Excerpts from "Lectures on the History of Preaching" - Broadus, JOFMM Spring 2004

Excerpt # 1 Ridicule
You have doubtless observed that Elijah has given us a striking
example of the use of ridicule in sacred discourse. He mocked the
priests of Baal, before all the people. Idolatry is essentially absurd,
and ridicule was therefore a fair way of exposing it. In like manner,
all irreligion has aspects and elements that are absurd, and it is
sometimes useful (if carefully done) to show this by irony and ridicule.
In the book of Proverbs, irreligion is constantly stigmatized
as folly, and frequently depicted with the keenest sarcasm. Slight
touches of irony and scorn are also observed in the apostle Paul.
We have then a certain amount of Scripture example for the use of
ridicule in preaching. But it should be a sparing use (pp. 12, 13).

Excerpt # 2 Controversy
His [Jesus’] teachings were to a great extent controversial, polemical.
He was constantly aiming at some error or evil practice existing
among his hearers. You remember at once how this principle
pervades the Sermon on the Mount.… In fact, there are very few
of his utterances that have not a distinctly polemical character,
aimed at his immediate hearers; and we must take account of this,...