Who can come up with a few places in the Bible where God is really sarcastic...
From my Webster's:
Sarcasmn [F or LL; F
sarcasme, fr. LL
sarcasmos, fr. Gk
sarkasmos, fr.
sarkazein to tear flesh, bite the lips in rage, sneer, fr.
sark-, sarx- flesh; akin to Av
thwares- to cut] (1579)
1: a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain <tired of his contemptuous ~s>
2 a: a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usu. directed against an individual
b: the use or language of sarcasm <this is no time to engage in ~s>
Sarcastic...
syn SARCASTIC, SATIRIC, IRONIC, SARDONIC mean marked by bitterness and a power or will to cut or sting. SARCASTIC implies an intentional inflicting of pain by deriding, taunting, or ridiculing <a critic famous mainly for his
sarcastic remarks> SATIRIC implies that the intent of the ridiculing is censure and reprobation <a satiric look at contemporary sexual mores> IRONIC implies an attempt to be amusing or provocative by saying usu. the opposite of what is meant <made the
ironic observation that the government could always be trusted> SARDONIC implies scorn, mockery, or derision that is manifested by either verbal or facial expression <surveyed the scene with a
sardonic smile>
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God certainly has the right to be sarcastic, but it behooves us all to be very careful that we do not use God as an excuse for simply engaging in self-indulgent behavior. Are there times when sarcasm is appropriate from a servant of God? Probably, but that servant must
know, and not merely presume the mind of God in the matter, because man looks upon the appearance, but only God sees the heart, and woe to any who presumptuously cause one of His little ones to stumble.
But wait-- Should we reject one who seeks to serve God because we find fault with his/her delivery? Well, that would be unwise. Verne or Brent got a little sharp with me, so i'm not going to read their posts any more? Let's be real... temper is not heresy.
i came to this BB (by invitation) thinking to make a contribution. A few have said they were blest by my posts. But far and away, the greater benefits have been mine. There are truly gifted teachers and pastors on board here. This is Bible college at home at our convenience, if you will.
Some may have supposed that after i was lambasted on this board a few weeks ago, i tucked tail and disappeared, because i stopped posting. And i'll admit that i was feeling badly about the things that were said. i took a little time off from the BB to reconsider my thinking, to study the issues, and to pray about them without further stirring my emotions by reading the BB. Then i returned to read, but didn't post, so as not to stir controversy.
Now, without my input, the BB has returned to a similar topic as the one that put me in the doghouse. My point in this post is to state that at no time have i rejected anyone who has posted opinions or positions contrary to my own. How can one be instructed unless one is prepared to learn things uncomfortable to hear? And these brothers and sisters, even if they have rejected me (which most have not), have not rejected Christ. How, then, should i not want to hear them?
My opinion of how to address God's people, with respect and dignity, has not changed. If anything, it is stronger than before, because i allowed myself the indulgenge of answering in-kind those who i perceived as disrespectful toward me and, worse, i initiated some exchange of words in a state of anger far short of the righteous kind, and i was wrong in so doing.
This is not about being nice. This is about treating the people of God as we would treat the Lord Himself, for having done it to the least of His brethren, we have done it unto Him. And if we may entertain angels unaware, guess what: we won't be aware of it! So let's be careful not to cause undue offenses.
Quote from Brent Tr0ckman:
As you know, I am all for discussion, passion and honesty...
Yes, and i think we are all grateful for that, and for what we have gained because of it.
What i propose is that this business about kindness and gentleness and sarcasm and such
is a discussion, and that it is being conducted, sometimes passionately, and hopefully in honesty. More important than winning the argument is to learn from the exchange. Surely there is Truth to be seen, and the Holy Spirit in us to lead us into all of it.
Gratefully,
al Hartman
