The Opposite of Funny is not Serious

G. K. Chesterton was a masterful Christian apologist in large part because of his hilarity rooted in love. Dale Ahlquist writes

One person close to him said that to know him was  benediction. G. K. Chesterton lived his faith. He demonstrated not only the mere art of speaking the truth, but the holy art of speaking the truth in love. One of the really remarkable things about him is that he not only loved his enemies, but his enemies could not help loving him. His philosophical opponents did not merely like him; they loved him. He was always generous but honest to his enemies. He says, “Most mistaken people mean well, and all mistaken people mean something. There is something to be said for every error; but, whatever may be said for it, the most important thing to be said about it is that it is erroneous.” That statement is typical of how Chesterton does not compromise either truth or goodness. In his life as well as in his writing, Chesterton shows that is is truth that answers error, but also that it is humility that answers arrogance. It is kindness that answers cruelty. It is gentleness that answers wrath. And just as it is goodness that answers a lack of goodness, it is humor than answers–this is important–a distinct lack of humor. Chesterton points out that the opposite of funny is not serious, the opposite of funny is not funny. “Whether a man chooses to tell the truth in long sentences or short jokes”, he says, is the same “as whether he chooses to tell the truth in German or French.”  Common Sense 101, p. 193.

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