that it was appropriate to communicate with those opposed to him.  And I am sure those people never show up at church.  I am sure everyone at church is always in line with the will of the Lord.  In 1 Kings 18:27 the prophet of God mocks the people.  “And it came about at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened.”  Probably, we have made the voice of the preacher too sweet sounding if we do not allow a little loving sarcasm into the pulpit.  The Bible talks about providing a rebuke, and sarcasm has the ability to provide a ringing commentary to the people.  Maybe this rule of no sarcasm has been given because we prefer optimistic talks, rally sessions, and motivational speeches to the hard hitting word of God.  Of course, sermons must not use this method or style every week because a sermon is not a bash session, but there is a time and place, there is a moment in all congregations that the voice of the Lord must be heard, and this voice is not always a quiet lamb in the field but a roaring lion declaring himself to the people.

So I guess all those who eliminate the art of loving sarcasm in the pulpit might renounce the name of pastor, but seem to be afraid of preaching like a prophet in the church.  Imagine if you did preach like a prophet, Christians would be “cut to the heart” and this sounds painful.  Maybe we better just stick to being always nice in the pulpit.

Related posts:

1. Respect in the Pulpit

Tags:

This entry was posted by Matthew on Monday, June 14th, 2010 at 12:34 pm and is filed under Church News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.