Whether Christians Should Ever Mock Anyone

The Garrett Ashley Mullet Show

It’s a curious thing that the psalmist tells us God laughs before responding angrily to those who rebel against Him. And is that the order of operations? A ridiculous thing is done by wicked, foolish men, then comes the mocking. Then comes the wrath.

For that matter, there is some dispute over whether mockery by Christians is ever appropriate. The Babylon Bee crowd has made their position known. But so also, there are plenty of quieter voices in the Church who grimace at the idea that we would ever make fun of sin and folly, however absurd.

Their position is that such is not loving nor respectful. Aren’t we supposed to always be ready to give an answer with gentleness and respect? And aren’t we warned repeatedly in the Scriptures against scoffing?

On that latter point, it’s worth noting that we are to be ready to answer those asking us for the reason of the hope within us. Yet in my experience, such folks are not typically in the same category as those who could more rightly be classified as the dogs and swine to whom we are to give neither our pearls nor what is holy.

At a minimum, then, it is safe to say we ought never to mock simple, innocent questions about our faith from those who are on the outside looking in. If they come to us wanting to know more about our Savior, we should not put them down or make jokes at their expense. In stead, we should be kind and patient, and clear as well, as we state plainly who Christ is and why we love and trust him.

But what about the dogs? What about the swine? Jesus says to not give them our pearls or what is holy. But in order to obey him here, we have to know who the pigs and canines are. And if he called them such, and was tempted in all ways as we are yet without sin, will it be said that we are necessarily sinning if we agree with him on our way?

Imagine I sent my sons on an errand through the woods, and told them to watch out for wolves in sheep clothes – a rather amusing word picture when you think about it. It would hardly do if they nodded agreeably while I was with them, then as soon as they got out of earshot turned to one another in confusion.

‘What’s a wolf?’

Then a shrug.

‘I don’t know!’

I think this might just be the way many Christians most squeamish about satire and mockery carry on when one of our number gets a bit more candid than the rest. Jesus can say that there are, generally speaking, broods of vipers and wolves in sheep-clothes, plus swine and doggos. But if we start to get more specific talking about who they might be, that is a travesty.

Yet how can we do as Jesus tells us to with regards to these types of people if we never under any circumstances dare to point them out or define them? And for that matter, what is the appropriate response to such brute beasts when we encounter them if not occasional sarcasm?

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