From Scripture, laughter does not appear to moderns to verify fully its better reputation. There are reasons for the impression. It may be related to merrymaking that involves excessive revelry as drinking, implying uncertain character. Sometimes, as in the case of Sarah and the birth of a child in her old age, it is made to be a sign of irreverence. In some instances it is used as a sign of derision: They laughed him to scorn. It is presumed to be less preferred than solemnity. Nevertheless, there is a meaningful support of the merry heart, and when all is said and done: He that sits in the heavens shall laugh. In season, God laughs and will laugh. The passage may permit derision, but it relates to the joy of victory, the end of evil. I doubt derisiveness in God.
My own nature drives, almost compels, me to humor. It has gotten me into more difficulties than nearly anything that I may have done in public life. While many have expressed their enjoyment at my approach, there have been some who have objected. Even my children may have cringed on occasion, or rolled their eyes. I have to measure the good that it does against any offense that it may cause. I totally enjoy clean jokes, and deeply dislike dirty ones. I enjoy making asides that relate to the circumstances of the moment, so that the tongue in cheek story seems a part of the moment. But there are persons who may take the side remarks literally. They may take offense. They are thinking solemnly. I would not deliberately offend – even an enemy. I would feel that I had demeaned myself if I did. Persons offended are on another wavelength than I am. I try to read situations, but I sometimes am off guard and fail. May the good Lord help me!
Why do the comics live so long? It is believed that they assist their bodies to function well by maintaining a light spirit. At this writing a comedian who has dominated the English world in entertainment for decades is about to celebrate his 100th birthday. Comics live to be quite old by longevity standards. It is about the same for ministers, known for long life. The best comics are the best entertainers, and take advantage of the clean side of thought that makes mankind laugh at self. The comedies of Shakespeare are masterful, and remain humorous in our time. His use of comedy and tragedy has held for centuries as insightful of mankind’s nature and conduct. He had to kill off Falstaff so that the people would permit him to get on with other characters.
In a slim volume, The Humor of Christ, the eminent Elton Trueblood discussed the humor of Jesus. We miss that humor, in our time, because that which inspired laughter 2000 years ago doesn’t seem funny to us. When Jesus referred to the unseen beam projecting from an eye of a critic, and the speck that was seen by that critic in another, there was laughter. In that era, persons were well tuned to spoken words. They were not taken by sound bytes, color projections, microphone sound enlargements, and the like. The focus was on imagination projected by language. Imaginations found the humor. Jesus used language well. Some of it incorporated humor.
In his book, A Rumor of Angels, Peter Berger effectively argued that laughter and humor are especially suited to the Christian because, as Scripture notes, the end of things will be for good and glory – not for silence and death. As a knife may be used in dining, or surgery, but also may be used as an instrument that wounds, even kills, we need humor for its affirmation of the free human spirit, while deploring it as a derisive technique. God has given humor. We reject that gift, or distort it, when we reject its useful meaning in life. As Mark Twain cast an idea in humor: May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020