Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com

Scripture: Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
“How can I,” the eunuch replied, “unless someone explains it to me.” Acts 30-31 , NIV
I’ve been reading a collection of humor and anecdotes about the “famous and near famous” published by Bennet Cerf in 1952. My, how things have changed in fifty years! Few of the “famous” are still living, including Mr. Cerf himself. While some stories and jokes retain their humor well over the years, many others depend upon some knowledge of the personality at the base of the story. For those of us who recall the days of radio, and “stars” such as Jack Benny, Fred Allen, and Ed Wynn, the anecdotes perhaps remind us of other antics and memories of the times. We laugh because we remember.
I tried playing tapes of some of the old radio programs to students in my ‘Radio TV’ classes. Invariably, they would inquire, “Where are the pictures?” Topics that were hilarious at the time fall flat today, because the context is lost. The phrase, “Wanna’ buy a duck?” was in everybody's’ ears, and on everybody's’ lips, in the ‘thirties, but was passé by the ‘forties.
When is the last time you heard a traveling salesman called a ‘drummer’? Today’s child would immediately think of a rock band; most older folks would likely wrinkle their brows and think more toward musicians than salesmen. Traveling salesman/drummer stories tend to be a bit bawdy for polite company, anyway.
Armed Forces stories were popular in 1952. Memories of “The Big One” were still fresh, the draft was in full effect, and Korea was topping the news of the day. Jokes that begin, “A gawky new draftee . . .” don’t register with the current generation. A joke about “two effeminate-looking young men,” was fair game then; totally unacceptable today.
Many jokes were based on ethnic themes, and could be pretty stinging. Many a person has gotten into trouble today for the humor of yesterday that is now considered to be a slur or defamation of character. Even presidents and political candidates have been caught up in this one.
A good maxim to follow: “Never say anything you don’t want to be heard.” Better yet, don’t even think it! Proverbs 21:23 says it well; “He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself from calamity.”
One of the dangers of familiarity with a topic is that we forget that others may not have any idea what we are talking about. We Christians sometimes babble on about salvation and justification, grace and righteousness - terms totally unfamiliar to those we are trying to reach.
The first ‘commandment’ for speakers and teachers is, “Know your topic well.” The second, and no less important, is, “Consider your audience!” How will they understand unless you fill in all the gaps in their knowledge.
October 20, 2002