The Humor of Christ Paperback – January 1, 1975
by Elton Trueblood (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 59 ratings
The Humor of Christ inspires Christians to redraw their pictures of Christ and to add a persistent biblical detail, the note of humor. Throughout the Gospels, Christ employed humor for the sake of truth and many of his teachings, when seen in this light, become brilliantly clear for the first time. Irony, satire, paradox, even laughter itself help clarify Christ's famous parables, His brief sayings, and important events in His life. In a valuable appendix 30 humorous Gospel passages are listed for further study.
Length 128
1975
Editorial Reviews
From the Publisher
Shows how Christ used humor in his teachings to bring a fuller appreciation of the Gospel message.
Product details
Publisher : Harper & Row; 7/16/75 edition (January 1, 1975)
Language : English
Paperback : 128 pages
Top reviews from the United States
Dennis A. Hooker
5.0 out of 5 stars Humor of Jesus - awesome!Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2011
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I had this book years ago and lost it. Now, I bought it again as reference for a book I'm writing, "Jesus - The Man (What a Guy!)"
The Humor of Christ is not a "funny" book or book of jokes told by Jesus.
I take that back - so much of what He said was said "tongue in cheek" but full of Truths. In spite of what we have been told and taught, Jesus told stories - parables, things that were full of irony and various lighter ways to present what we otherwise would overlook or forget. (ie Who can remember the 10 Commandments? - but who can forget the prodigal's son? or man alongside the road, beaten and neglected by all the holy and righteous - but rescued by a plain, simple man with a heart?)
I sometimes fall asleep reading Humor of Christ - but usually go "Wow, I didn't understand that before!" One discovers the meaning of stories that once were obscure - by seeing that they were said with that subtle humor Jesus was a Master at(no pun intended).
I highly recommend this book - it's been around for ages - and will continue to be, I'm sure.
[...]
8 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars I did not see or find the humor.Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2022
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It is an ok book. I did not find the humor of Christ that I thought I would have found. It was too scholarly for me and I have a Doctorate Degree in Jurisprudence and a minor in psychology. I think I could have written a book that actually found Christ's humorous side. It is there for anyone who actually looks for it.
One person found this helpful
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Loverofblue
3.0 out of 5 stars Challenging read but glad I finished it.Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2018
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Although this is a fairly short book, it wasn't the easiest read. But like other reviewers have stated, I'm glad I finished it. The author sought to show Christ's humor which is often lost in Christendom these days. Overall, I think the author succeeded in his objective. There were a couple of places where I thought the author read humor into stories and the words of Christ where it wasn't present but at the same time, he did open my eyes to see Christ's humor in places I had missed. Jesus did use humor more than many today probably realize. I also appreciated the many insights the author offered about the nature of humor and its importance in life. 3 stars!
8 people found this helpful
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James D. Reardon
5.0 out of 5 stars Jesus humour made him human, as well as being GodReviewed in the United States on August 2, 2016
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A rare insight into the personality and humour of Jesus Christ.
Jesus was a prophet, messiah, and a martyr to the renewal of Christian faith.
As such, he was one man fighting agains a huge religious power, as well as a Roman conquerer.
Humour, sarcasm, understatement were all used to combat the bureaucratic, dictatorial rule of the iJewish leaders
the same was true in dealing with the Roman's concern about a possible religious uprising.
In the end, his will and wisdom carried on to the establishment of the new Christianity.
Thank God he was was able to appeal to the innate goodness of those seeking redemption.
7 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
C. McNair Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars The use of humor in the BibleReviewed in the United States on March 16, 2013
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Theologian Elton Trueblood looks at the various (and numerous) forms of humor found in the Old and New Testaments while examining why we have missed or avoided it. This book is thoughtful enough for ministry professionals and engaging and easy to read for the lay person.
It all comes down to the idea that if we mist Christ's humor we will (and have) miss his point.
I have read this book at least three times and keep giving it away. There are other books on humor in the Bible and I have read several. This is my favorite.
12 people found this helpful
Nathaniel Firethorn
5.0 out of 5 stars Jesus was not a somber robot!Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2007
Verified Purchase
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.
12 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
J. Lasswell
5.0 out of 5 stars Very deep, but also funny!Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2016
Verified Purchase
I ordered this as a replacement for a copy I'd owned in the early 1970's. In spite of it being a very short book which is rendered in a language which even simple people like me can readily understand, I consider it to be one of the most significant theological texts ever written. Also, you'll sometimes laugh as you read it! I may order more copies of it in the future to give my pastors.
10 people found this helpful
P on I
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Classic Religious TitleReviewed in Canada on July 8, 2017
Verified Purchase
What a great book. I heard of this book many years ago and I waited too long to buy it.
Report
I sometimes fall asleep reading Humor of Christ - but usually go "Wow, I didn't understand that before!" One discovers the meaning of stories that once were obscure - by seeing that they were said with that subtle humor Jesus was a Master at(no pun intended).
I highly recommend this book - it's been around for ages - and will continue to be, I'm sure.
[...]
8 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars I did not see or find the humor.Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2022
Verified Purchase
It is an ok book. I did not find the humor of Christ that I thought I would have found. It was too scholarly for me and I have a Doctorate Degree in Jurisprudence and a minor in psychology. I think I could have written a book that actually found Christ's humorous side. It is there for anyone who actually looks for it.
One person found this helpful
HelpfulReport
Loverofblue
3.0 out of 5 stars Challenging read but glad I finished it.Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2018
Verified Purchase
Although this is a fairly short book, it wasn't the easiest read. But like other reviewers have stated, I'm glad I finished it. The author sought to show Christ's humor which is often lost in Christendom these days. Overall, I think the author succeeded in his objective. There were a couple of places where I thought the author read humor into stories and the words of Christ where it wasn't present but at the same time, he did open my eyes to see Christ's humor in places I had missed. Jesus did use humor more than many today probably realize. I also appreciated the many insights the author offered about the nature of humor and its importance in life. 3 stars!
8 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
James D. Reardon
5.0 out of 5 stars Jesus humour made him human, as well as being GodReviewed in the United States on August 2, 2016
Verified Purchase
A rare insight into the personality and humour of Jesus Christ.
Jesus was a prophet, messiah, and a martyr to the renewal of Christian faith.
As such, he was one man fighting agains a huge religious power, as well as a Roman conquerer.
Humour, sarcasm, understatement were all used to combat the bureaucratic, dictatorial rule of the iJewish leaders
the same was true in dealing with the Roman's concern about a possible religious uprising.
In the end, his will and wisdom carried on to the establishment of the new Christianity.
Thank God he was was able to appeal to the innate goodness of those seeking redemption.
7 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
C. McNair Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars The use of humor in the BibleReviewed in the United States on March 16, 2013
Verified Purchase
Theologian Elton Trueblood looks at the various (and numerous) forms of humor found in the Old and New Testaments while examining why we have missed or avoided it. This book is thoughtful enough for ministry professionals and engaging and easy to read for the lay person.
It all comes down to the idea that if we mist Christ's humor we will (and have) miss his point.
I have read this book at least three times and keep giving it away. There are other books on humor in the Bible and I have read several. This is my favorite.
12 people found this helpful
Nathaniel Firethorn
5.0 out of 5 stars Jesus was not a somber robot!Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2007
Verified Purchase
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.
12 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
J. Lasswell
5.0 out of 5 stars Very deep, but also funny!Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2016
Verified Purchase
I ordered this as a replacement for a copy I'd owned in the early 1970's. In spite of it being a very short book which is rendered in a language which even simple people like me can readily understand, I consider it to be one of the most significant theological texts ever written. Also, you'll sometimes laugh as you read it! I may order more copies of it in the future to give my pastors.
10 people found this helpful
P on I
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Classic Religious TitleReviewed in Canada on July 8, 2017
Verified Purchase
What a great book. I heard of this book many years ago and I waited too long to buy it.
Report
