Humor Us: An Appeal for the Gospel of Relaxation

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. 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 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).