Laughter depends on order.
Give me a minute to explain.
The words “cosmic” and “comedic” have similar roots. “Comedy” comes from the Greek meaning “village” while “cosmos” in the same language focuses on order. So, humor is “cosmopolitan” or an ordered city.
Revelry or comedy is born of universal order in the cosmos. We could call it cosmic comedy: for something to be funny there must be order.
Genesis 1:1 establishes order. “In the beginning” tells that matter, space, and time began together.
“God created” tells of One, Independent Supernatural Agent who brings natural agencies into existence. “The heavens and the earth” tell of the whole of creation—top to bottom, side to side—which now depends on The Independent One. Order is the precursor to any society.
Comics and cartoonists owe their ability to order, turned upside down. The origins of anything dictate the ethics of anything, including comedy.
Thanks for spending this minute with me, Dr. Mark Eckel.
Mark Eckel (MA English, ThM Old Testament, PhD Social Science Research) is Executive Director of the Center for Biblical Integration, Liberty University.
“Give Me a Minute” is an ongoing effort to simply, clearly, and quickly explain aspects of true Truth.
Gratitude, as always, to my longtime friend, videographer, and tech guru Josh for his continued service.