ETS 2006- Erik Thoennes: Laughing Through Tears

November 16, 2006 Posted by Roger OvertoncloseAuthor: Roger Overton Name: Roger Overton
Email: rogeroverton@hotmail.com
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About: Roger Overton is currently pursuing a Masters degree at Talbot School of Theology. He has addressed various churches, schools and youth camps throughout the United States. Roger was co-editor of The New Media Frontier (Crossway, 2008) and God and Governing (Wipf & Stock, 2009). Roger can be emailed at rogeroverton@hotmail.com.See Authors Posts (569)

This morning, Dr. Erik Thoennes read his paper “Laughing Through Tears: The Redemptive Role of Humor in a Fallen World.” He noted that the ability to laugh helps deal with difficulties we face in life.

Dr. Thoennes offered four reasons for why Christians should study humor:

1)      Humor is a unique human experience, and it is central to human relationships.

2)      Humor goes to the gutter quickly.

3)      Maturity should lead to Godly sense of humor. He cited some self-critical questions posed by A.W. Tozer, one of which was “What do I laugh at?”

4)      Ministering should lead to Godly laughter for us and those we serve.

Humor is commonly defined at words or actions intended to cause laughter. Most often, it involves recognition of incongruity.

While the Bible does not speak directly of God’s humor, and it is primarily serious in nature, humor is a subtext of the Bible. Dr. Thoennes went through several instances of humor throughout the Bible in categories such as irony, sarcasm, etc.

He suggests that there is a link between humor and hope. The story of the incarnation is rampant with ironic humor, such as the Sustainer of the universe riding into Jerusalem on a donkey as His “triumphal entry.”

We must use discernment in laughter as with other aspects of life. Dr. Thoennes suggested getting in the habit of pausing before responding to something with laughter to consider whether it is something we should really be laughing at. We should laugh for the good of others and to the glory of God.

Related posts:

1. Leon Morris (1914-2006)
2. ETS 2006- Brett Kunkle: Essential Concerns Regarding the Emerging Church
3. What Can We Expect From Emergent in 2006?
4. The Dark Side Of Divine Command Theory?: A Response To Erik Wielenberg
5. ETS 2006 in Washington D.C.
6. ETS 2006- H. Chris Ross: Promoting Evangelical Faith Through New Media

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