Old MacDonald's Bookstore

Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.

And in this store he had some fiction, e-i-e-i-o.

            With a giggle here

            And big sigh there,

            Here a tear, there a chill,

            Everywhere a heart’s fill.

Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.

Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.

And in this store he had romances, e-i-e-i-o.

            With a couple here,

            And hand-holding there,

            Here a slap, there a kiss,

            Everywhere wedded bliss.

Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.

 
Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.

And in this store he had suspense, e-i-e-i-o.

            With a shadow here

            And a bad guy there,

            Here a gun, there a race,

            Everywhere a car chase.

Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.

Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.

And in this store he had westerns, e-i-e-i-o.

            With a cowboy here

            And a shootout there,

            Here a horse, there a train,

            Everywhere a broken pane.

Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.

And in this store he had sci-fi, e-i-e-i-o.

            With a space ship here

            And aliens there,
            Here a phaser, there a robot,
            Everywhere are gadgets sought.
Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.

Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.

And in this store he had mysteries, e-i-e-i-o.
            With a murder here
            And a suspect there,
            Here the means, there some clues
            Everywhere case reviews.
Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.

Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.
And in this store he had woman’s fiction, e-i-e-i-o.
            With a girlfriend here
            And a husband there,
            Here a child, there a fight
            Everywhere the daily plight.
Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.

Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.

And in this store he had some horror, e-i-e-i-o.
           With a demon here
            And a locked door there,
            Here a scream, there a bump,
            Everywhere heart’s thump-thump.
Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.
 
Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.
And in this store he had historicals, e-i-e-i-o.
            With a carriage here
            And cobblestone there,
            Here a frock, there a corset,
            Everywhere dust and sweat.
Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.
 
Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.
And in this store he had fantasies, e-i-e-i-o.
            With a castle here
            And a dragon there
            Here a sword, there a bow,
            Everywhere a monstrous foe.
Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.
 
Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.
And in this store he had some fiction, e-i-e-i-o.
            With a giggle here
            And big sigh there,
            Here a tear there a chill
            Everywhere a heart’s fill.
Old MacDonald had a bookstore, e-i-e-i-o.

Humor Exercise

Discernment requires practice and good principles are useful only in as far as they are employed. So here’s your chance to apply what we’ve been learning about humor:

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to pick a favorite piece of humor—whether movie, book, article, or something else—and analyze it with the following questions:

Why does this piece make you laugh? Why do you find it funny?

Does it meet the definition of humor (the juxtaposition of two unexpected or incongruous elements)?

What kind of humor was employed? (E.g. wordplay, slapstick, spoof, sarcasm, etc.)

What does this piece mock—attitudes and actions or position, person, and intelligence?

Are the things mocked good or evil? Can you prove they are good or evil scripturally?

Does the humor employ exaggeration?

Is respect maintained? Are serious topics treated with dignity?

Does this piece use good humor, why or why not?

Do you need to change how you perceive/indulge in this piece or the humor it contains? If so, how are you going to affect those changes?

Humor in a Nutshell

Definition: The juxtaposition of two (or more) unexpected or incongruous elements

Philippians 4:8 Analysis: Containing a reflection of reality—albeit a slightly distorted one like a funhouse mirror (true), humor is a gift of God to be used and enjoyed (right), often pleasing to the sense and moving to the heart (lovely). Is it any wonder then that people who make us laugh are well-liked (admirable)? Nonetheless, humor can be corrupted, as sometimes it treats people and topics with dignity and sometimes it does not (noble). As a result it can contaminate us (pure). Therefore we need to seek good humor and shun the bad.

The Marks of Good Humor:
--It mocks what is evil, not what is good.
--It mocks attitudes and actions, not office/position, intelligence or person.
--It exaggerates.
--And most of all, it is respectful at its core.

Marks of Good Humor, Part 8

Of the video clips I have posted thus far, the one from Sister Act is probably the most questionable. It probably will rankle the nerve of a few, and some could dismiss it as sacrilegious.

But although this clip may walk the edge, I don’t consider it sacrilegious. Why?

Because while Deloris may not want to be there, nothing she says is intended to be disrespectful. If anything, it’s her striving to be respectful and show admiration (insincere as it may be) that’s so funny. She’s not trying to insult, but everything comes out wrong because of her background. So this is more a mockery of her loose lifestyle than it is of God and the church.

And in this we see portrayed our last principle, the one creating the most definitive line in humor: Good humor is respect-based; bad humor is not.

Marks of Good Humor, Part 7

Okay, time for anothe video clip. This time we're looking at Sister Act, where the main protagonist, a lounge singer turned witness to murder, must face the Mother Superior for the first time:

So any thoughts? Is this good humor, why or why not?

Disclaimer: Sister Act, ©2001 by Touchstone Pictures, is used under the fair use provisions of the United States Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C §107, for educational and critical purposes.

Marks of Good Humor, Part 6

Drumroll, please...the Tom & Jerry clip I posted a few weeks ago I classified as...

Good humor.

Okay. I can see some of you smiling. And you want to know--why is that?

The answer is simple: Because it’s not real.

But didn’t I say that one of the marks of good fiction is that it’s true—that it conforms to reality?

I did. And I would say it is humor’s non-reality that allows it to conform to that very standard: through exaggeration we begin to see the reality of the situation that we might not want to recognize otherwise and the truth being conveyed by the humor.

Let’s face it—a cat playing a piano like Tom isn’t realistic. Or that a mouse could play the end of Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsody” with only two broken hammers from the same piano. Yet it rings true because of the attitudes displayed: Tom’s annoyance at Jerry; Jerry’s determination to outplay Tom; Tom’s panic over maintaining appearances, even going to ridiculous extremes to pull it off.

Each of these attitudes, and resulting actions, are very real. In fact, we all can recognize ourselves in these things. (Anyone out there have a competitive streak? Have concerns over appearances?) But none of us are insulted because the ridiculousness of the situation. And with it seeming so far from our “real” world—after all, we aren’t that bad—we open ourselves to learn the lesson of the scene.

So I would define another mark of good humor as exaggeration: it mirrors reality in a manner so extreme or absurd that we would be crazy ourselves to be insulted by the truth reflected.

Humor Refresher

Okay, I’ve had a month off from regular blogging, so let’s quickly review where we’re at:

During the past few months we’ve been working through the practical application of discernment to humor.

Humor, like many things, is a gray area. Some types of humor are good and healthy. Other forms are quite corruptive. So how do we know which is which? What are the marks of good humor?

First, we saw from a clip in Eloise at Christmastime that good humor mocks what is evil, not what is good.

Then, by comparing Gaston from Beauty and the Beast to Lina Lamont of Singin' in the Rain, we discovered that good humor mocks attitudes and actions, not office/position, intelligence or person.

Finally, the last thing I posted was a clip from a Tom & Jerry cartoon, Cat Concerto. But what kind of humor do they exhibit? And why?

Leave a comment with your thoughts and then next week I’ll post a few of mine.

Marks of Good Humor, Part 5

Okay, it's time for another video clip. This time it is part of a Tom and Jerry cartoon, Cat Concerto:

Is this good humor, why or why not? What principles might we pull from this?

Disclaimer: The Cat Concerto, ©2000 by Warner Home Video, is used under the fair use provisions of the United States Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C §107, for educational and critical purposes.

Marks of Good Humor, Part 4

Last week we considered the humor in a clip from the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast.

Now, from our previous clip (Eloise at Christmastime), we gathered there is nothing wrong with mockery…as long as it mocks what is evil. In Beauty and the Beast, mockery is again at work. But what is being mocked?

At first it may appear Gaston is being mocked for a lack of intelligence. Yet when you watch the whole movie, you see that Gaston is quite smart and very skilled when he wants to be.

So what is really being mocked here? I would say it would be Gaston’s pure, raw arrogance—his belief that he is irresistible to any woman. From the outside, we quickly see that’s not true, which is why Gaston seems to be lacking some brains. But in truth he is simply so arrogant that he has become blinded to anything else. And this arrogance, which is wrong, is what the humor targets.

It is much like the way Jesus used hyperbole and sarcasm to mock the hypocrisy of the Pharisees in Matthew 23: “You blink guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.” (verse 24) Christ was not mocking the Pharisees’ intelligence or the religious office they held, but the ridiculous incongruity of their actions.

So how can you tell when actions or attitudes are the humor’s target? Because if you can change the gender, occupation, time period, and/or location (for example, from a male hunter in medieval France to a female actress in 1920 Hollywood), the humor would still be valid:

So the second mark of good humor is that it mocks attitudes and actions—not office/position, intelligence or person.

Disclaimer: Singin' in the Rain, ©2002 by Warner Home Video, is used under the fair use provisions of the United States Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C §107, for educational and critical purposes.

Marks of Good Humor, Part 3

Okay, time for another video clip! This time we're doing an excerpt from Disney's Beauty and the Beast, part of the first conversation between Gaston and Belle:



So...is it good humor? Why or why not? And what principles about humor can we pull from this?

Disclaimer: Beauty and the Beast (Special Plantinum Edition), ©2002 by Walt Disney Video, is used under the fair use provisions of the United States Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C §107, for educational and critical purposes.

Marks of Good Humor, Part 2

I don't know about you, but I love the Eloise movies. While she is very much a willful and spoiled child who is given her way far too often, you can't help be attracted to her big heart, zeal for life, and the innocent way she cuts to the core of a matter--not to mention she makes you laugh along the way.

Last week, I posted a clip from the second movie, Eloise at Christmastime, along with three questions, since we're currently studying humor: Was the clip good humor? Why or why not? What principles can we draw from this?

Overall, I believe this clip reflects good humor, the one profanity aside. Why? Because there is something true, something right, in watching snobbish and sharp-tongued Prunella being dressed down by the owner's daughter. As Eloise herself puts it, "Please tell me you're loving this as much as I am."

Again, why? Why does this ring true? Because good humor pokes fun at wrong thoughts, attitudes and actions--snobbery in this case. As it says in Psalm 2, "The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One," (v. 2), and at this God laughs (v. 4). Such arrogance and defiance in the face of an all-powerful God--that kind of attitude is laughable because from the outside, it is ridiculous.

And therein lies the power of humor--what we laugh at we also tend to withdraw from, for fear of being laughed at ourselves. The difference between good humor and bad, then, is not that we laugh at something, but rather at what we are laughing, and therefore subconsciously withdrawing from.

Thus, we have the first principle of good humor: It mocks what is evil, not what is good.

Marks of Good Humor, Part 1

We've been looking at the concept of humor in these Monday posts. We shown it to be a gray area, with both good and bad. So how do we tell them apart? What are some of the marks of good humor?

Perhaps the best way to figure that out is to consider some humor itself. First up, Eloise at Christmastime. (If you are unfamiliar with this movie, what has basically occurred is that the six-year-old heroine has arranged for one of the waitstaff at her 5-star hotel to spend some extra time with the owner's daughter by making sure the very stuffy and punctual Prunella is late for the meeting with the owner's daughter.)

So is this good humor or bad? Why? What principles can we pull from this? My thoughts on it next week.

Disclaimer: Eloise at Christmastime, ©­­2004 by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., is used under the fair use provisions of the United States Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C §107, for educational and critical purposes.

The Bible on Humor

Humor is a part of life. We find it at work and school, in our homes and church, in the media. Some of the humor is good. Some of it is not. So how do we tell the difference?

Before we dive into specific principles, let’s look at what the Bible says in general about humor and the laughter it evokes:

Ecclesiastes 3:4 “A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”

While laughter and humor are not appropriate at all times, there is a definite place for them in our life, and without them our lives would be unbalanced.

Proverbs 17:22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Laughter is healthy, a gift from God for us to enjoy. And humor supplies us an opportunity to laugh.

Proverbs 14:13 “Even in laughter the heart my ache, and joy may end in grief.”

However, we can also hide behind humor, to avoid being vulnerable, especially when we are hurting.

Ephesians 5:4 “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”

And like any gift from God, humor can be twisted and corrupted, which is never good.

Luke 6:21b “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”
Psalm 126:5-6 “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.”

Though we will face seasons of grief, God intends the ultimate end to be laughter and joy. And where there is laughter and joy, I imagine at least some glints of humor will also be. For while joy is not equal to laughter and humor, is it truly joy if it is completely and always humorless and without laughter?

Philippians 4:8 on Humor: A Summary

Humor: The juxtaposition of two or more incongruous or unexpected elements

We’ve looked at humor through the lens of Philippians 4:8 during the past few weeks, and through that lens we’ve discovered how much humor is truly a gray area:

Most of us see humor as having a good reputation (admirable), and while it may not imitate reality directly, an element of reality must exist for us to find it funny, making it a great vehicle for truth (true). Likewise, we know God has a sense of humor and employed it on a number of occasions in Scripture and in the world He created (right).

But humor can be corrupted. While people and serious subjects may be treated with respect, it can also insult (noble). It can please or offend the senses and the heart (lovely). And depending on the type of humor, it could contaminate us if we ourselves employed it (pure).

The result? Humor both good and bad can be executed well (excellence), and whether it will glorify God (praiseworthy) depends on the type of humor, the manner it is presented, and the subject targeted by the humor.

Philippians 4:8 on Humor, Part 2

Humor: The juxtaposition of two (or more) unexpected or incongruous elements.

A couple weeks ago, we studied the first three qualities of Philippians 4:8 (true, noble, right) and how humor lines up with them. But there are still three more basic qualities to consider: pure, lovely, admirable.

Is humor pure? (Pure: That which will not contaminate us—cause us to sin—if we should employ it in our own lives)

Ah, another “it depends” answer!

On one hand, we are instructed not to engage in course joking or other crude language (Ephesians 5:4), but as we saw under “right,” both God the Father and Christ used humor without contamination. So whether the humor is pure truly depends on the methods and types of humor employed.

Is it lovely? (Lovely: Pleasing to the senses or moves the heart toward love/affection)

Ever listened to a Marx Brothers’ play-on-words conversation? Or Abott and Costello’s “Who’s On First”? Or a Danny Kaye monologue? If you have, then you know how pleasing to the ear humor can be.

Likewise, slapstick. When properly choreographed, it is amazing how fluid and even beautiful it can appear, like the fist fight from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers or some of the exaggerated scenes of martial arts.

As for moving the heart, humor is a great way to make us want to distance ourselves from evil and align ourselves with good.

But humor can be the reverse, pulling us away from good and coarse in sight and sound. Again, much depends on the how.

Is it admirable? (Admirable: Something spoken well of; a good reputation)

While it is changing, people who can make us laugh are often viewed in a positive light.

And that completes the basic qualities of Philippians 4:8, which I’ll soon wrap up with the summary and overriding qualities (excellent & praiseworthy). In the meantime, what do you think? What kind of gray area is humor? How should we handle it?

Philippians 4:8 on Humor, Part 1

Humor: The juxtaposition of two or more unexpected or incongruous items.

Now that we know what humor is, we need to determine what God thinks about it. First, does humor carry the qualities worth dwelling on listed in Philippians 4:8?

Is it true? (True: That which conforms to reality or reveals truth)

Good or bad, humor is a part of our world. So if all stories lacked any humor, the picture would be incomplete.

But more than that, while humor itself often doesn’t mirror reality, an element of reality must exist, even if exaggerated. Without it humor doesn’t ring true, and in fact, that element of reality is often what makes the humor funny.

As for revealing truth, what better way to display it than with a form that breaches defenses because it is one step removed from reality?

Is it noble? (Noble: Characters acting with dignity and serious topics dealt with respect)

This one is tough. Some humor does deal with serious topics yet does it with respect. Think of the scene out of Enchanted where Giselle learns Robert’s clients are divorcing. The divorce is treated as the serious problem it is, yet the extreme reaction of Giselle causes humor to exist in the scene.

On the other hand, there’s plenty of humor that stripes dignity from anyone or anything. Turn on the television on any particular day and it probably won’t take you long to find some.

So the answer to this is mixed, marking humor a true gray area with humor both bad and good.

Is it right? (Right: The conformity to the will, standards and character of God)

Will & Standard: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

No, joy and laughter are not interchangeable. Laughter can be joyless and joy doesn’t always involve laughter or even happiness for that matter. However, is joy truly joy if there’s never laughter? And humor is one of the primary instigators of laughter.

Character: “The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.” Psalm 2:4

God has a well-developed sense of humor. He employs sarcasm in Job 28-41, sarcasm and hyperbole in Matthew 23, and plays on words in John 3. Besides, have you ever studied creation? Consider the platypus and tell me He doesn’t have a sense of humor…

What is Humor?

Slapstick. Play-on-words. Situation comedy. Sarcasm. Hyperbole.

The list for humor could go on and on. It penetrates every walk of life, every culture, every time. Some humor deals with actions. Some deals with words. Still other humor touches on attitudes and ideologies. Humor is almost as diverse as humanity itself.

How then can we boil this into a single definition?

Most people say humor is what sparks a laugh. Yet this definition is nebulous at best, and while humor does make us laugh, not all laughter comes from humor.

So what element unites all the different brands of humor?

It’s the unexpected.

Somehow what makes humor humor is the way it tricks the brain into thinking you’re going one way and then wham! You’re yanked into a u-turn through an unusual link, whether through a word’s double meaning or a flip of circumstances. And laughter results.

So what is humor?

In short it is the juxtaposition of two or more unexpected or incongruous elements.