Theology of Comedy & Humor

By Jason

1 Nov 2006

Microphone

I have had my most unusal speaking/teaching invitation to date. It’s to talk about the theology of humor, at a comedy festival in Sweden, to a bunch of professional stand up comedians.

I do have a love of all things Eddie Izzard, but am already nervous at the prospect of trying to crack a joke as I speak. So if any of you have any experience of this topic, other than the enjoyment of comedy, let me know. If you can read swedish go to comedyzone.se for info on the May 2007 event.

As I understand it, the comedy zone is a growing event that attracts several hundred visitors and is (in the words of the organisers):

- A sort of “office party” for christian humorists
- A humorfestival
- A safe place for people who are unaccustomed to Church, where they can
get to know us, without any strings attached
- A fundraising event for a good cause

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  1. Comment by fernando

    7.37 am on 1 Nov 2006

    Jason, I’ve preached a sermon on God’s sense of humour and tried to write a paper a few years back on theology of humour, interacting with Freud’s ideas about the psychology of humour. I’ll see if I can dig those up.

  2. Comment by Mackan Andersson

    8.46 am on 1 Nov 2006

    Fernando – I would be sooo interested, too. Both in the paper and the sermon.

    Being a standup comedian and theology student myself, your input would be so helpful in constructing a sort of sense of direction for my life.

    Jason – So fun to see that you blogged about this. I am so proud! I made it on to Jason Clarks blog! :)

  3. Pingback by Comedy Zone » Blog Archive » Bloggar om Zonen

    9.02 am on 1 Nov 2006

    [...] Jason Clark, som kommer till Zonen och undervisar på ett seminarium / en workshop, har bloggat om Zonen. [...]

  4. Comment by Paul

    11.19 am on 1 Nov 2006

    Just wear a dress bro, that will be funny enough :)

    Just did a quick look for laughter in the bible – interesting:
    http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/index.php?search=laugh&searchtype=all&version1=51&spanbegin=1&spanend=73

    Seems to have all the main comedy stylings there:
    - sarcasm
    - mocking
    - the audience knowing more/less – comic surprise
    - feel good
    - physical comedy
    etc

    Will look forward to hearing more :)

  5. Comment by brett jordan

    11.32 am on 1 Nov 2006

    Always a bit worried about ‘deconstructing’ humour… while i know that comedians work really hard at their craft, it does seem to me to be one of those things that best illustrated ‘gifting’, some people are ‘funny’, and others ‘aren’t'…

    i can still remember one of my kidz’ reactions to their first experience of Tommy Cooper, something along the lines of ‘This stuff shouldn’t make you laugh, but it does’

    hope the talk goes well jason, maybe just do a load of ‘how many emergent churchers does it take to change a light-bulb’ jokes?

  6. Comment by marc

    11.42 am on 1 Nov 2006

    Oh my theological stand up….hmmm

  7. Comment by GMD

    2.18 pm on 1 Nov 2006

    So you too found solace in Eddie’s creation story ? :)

    He’s a comedy great but maybe God is the greatest comedian around, look at us ?

  8. Comment by graham

    3.11 am on 2 Nov 2006

    Sounds fascinating! How on earth did u get that gig?

    I don’t envy you, as it’s difficult to assess humour without stealing the thunder, but I bet it’ll be a great experience.

    Oh, this’ll help: “What kind of Bees produce Milk?”

  9. Comment by brian

    3.22 am on 2 Nov 2006

    Hey Jason, I recently watched the DVD, Jerry Seinfeld, Comedian. It’s a documentary about comedy. It’s really interesting and there are more parallels to preaching than I’d imagined. Maybe it would be of some use…

  10. Comment by Jason

    6.04 am on 2 Nov 2006

    Brian (8): thanks Brian, I’ll look that up…cheers, jason

  11. Comment by Dave

    12.42 pm on 2 Nov 2006

    Let me know if a cartoon would be useful.

  12. Comment by chuckk gerwig

    9.15 pm on 3 Nov 2006

    What a great opportunity to point out the smile of God. I think people miss seeing his smirk because so many of his followers seem to have been sucking salt for so long. Pointing out the humor of the creation and its creator is reaching toward those who don’t know Him yet in a powerful way. Look around at the whimsy of creation: lobsters, platypus, the inherent humor of sex, God delights in the creation and smiles widely. I pray God will use you to discplay His grin to those who value the laugh.

  13. Comment by chuckk gerwig

    11.36 pm on 3 Nov 2006

    oh, and this article may be helpful?

    http://www.youthspecialties.com/articles/topics/theology/standup.pdf

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