How do we know Jesus was a woman?

Answer: because, even after he was dead he had to get up and serve people.

Some context may be helpful. I was the only man in a graduate seminar on feminist rhetoric. Along with six other Ph.D. students we were part of a list serve and often sent silly off-handed comments resulting in the above joke being sent. A few minutes later, I received a personal email from the sender apologizing. Tim, I sent out the joke and didnt consider how offensive it may have been to you! I didnt mean to demean your religion. Hope youre not mad. I shot back an email telling her my wife and I were still laughing.

Her response to sending the joke was telling. How easily do those outside the Christian community think we are offended? Are we seen as people devoid of the ability to laugh at ourselves? Or, laugh at all? Ive been greatly encouraged how many contributors to the Christ Animated Blog have tackled the issue of incivility and polarization that seems to have gripped our nation, communities, and higher education (Steven McMullen, Perry Glanzer, ; Crystal Downing, ). As the co-director of 51蹤獲s newly launched, , I am trying to think of new and unexpected ways for Christian communicators to engage an increasingly hostile communication climate.

In the full Christian Scholars Review essay, Tim Muehlhoff addresses the oft-neglected aspect of rhetorical humor and how G.K. Chesterton might serve as a much-needed guide in todays argument culture.

Read the full article in the .