By Al Speegle, Jr.
Online Extra, October 2004

WARNING: Reader assumes full responsibility for the proper and prescribed use of this site. For external use only. Discontinue if rash, redness, irritation, or swelling develops. If swallowed, do not induce vomiting. Side-effects may include drowsiness or mild to severe agitation. Do not read while operating heavy machinery. Keep away from open flame. Do not store above 475 degrees. Do not use near or place in water.

This legal disclaimer on James Watkins' Web site (www.jameswatkins.com) should also warn "habit forming" and just a bit "dangerous." Jim is an author, speaker, part-time youth pastor, husband, dad, and self-described "threat to society." What makes him so dangerous is his felonious faith and sinister sense of humor.

DOOR: Help me understand this? You're an ordained minister from a very conservative denomination who writes a syndicated column for secular newspapers on such topics as "The Guy's Guide to Sensational Sex: Treat Her Like a Classic Car" and "Why Are Guys Such Boobs About Breasts?" And you write books about... S-E-X?
WATKINS: That does sound a bit schizophrenic doesn't it? I probably ought to get some therapy. But I justify it by my mission statement that reads "To communicate the Gospel of Christ in as creative and effective manner as possible with as many people as possible." So, I'm passionate about taking the Word to the world. And humor – as always – is one language that everyone can understand.
DOOR: What about humor makes it "effective" in reaching people with the Gospel?
WATKINS: First, humor breaks down barriers between people. If you can share a laugh with someone, you've connected with that person. The defenses come down, and there's a desire to continue the dialog. And secondly, humor is "laughing gas." You're not going to stay in the dentist's chair and allow him or her to drill away on a root canal unless you're hopped up with plenty of anesthetic. So humor is the laughing gas that allows us to drill away at the abscessed areas of another person's life.
      The German philosopher Arthur Schopenhaur claimed laughter is – and I quote – the "sudden perception of incongruity" between our ideals and our behavior. You can get away with so much more using humor than you can with preaching. That's why G. K. Chesterton wrote – I've got it here somewhere – "I am all in favor of laughing. Laughing has something in common with the ancient words of faith and inspiration; it unfreezes pride and unwinds secrecy; it makes men forget themselves in the presence of something greater than themselves."
DOOR: The big question, does God have a sense of humor?
WATKINS: Definitely! Elton Trueblood wrote a wonderful book called The Humor of Christ. Jesus was a 1st century stand-up comedian.
DOOR: ?
WATKINS: Really! "Hyperbole" or intentional exaggeration was the hip humor in that time. So, Jesus would have had them rolling on the hillsides with his comments about looking for a "speck of sawdust in a brother's eye" while having a "plank" in our own. And I can just imagine the multitudes roaring when he told the Pharisees they would "strain out a gnat but swallow a camel." Or how 'bout camels squeezing through the "eye of a needle?" Or putting a lamp – an open flame – under a bed – a flat, flammable mat at the time. Unfortunately, a literal translation of Christ's words doesn't capture the cultural comedy that's really there.
      (Editors note: At this point Jim slips into one of his many characters, taking on his comedy club persona: "Thank thee, thank thee, Thou hast been a great audience!" He also does a great TV evangelist, "Brother Bob Blessing." Hear him in .mp3 format on his Web site.)
DOOR: Hmmm, that's why all your books, your newspaper columns, and Web site are all filled with humor?
WATKINS: Yeah. I heard someone at a youth worker's convention – way back during the Polyester Age – say, "It's a sin to make the gospel boring." I've always instinctively known that humor was powerful method to share the Gospel. The speakers I remember most – and who had the greatest impact on my life – were sort of stand-up theologians. So, that's always been my approach in my writing. But it wasn't until I was taking a grad class on communications at a secular university that I discovered that this is not only good theology. It's terrific psychology as well. One study showed how humor could increase retention of information in an Economics class. Now there's a real sleeper of a class. Students in the class where the prof used humor, scored significantly higher than students in the class where the prof simply presented the same information, but with no humor. So, if I'm going to be "effective," I'm going to use all the tools available, and humor is a heavy duty, high-voltage power tool. Arrrgh! Arrrgh! Arrrgh!
DOOR: You wrote a chapter about humor in Susan Titus Osborn's A Complete Guide to Writing for Publication. You said "It's hard to laugh when you feel like a deflated whoopie cushion. The writer of Ecclesiastes claims there's a 'time to weep and a time to laugh.' But sometimes, it's awfully hard for us to tell the difference." Can you write humor on any subject?
WATKINS: I think so, but you've got to be really careful. For instance, I was asked by Tyndale House to write a book for teens about death. I'd signed the contract and cashed the advance when my editor called to say, "Oh, yeah, Jim make sure you use a lot of humor. We don't want it to be too depressing." A book about death! And the publisher wanted it to be funny?! That was a challenge, but I think I pulled it off since it won a "Campus Life Book of the Year" award."
DOOR: Okay, so how exactly did you do it?
WATKINS: For instance in an early chapter about how many teens die each year – now there's a cheery subject – I started out by telling some of the really stupid things I did as a teen that should have gotten me killed, like trying to make home-made rocket fuel. Then I made the segue by writing, "It's a wonder I'm alive to write this book, and it's a wonder you're alive to read it." In another chapter on overcoming denial about death, I listed all sorts of really dumb euphemisms for death and then noted how important it is to acknowledge that the loved one has DIED.
DOOR: So you write humorous books on some really serious subjects?
WATKINS: Hey, is this where I get to shamelessly promote my work?
DOOR: Yes, and thanks again for picking up the tab for lunch.
WATKINS: My latest books are a three-book series called The Why Files from Concordia House Publishers. I surveyed about 1,500 teens about their questions about sex (When Can I Start Dating? Questions about love, sex, and a cure for zits), death (Is There Really Life After Death? Questions about school shootings, grief, and coming back as a gerbil) and the supernatural (Are There Really Ghosts? Questions about angels, the supernatural, and the 'Psychic Friends Network') All available at your local book store or www.jameswatkins.com. Sorry, back to our interview. I've tried to use lots of humor to keep teens attention. And, writing about sex doesn't hurt either.
DOOR: Speaking of S-E-X ... you host what you call "An Adult Site for Adults" at www.sanesexsite.com. What is that all about?
WATKINS: Well, there's a lot of sexual misinformation out there on the information superhighway, not to mention all the porn. So, I've posted some of my more explicit articles on sexuality on that site. There's nothing that says "This is a Christian site" but you won't find me or anyone else naked on the site either. Hopefully, just some "sane" perspectives on sex that are biblically sound.
DOOR: Can you give an example? Um, something The Door can print.
WATKINS: Sure. For instance I have a page called "The Top Ten Reasons I'm Not Divorcing My Wife." It's really a case for purity and faithfulness in marriage, but what guy looking for "hot naked teens" is going to click on that subject. I've tried to use humor and a bunch of university studies to make a case against adultery and divorce.
DOOR: So, it's humor, sex, and university studies?
WATKINS: That's the challenge writing for the secular market. I love it when Billy Graham announces, "The Bah-ball sa-ez." Unfortunately, most in our Post Modern culture don't accept the Bible as an authority. As an ordained minister, I certainly believe in the authority and inerrancy of Scripture. But if I can make a biblically-based case using humor and secular studies, I can communicate the Bible's truth without an immediate turnoff. I sometimes think of myself as a sheep in wolves clothing. Not that I'm going to write anything vulgar, but I am going to attempt to take biblical truth over into the world marketplace.
DOOR: Like in your newspaper column, Jim Shorts, you wrote an article just after the Supreme Court decision to remove "under God" from "The Pledge of Allegiance." You feared it would be reworded for a broader acceptance to "I pledge allegiance to my own personal values and beliefs, and to the relative nature to which one can individually experience reality, a pluralistic society under a higher power of one's own choice, tolerant with personal freedom checked and balanced with concern for the public welfare." Then you suggested a better pledge. "One shorter, non-controversial, and would solve most of society's problems if we all pledged our allegiance to it. Do onto others as you would have them do unto you." You didn't cite the verse, but is this an example how you squeezed a Biblical truth in?
WATKINS: Exactly. In a Campus Life magazine review of my first book on sex, the reviewer wrote it was "Biblical without being preachy." I like that. A writer friend, Holly Miller, says that we need to serve the "Living Water" at a temperature our audience can tolerate. She's not saying we dilute the message. It's still 100 percent, unadulterated Living Water. But there's the danger of dumping boiling water over someone's head like the hell-fire and brimstone preachers of the last century. And, there's a greater danger, in our attempt to be accepted, that we're serving up Kool-Aid that has none of the saving power of the Living Water. I think of my newspaper column as sprinkling the Living Water throughout my essays over time. I want to create a thirst for the Living Water through my biblically-based perspectives on Saddam Hussein, airline security, Brittany Spears, urban legends, prayer in schools, Viagra, church sex scandals, etcetera.
DOOR: Do you ever get criticized for using humor to present such a serious message?
WATKINS: Sure, on a regular basis, but I'm reminded of a great quote from author Conrad Hyers. "Humor is not the opposite of seriousness. Humor is the opposite of despair." If anyone has reason to laugh, it's a person who's trusting that God does indeed, work all out for our good. Romans 8:28 is the ultimate "good news/bad news" joke. God takes our tragedies and adds a punch line. My agent is pitching a new book based on that.
DOOR: Any final bits of advice for using humor to present the Gospel?
WATKINS: First, you'll need to renew your subscription to The Door.
DOOR: Thanks for the plug.
WATKINS: And then visit my site at www.jameswatkins.com. But seriously, study the great writers of humor and the Gospel. My favorite authors are Dave Barry and Thomas a Kempis, who wrote The Imitation of Christ. Both are absolutely brilliant writers and thinkers. And when you can combine the wonderful wit of a Pulitzer-prize winning columnist and the spiritual insights of a revered 15th century monk, you've got something that will meet both the need for laughter and the need for an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
DOOR: Thank thee, thank thee, thou hast been a wonderful interviewee.

More from Jim Watkins web site, www.jameswatkins.com ...

'talk like a TV evangelist day' november 1 Hey, if there can be a national 'Talk Like a Pirate Day' (September 19), then why not a day for these looters and pillagers? How can I participate? Simply 'talk like a TV evangelist' at your school or place of work Monday November 1, 2004. How can I talk like a TV evangelist? Here are some sample phrases. Feel free to add others as the 'Speeee-rit of God' inspires you. When greeting other students, co-workers, "Hello, faa-rend" (friend). When the copier jams or computer crashes, stike it with the heel of your hand and shout, "Heeee-ole" (heal). If this is not effective, shout, "Come OUT foul spirits!" Once the copier is unjammed or computer rebooted, "Pa-raise (praise) God; thank ya, Jeeeeeeeeeeee-sus." During planning meetings shout, "Name it and claim it, fa-riend!" While standing by the office vending machine, "Faa-rend, if you will just buy me a cup of coffee—yes, just one cup—the Lord will ba-less (bless) and reward you ten fold." For more suggestions, listen to an inspiring message from our celebrity spokesperson, Brother Bob Blessing. Are there other ways I can celebrate the day Sure, wear heavy make-up or do that "comb-over" thing with your hair (see photo). We do not recommend buying expensive luxuries with other people's money, having affairs with subordinates or rendering friends unconscious with a whack to the forehead. Do I need to register or sign up. Just email and let me know you're planning to celebrate 'Talk Like a TV Evangelist Day.' I'd love to have at least 100,000 people talking like a TV evangelist November 1! So, why did you start 'Talk Like a TV Evangelist Day'? First, to raise awareness of the many spiritual 'pirates' looting well-meaning believers. (Click here for my take on faith healers.) Second, to appreciate the thousands of ethical pastors and priests who providing true spiritual care to their local congregations. For ideas how to show your appreciation for you spiritual leader, click here. Oh, and send me 8 million dollars or God is going to take me home! © 2004 James N. Watkins

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