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Paper Topics –PAPER #1: “The Task of the Prophet”
Paper - Nic Cable; Respondent - Luke Stevens - Royer
Walter Bruggemann writes, “The task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture around us.” How does the comedian/trickster/court jester use imagination, shock, humor, truth telling to engender a questioning of the current order of things, recognizing our grief, and evoking an alternative consciousness? How does comedy and prophesy intersect?
- Prophetic Imagination-Brueggemann
- Crazy Wisdom
- A Short History of Black Comedy
- Truthiness of Stephen Colbert
PAPER #2: Healing and Humor
Paper - Brian Mason; Respondent - Martin Woulf
The comedian, the joker often surprises us by taking us to places and traumas that are unspeakable. We are tricked into recognition, grieving, tenderness, and strength, laughing and crying all the way. Explore the relationship between healing and humor. Can humor take us deeper into the healing journey?
- Comparing Hannah Gatsby (Nannette), Chris Gethard
- Ali Wong
- Trevor Noah
- Tig Nataro
- People do want to hear those very personal stories
Paper #3: “Where Is the Line?”
Paper - Barbara Prose; Respondent - Matthew Johnson
While an important role of the comedian is to speak truth to power, is it possible to go too far with comedy? If so who decides where “the line” is? Some have asserted it is vulgarity, racist or sexist jokes, or critique of political power during war. This paper will explore what we mean by “crossing the line” in comedy, who determines where that line is, and in what ways comedians themselves are held accountable.
o Louis CK - Joe Rogan reaction
o Anthony Jeselnik
o Michael Richards apology
o White House Correspondents Dinners: Michelle Wolf & Stephen Colbert
o Margaret Cho/Jerry Seinfeld Netflix, Comedian and Cars getting coffee
Paper #4: The Minister as Comedian
Paper - Molly House Gordon; Respondent - Wayne Arnason
Like comedians, ministers stand in front of crowds of people to elicit an emotional response. For comedians that response is laughter; for ministers it is a wider range of emotions – inspiration, sympathy, or joy. Henri Nouwen says that ministers have to be both prophetic and pastoral. Comedians of various kinds have also taken on these roles at times. This paper will explore where the roles ministers take on are informed by comedy and comedians.
Chris Gethard - Career Suicide
Zen Radicals, Rebels and Reformers by Pearl Besserman
H. Nouwen – Wounded Healer
Ron Chernow WH Correspondence Dinner “The role of the comedian”
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