Saints and Comedians

Last updated on: April 25, 2022 at 2:59 pm by Jordan Hathcock

Saints and Comedians 2022-04-25T14:59:17-07:00 Jordan Hathcock

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

It seems the tension between saints and sinners is, was, and always will be an enigma for Christians. The Jesus tradition has a history of horrible and wonderful acts within society. We seem to always bring about the worst or best in people (I guess you can say that about any religion, right?). From developing hospice care to witch trials/burnings – we always are taking the lead to social evolution or digression.

People will argue that Christianity has only produced horrible consequences (I get it). It’s hard to not see the negative within the difficult history of the Jesus movement. But I think you can look at it more loosely and see that noting is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. Yes, some mistakes are larger than others, for sure. This is not to ignore the detrimental effects but maybe a move forward with a demeanor of humor.

The comic scene has always been irreverent in all the right ways. A good comedian always will shed light on uncomfortable topics in order to find hope. Like a good roast. This can be edgy and sometimes pushes the boundary too far, but it does show us the humanity in it all. What if we can bring more laughs instead of catastrophes? You’re telling me Christians wouldn’t be better off laughing at an inappropriate joke instead of a pastors sex scandal?

Being a sinner is our lot in life. We are not going to be able to shake it. We can dive into what sin is and all of that and I do a little bit here. It’s simply not participating in the healing and liberation of others and ourselves (not loving, I guess). We need to let go of always being the sin police and be more like comedians.

In The Atlantic article by Olga Khazan, we see how the comedic disposition has evolved:

“Hobbes and Plato took the playground perspective, suggesting that making fun helps us feel superior to others. Kant and later psychologists though it was about a cognitive shift that moves a serious situation into playful territory. In 1905, Freud suggested that humor was the fun-loving id making itself known despite the protestations of the conformist superego. A few years ago, psychologist Daniela S. Hugelshofer suggested that humor acts as a buffer against depression and hopelessness.”

Yes! This joy state of mind is no stranger to comedy. The yin and yang between sorrow and happiness is a constant catalyst for good humor. We should never have to be pulled into some type of dualism when it comes to creating new ways of balancing the sinner and saint within a religious sphere.

This transformative newness often doesn’t seem realistic at first. How can we spark a new demeanor if we don’t believe in each other? If we are not ready to show grace with all fellow Jesus people, how the hell do we expect to be with everyone else? I remember the way I laugh at a new comedy bit/sketch is so refreshing but still it’s familiar. I laugh at funny shit all the time but it’s still such an enjoyable and resurrecting experience. Within the Jesus tradition, our ancient celebrations have been a huge part of how we participate in this faith. It is a hard thing to grasp when one comes to the threshold of an unknown road.

Do we panic? Do we push back? What do we grab on to when experiencing this unfamiliar and turbulent route? I don’t know for sure, but it does seem like the more we experience chaos, the more we scramble for answers. Maybe instead of demanding answers, we start asking questions that are more relevant with the path in front of us? As Walter Brueggemann says this in regard to desiring newness:

“Numb people do not discern or fear death. Conversely, despairing people do not anticipate or receive newness.”, The Prophetic Imagination pg. 60

Let us not despair people! We are to ingulf ourselves in the faith of joy to avoid the darkness to take over. We can find a better way of dealing with each other’s good, bad and ugly facades by letting go of the impossible trait of being a saint. The sainthood dilemma comes when we think we know all that is good and we don’t trust in God who is good. Why are we trying to be God and judging others by looking at the bad when God only sees good? For the love of God people, come out of this dead-end road and find the comedian. It may just allow us to enjoy the show instead of booing our little asses off.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

April 16, 2022

Saturday Satire

Next Post

April 28, 2022 Pastor Roasting

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 August 2025 June 2025 April 2024 March 2024 January 2024 December 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 January 2023 December 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 June 2021 February 2021 January 2021 November 2020 September 2020 July 2020 May 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz