A while ago I wrote about the humour of Tim Hawkins. Recently I bought his most recent DVD, ‘I No Rockstar’, and spent a pleasant evening being entertained by it. I’ll be watching it again soon.
Yesterday I preached Romans 13:1-7 at mgpc. The principles of Christians being citizens are referenced.
So the youtube video below has been making me think. A clean cut version of Hawkins sings satiric comedy stylings about the US government, entitled ‘The Goverment Can’, to the tune of ‘The Candyman Can’.
A few observations arise.
Firstly, I wonder if Hawkins has been sitting on this concept through the recent Republican administration and now is able to produce it with Democrats in power. His audiences would probably find criticism of the more right wing party very unpalatable. I think it far more unlikely that Hawkins would find a bomb under his car after a gig having criticised a Democrat administration.
Secondly, there is an edge that I haven’t seen in Hawkin’s other material. (Which I confess I don’t have extensive exposure to.) Making fun of someone’s excesses is one thing, as is pointing out inconsistencies and incompetences. Goverments provide ripe fields for such activities. Attributing malice and intent to their actions is another.
So, my point is, in the light of Romans 13 and other texts, that pointing out facts of error or inadequacy is one thing, but attributing motive, where motive is unknown, should be avoided.
This is difficult. But it has to be done, so that we can think the best of all people and encourage those in authority. It also helps to set a good example for those that we are leading and influencing. I’ve written in the past that our political leaders create a sword for themselves by continually attributing the worst possible motives to their opponents. If they do it, why would we think it odd that society treats them in the same way.
In the church our interactions should be constructive. We shouldn’t point out problems in order to score points, but because we want to see our work and witness enhanced. Far better for every inadequacy we perceive to have thought of a constructive solution to meet it.
So, watch the youtube and think for yourself whether it crosses the line I’ve indicated, or whether I’m overly sensitive to the text I’ve worked through last week. The video does make its points in an entertaining fashion. It’s just an issue of whether every point needed to be made.
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