Yes, those all go together, according to Krister Stendahl in his classic Paul Among Jews and Gentiles:

It is my conviction that theology is too serious to allow humans to think theologically without playfulness and irony.  To try to be as serious as the subject would be arrogant, and could lead the hearer/reader to believe that I considered everything to be precisely as I describe it.  Of late I have become even more convinced of the theological necessity of irony -- and of its nobler cousin humor -- as a safeguard against idolatry.  I believe that to be a reason why Jesus chose to speak in parables, most of which have a humorous twist. . . .  Theology of the kind I am doing in this book has a playful, tentative character.  For, as Paul said, knowledge--even prophecy--is imperfect.  If one forgets that, it "puffs up" (1 Cor. 8:1).  And I like to think as a child, reason as a child, for as a Christian I have not yet grown up, or relinquished my childish ways.  That would be wrong before the day comes when by God's grace we shall understand fully, even as we will be fully understood (1 Cor. 13:8-13).  In the meantime I invite other children to come and play with me.

Brilliant!