Laughter in a Time of Turmoil

"Ah, if only God's children would get as excited about hu.mor as we do guilt and shame, then there might be some transformation in the world! Richard Olson reminds us all of this need to prioritize joy and to always 'keep smiling.'"

--Rev. Susan Sparks

Pastor, Madison Avenue Baptist Church, NYC

Author, Laugh Your Way to Grace: Reclaiming the Spiritual Power of Humor (2010)



"Anyone who ministers in the name of Jesus needs to have a sense of humor. It not only enlivens one's ministry . . . , it also mirrors the joyful approach of Jesus of Nazareth. Olson's absolutely delightful new book will be a boon to any pastor, minister, elder, deacon, or priest seeking to incorporate joy into his or her ministry. And that should be everyone who ministers at all: the Good News, after all, should put a smile on people's faces!"

--James Martin, SJ

Author, Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life (2011)



"To be sure, there are theological riches to be found in Richard Olson's Laughter in a Time of Turmoil. The chapter on Sara's smile . . . is worth a couple of Bible study sessions all by itself. But Olson's theme--that laughter and joy and humor are God's gift and should be celebrated (and practiced intentionally) by Christians--is an equally strong reason to read this book. It is warm and funny and silly and insightful--sometimes in the same paragraph. Recommended for both private instruction and for reading out loud. . . . Be prepared to share."

--Robert Darden

Associate Professor of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media, Baylor University

Author, Jesus Laughed: The Redemptive Power of Humor (2008)



"Dick Olson has written an encompassing yet accessible exploration of the styles and healing power of humor. With deep insight and an array of thoughtful scholarship, he aptly describes humor as a spiritual practice. He connects humor and the very being of God. . . . His perceptive treatment of humor in Scripture invites a more richly textured reading, and his wise mastery of the role of humor in pastoral care is compelling. Best of all . . . the congruence between these pages and his life make the book all the more winsome."

--Molly T. Marshall, PhD

President and Professor of Theology and Spiritual Formation, Central Baptist Theological Seminary

Author, What It Means to Be Human (1995)