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The Many Faces of Biblical Humor, written by Dr. Peters, is not a book of jokes about the Bible. It is a reference work that highlights instances in which the Bible intends to be humorous. For such passages, Dr. Peters uses paraphrases of the Biblical text in order to accentuate the intended humor or irony. One could say that, "The Many Faces of Biblical Humor is a compendium of the most delightful, romantic, humorous, sarcastic, and pathetically funny stories and statements in Scripture."
However, there are some who think the Bible contains no humor:
"The Bible contains every form of literature in the highest degree, except humour. The seriousness of the main theme – man's relationship to God – and the serious cast of mind characteristic of the various writers, forbade the introduction of anything approaching hilarity." -- W. L. Phelps, Reading of the Bible, New York, 1919, p. 21.
Dr. Peters thinks this statement is itself amusing. When Jesus says in Matt. 7:3,
"How can you tell your brother that he has a little speck in his eye, when you have a big log sticking out of your own eye?"
that is hilarious! Elton Trueblood, in The Irony of Christ, says his five-year-old was the one who pointed out to him that this passage in Matthew is funny!
The Many Faces of Biblical Humor is organized as a Bible commentary, beginning with Genesis, and continuing in traditional order through the Book of Revelation. One can use it to look up a Scriptural text and then examine the humor to be found therein. Alternatively, one can open the book at random and be surprised by the humor found on any page. Or, one can read The Many Faces of Biblical Humor straight through (from cover to cover). The content flows with the theme of God's Covenant Redemption of his people. Some have even used The Many Faces of Biblical Humor as a guide for a group Bible Study.
Outline of The Many Faces of Biblical Humor
1. The Torah
2. Early History
3. The Days of the Kings
4. Wisdom Literature
5. The Prophets
6. The Synoptic Gospels
7. The Gospel of John
8. The Acts of the Apostles
9. Humor in the Letters
For a detailed Table of Contents for the book, see the following link: Table of Contents
Find The Many Faces of Biblical Humor on Amazon.
Below is a list of Dr. Peters' fourteen favorite one-liners and stories from the Bible.
Fourteen Favorites-4.pdfDr. Peters has spoken on Biblical humor at Hanley Road Baptist Church, at The Church of St. Michael and St. George, and at Emmanuel Episcopal Church (all in the St. Louis area).
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