Full Description
An examination of the underappreciated role of laughter in scripture and theology that puts joy and humour back into the centre of Christian life.
We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh, and this is true of our relationship with God. Thomas Aquinas spoke of the sin of having too little laughter as well as the danger of having too much, while Martin Luther said, 'If you're not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there.' Having a sense of humour is essential for maturity in faith and holiness, but sadly, the role that laughter plays in life and spirituality have often been neglected.
Laughter and the Grace of God restores laughter to its central place in Christian spirituality and theology by examining its role in Scripture and highlighting its presence in unexpected places, including the story of Abraham and the formation of the covenant, and the tragedy of Job. Laughter can be found in the incarnation, the resurrection, and even the crucifixion - Jesus is himself the great laugh-maker - and it is nothing less than a participation in the life and love of God.
Contents
Preface | ix
1. Humor and the Christian Vision | 1
2. Mapping the Theo-Comical Territory | 7
3. Jesus the Laugh-Maker | 22
4. Parables, Comic Characters, and the Gospel | 33
5. Laughter as the Language of Faith | 48
6. Covenant Laughter and the Comic Vision | 57
7. God, Heaven, and Humor | 69
8. Grace and Truth through Laughter | 89
9. Laughter at the Cross | 103
10. The Comic Christian Life | 123
Bibliography | 137
Subject Index | 145
Name Index | 149
Scripture Index | 153
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