Humor Us
An Appeal for the Gospel of Relaxation
by Donald Capps
Imprint: Cascade Books
This book addresses the fact that Americans tend to live under a considerable amount of stress, tension, and anxiety, and suggests that humor can be helpful in alleviating their distress. It posits that humor is a useful placebo in this regard; cites studies that show that humor moderates life stress; considers the relationship of religion and humor, especially as means to alleviate anxiety; proposes that Jesus had a sense of humor; suggests that his parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard has humorous implications for the relief of occupational stress; explores the relationship of gossip and humor; and suggests that Jesus and his disciples were a joking community. It concludes that Jesus viewed the kingdom of God as a worry-free existence.
Donald Capps (1939-2015) was William Harte Felmeth Professor of Pastoral Theology (Emeritus) at Princeton Theological Seminary. He is the author of Striking Out (Cascade Books, 2011), At Home in the World (Cascade Books, 2013), Still Growing (Cascade Books, 2014), The Resourceful Self (Cascade Books, 2014), and The Religious Life (Cascade Books, 2015) and coauthor with Nathan Carlin of Living in Limbo (Cascade Books, 2010) and The Gift of Sublimation (Cascade Books, 2015).
"In a world of serious problems and stressed-out people, psychology of religion scholar Donald Capps explores the idea and use of humor and William James' notion of the Gospel of Relaxation in light of scripture and the ministry of Jesus. We are wonderfully introduced to Jesus and his disciples as a joking community. This book is a fitting coda to Don Capps' prolific life. He offers us not only last laughs, but the gift and grace of humor."
--Ryan LaMothe, Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology
"This is Donald Capps' last book, and it is among his best. His third monograph on humor, Humor Us, engages empirical, theoretical, medical, historical, biblical, and theological writings on humor, offering a compelling vision for moderating stress and alleviating anxiety by means of what William James called 'The Gospel of Relaxation.' We all would do well to cling to Capps' wisdom."
--Nathan Carlin, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas
"Donald Capps provides more than 'molecules of hope' as he invites the reader into his own 'gospel of relaxation.' In a playful manner that combines serious scholarship about the healing power of humor and imagination with a sense of hopefulness, Capps argues persuasively that a reluctant partnership exists between religion and humor. This partnership serves as an antidote to twenty-first-century anxiety."
--Carol L. Schnabl Schweitzer, Associate Professor of Pastoral Care, Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, Virginia
"Laughter is not the best medicine, according to Donald Capps in this subversive and at times very funny book, but humor can serve as a powerful placebo for alleviating stress in an age of anxiety. While religion and humor have seldom made for comfortable bedfellows, Humor Us provides compelling biblical support for ushering humor into the holy of holies. Through meticulous scholarly investigation of gospel parables and healing narratives, Capps invites readers to take 'imaginative possession of the shared experiences of Jesus and his disciples,' including shared humor. This book is a subtle but devastating indictment of humorless academic theology, while simultaneously offering pastoral comfort for anxious souls who labor and are heavy laden."
--Robert C. Dykstra, Charlotte W. Newcombe Professor of Pastoral Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary
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