He Lives: God's Humorous Theodicy

On David Heddle's blog, he posted a great article about what he called the two most funniest moments in the Bible.

1. When Abraham was discussing with God about sparing Sodom and Gomorrah. (Gen 18:27-32)
2. When Gideon was talking to God. (Judges 6)

I wanted to respond to this article because it really good. I liked how David points out the difference between what the Bible calls "righteous" and what we refer to as "saved" or "believers" I admit I disagree with him on his point that some people in Sodom who died could have been saved, but I do agree that none of them, or us, are righteous in the strictest Biblical sense. I'd like to think that had there been others in the city (like Lot's family) who believed and would leave the city that they would have made it too.

Here is my favorite quote from David Heddle's post:

I used to think of it this way: everybody in Sodom was wicked, all were lost. Unsaved. Reprobate. Unbelievers. Whatever term you like. But that is not necessarily the case. There may have been many saved people in Sodom—and they were annihilated along with the lost. But on that day no righteous man died. That, in fact, has happened only once.

Abraham's question to God was essentially the same as Rabbi Kushner's "Why do bad things happen to good people?" For Abraham asks, in effect, surely a holy God will not kill the righteous along with the unrighteous? God's answer to Abraham is: I won't. His answer to Rabbi Kushner is: They don't. 

Scripture agrees with this conclusion:

 ⁹What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
 ¹⁰As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
 ¹¹There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. (Romans 3:9-11, King James Version)

I also have to disagree as two the 2 funniest moments in the Bible but I agree that David's choices should be on the funny list.

1. When Jesus told his opponents that in being so careful in fine-tuning the law, they missed the point - "strain[ing] out a gnat but swallow a camel."  Why do you think Jesus' enemies got so angry? They knew they were the butt of the joke.

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. - Matthew 23:23-25

2. When Peter boldly stepped out of the boat to walk on water. Jesus had to be laughing because He knew Peter would not make it all the way. Can't you just see Jesus thinking to Himself, "Watch This."?

But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" - Matthew 14-27-31

He Lives: God's Humorous Theodicy