Between Heaven and Mirth

Starred review from August 8, 2011
“So a humor book and a serious theology book meet up in a bar...” Martin, a Jesuit who is something of a regular on Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, makes a strong case for the necessity of humor in the spiritual life, offering what he calls “a serious argument for joy.” Weaving funny anecdotes and jokes with biblical and historical research and interviews with scholars, Martin does much to rescue the Christian tradition from joylessness. In his telling, church history is filled with levity if you only know where to look—his portrayal of St. Teresa of Avila shows her to have been downright hilarious, and Jesus himself drew upon humor in ways we don’t always appreciate when we read the Gospels today. Rather than laughter’s trivializing faith, Martin sees humor as a faithful response to God, a default stance that invites other people into God’s family. Winsome and comical but also provocative and thoughtful, Martin’s book is a breath of fresh air for those who would take religion—and themselves—too seriously. 

September 1, 2011
Most people don't realize that Jesus relied upon a sense of humor to spread the word of God, or that several saints were known for playful sarcasm that could evoke belly laughs. Even a few popes are appreciated for their down-to-earth wit. John XXIII once responded to a question about how many people worked at the Vatican with, About half of them. Humor can definitely see us through life's toughest challenges, but more important, it can add delight and depth to daily existence, according to cultural commentator Martin, New York Times best-selling author of the Jesuit Guide to Almost Anything (2010). Humor can heal, make others feel welcome, attract happiness, encourage humility, and deliver insightful truths that would otherwise require exhaustive explanation. Martin's book suggests numerous ways to foster the strength of gracious good humor and makes a wonderful case for replacing suffering and sadness with an abundance of levity and joy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)