Dr Paul Allen

Image via Wikipedia "Then Job replied: Doubtless you are the people and wisdom will die with you." ( Job 12:1-2 )   It is remarkable that the Bible , with its great variety of literary forms and numerous personal conversations and discourses, contains very few examples of sarcasm or satire .   Nevertheless, the few examples of biblical irony are well worth noting, with one of the most notable being Job's response as above to the self-righteous platitudes of his three philosophizing "friends."  In their intellectual and moral arrogance and with no real understanding of God 's purposes, these critics were far out of line and well deserved Job's cutting sarcasm.  Examples of such combined spiritual ignorance and intellectual arrogance are not hard to find today and, occasionally perhaps, a satirical commentary may be effective in changing them or preventing their effect.   One other well-known case of biblical sarcasm is Elijah 's taunting monologue t...

Image via Wikipedia "Then Job replied: Doubtless you are the people and wisdom will die with you." ( Job 12:1-2 )   It is remarkable that the Bible , with its great variety of literary forms and numerous personal conversations and discourses, contains very few examples of sarcasm or satire .   Nevertheless, the few examples of biblical irony are well worth noting, with one of the most notable being Job's response as above to the self-righteous platitudes of his three philosophizing "friends."  In their intellectual and moral arrogance and with no real understanding of God 's purposes, these critics were far out of line and well deserved Job's cutting sarcasm.  Examples of such combined spiritual ignorance and intellectual arrogance are not hard to find today and, occasionally perhaps, a satirical commentary may be effective in changing them or preventing their effect.   One other well-known case of biblical sarcasm is Elijah 's taunting monologue t...