Bible Study humor

[EverReforming]

Hilarious moment at Bible study last night. Let me paint the picture for you:

Myself and three of my friends get together once a week for a small group Bible study. Last night's topic of discussion was Chapter 13 of the WCF, Sanctification. The guy who's turn it was to lead the week's discussion started out with an illustration, so he brings up the movie "The Princess Diaries" and details how the main character is a girl who finds out she's a princess but has to be taught to be a princess, then started to relate that to the process of sanctification.

The response was, "You're a 26 year old man, talking to a group of other grown men, why on earth are you comparing us to princesses?"

 

[LeeD]

Talk about a good illustration used in wrong situation!

 

[Ne Oublie]

That is really funny! It seems that movie had quite an impact on that young man...

 

[torstar]

I try not to be a hypocrite overall, but when the Word is being studied, there is no reason to invoke The Beatles or Seinfeld or pop culture movies.

 

[Skyler]

torstar: Are you implying that not invoking pop culture is hypocritical?

---------- Post added at 01:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:32 PM ----------

A bad example here would be Kung Fu Panda.

 

[Notthemama1984]

That is a funny story

 

[Ne Oublie]

I try not to be a hypocrite overall, but when the Word is being studied, there is no reason to invoke The Beatles or Seinfeld or pop culture movies.

I agree fully, but in all fairness, without being fully saturated with the whole counsel of God, it is quite difficult to subside these impressions. If our mind is being renewed, this will come. And if these cultured examples are being invoked in the pulpit, then they will largely be invoked in the bible studies.

And, I think the "New Calvinist" would disagree with your statement?

 

[torstar]

torstar: Are you implying that not invoking pop culture is hypocritical?

---------- Post added at 01:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:32 PM ----------

A bad example here would be Kung Fu Panda.

Very witty indeed...

I might be referring to an encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture, so I won't condemn any trace of enjoyment, but I would beseech others not to invoke references during potential means of grace.

 

[Whitefield]

"....well, if the glass slipper fits ..." .. ooops, sorry, just had to type that.

 

[KMK]

torstar: Are you implying that not invoking pop culture is hypocritical?

---------- Post added at 01:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:32 PM ----------

A bad example here would be Kung Fu Panda.

Very witty indeed...

I might be referring to an encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture, so I won't condemn any trace of enjoyment, but I would beseech others not to invoke references during potential means of grace.

The Bible is replete with cultural references. I am sure you know that already, so in order to avoid confusion, you might want to define what you mean by 'pop culture' and 'invoke'.

 

[Curt]

The sword fighting is better in The Princess Bride

 

[JennyG]

That reminds me of a gem in a book of misprints and incongruities we have. From the announcement of winners in a magazine's fiction-writing competition (genuine, I think):

".......I knew then that what I had dreaded - that I would talk under torture - was a thing of the past. I knew that I was a MAN."
The writer of that story wins our first prize of six pairs of nylons.

 

[Ne Oublie]

torstar: Are you implying that not invoking pop culture is hypocritical?

---------- Post added at 01:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:32 PM ----------

A bad example here would be Kung Fu Panda.

Very witty indeed...

I might be referring to an encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture, so I won't condemn any trace of enjoyment, but I would beseech others not to invoke references during potential means of grace.

The Bible is replete with cultural references. I am sure you know that already, so in order to avoid confusion, you might want to define what you mean by 'pop culture' and 'invoke'.

The issue is more with Pop Culture. Culture would be more a common knowledge of surroundings and circumstances amongst the people. Where Pop Culture is more intertwined with mass media.

The issue arises when using illustrations of any kind. Whatever one is using to illustrate, whether it be pop culture or not, is assuming the knowledge of the listener. This is an imposition.

In my opinion it is better to use a more common illustration from the Bible this way the listener can always reference the illustration.

 

[KMK]

Whatever one is using to illustrate, whether it be pop culture or not, is assuming the knowledge of the listener. This is an imposition.

Was it an imposition on Jesus' part to use illustrations that involve shepherds, or husbandmen, or publicans, or the Tower of Siloam? If the objection is to the use of illustrations that no one in the room is familiar with, then I totally agree, but to through out illustrations of any kind is to throughout preaching and teaching itself.

 

[Ne Oublie]

Whatever one is using to illustrate, whether it be pop culture or not, is assuming the knowledge of the listener. This is an imposition.

Was it an imposition on Jesus' part to use illustrations that involve shepherds, or husbandmen, or publicans, or the Tower of Siloam? If the objection is to the use of illustrations that no one in the room is familiar with, then I totally agree, but to through out illustrations of any kind is to throughout preaching and teaching itself.

I did not say to throw out illustrations. Again, what you mentioned that Jesus used as illustrations were more a common knowledge and cultural, not pop cultural.

Also, my point is not about throwing out the illustration by any means. It is that the illustration is just that important that it shall impose on the listener which just means that the speaker should be even more aware and discerning with what illustration he chooses to use.

 

[KMK]

Also, my point is not about throwing out the illustration by any means. It is that the illustration is just that important that it shall impose on the listener which just means that the speaker should be even more aware and discerning with what illustration he chooses to use.

Agreed. I delivered a real dud of an illustration one time. It was in reference to Mark Sanchez being drafted by the NY Jets. What was I thinking? The last place you would find hard core NFL fans is in church on Sunday! Oh that we were all Spurgeons.

 

[VictorBravo]

My only problem with popular culture references is that I don't have a clue what they are referring to. For example, I can only guess at the references brought up even in this thread. Thank God for Google or I'd have no idea the difference between "Princess Diaries" or "Princess Bride" or the significance of Kung Fu Panda. A couple years ago I had to look up the Simpsons because they were invoked regularly.

At least I had heard of the Beatles, but that was because my cousin had the "White Album" and was playing it backwards and weeping over her perception that Ringo had died.

I admit that, culturally, I'm a modern Philistine.

 

[Notthemama1984]

I admit that, culturally, I'm a modern Philistine

That isn't a bad thing really.

 

[KMK]

Be careful not to blame the teacher because you personally don't get the illustration. He is doing the best he can and sometimes the references you don't get are incredibly useful to someone else. Some of the work of understanding is incumbent on the hearer as well.

That said, I do find it inconsiderate when teachers make some cultural reference that is intended to be an inside joke. I was kind of annoyed one time years ago when a Youth Pastor, in addressing the whole church, used the phrase, "What do you want to bet I can throw this football clear over that mountain?" All of the youth laughed, but it wasn't until weeks later that I found out about the movie "Napoleon Dynamite".

 

[discipulo]

My only problem with popular culture references is that I don't have a clue what they are referring to. For example, I can only guess at the references brought up even in this thread. Thank God for Google or I'd have no idea the difference between "Princess Diaries" or "Princess Bride" or the significance of Kung Fu Panda. A couple years ago I had to look up the Simpsons because they were invoked regularly.

At least I had heard of the Beatles, but that was because my cousin had the "White Album" and was playing it backwards and weeping over her perception that Ringo had died.

I admit that, culturally, I'm a modern Philistine.

Interesting that a lot of british people use the expression Philistine without realizing its biblical root.

A small note, I think your cousin might have been worried about Paul instead, but never mind...

We all feel that way, pop culture is often a passing fad...in 50 years who will distinguish between David Carradine and Kung Fu Panda?