2012-11-05T11:56:57-05:00 GCI info@gospel.com /feeds/topics/comedy/ http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/9623 2012-11-05T11:56:57-05:00 I love the self-deprecating New Zealand humor, exemplified by comedy series such as Flight of the Conchords. Below is the new Air New Zealand safety video, in Middle Earth Hobbit mode. Priceless. But here's the thing. Have you ever paid much attention to a safety briefing? Did you remember it later? Probably not. But embed something in humor, and you gain instant attention, with high memorability and comprehension. Humor is biblical. Use it to communicate. Jesus did. Constantly. Creatively. http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/7929 2012-04-20T10:46:08-05:00 John Cleese, creative writer, actor and comedian, has produced much memorable comedy. The classic TV series Fawlty Towers (1975-9) is widely regarded as one of the best television comedies of all time. It has dated little in nearly 40 years, and is available as a remastered DVD set. So you might think Cleese could teach us something about creativity – and you'd be right. http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/3590 2011-03-01T15:53:48-05:00 Outnumbered is a BBC sitcom about a long-suffering couple with three smart children. Sadly for those outside UK, it is not streamed or archived on the BBC site (it does have some clips here and here) but it is available worldwide on DVD (Region 2). Here’s an incredibly funny clip that has gone viral, with 9-year-old Ben slow-grilling a minister. http://internetevangelismday.com/spikemilligan.php 2010-08-14T08:16:34-05:00 The last published words of the late British comedian Spike Milligan of blessed memory were recently issued in The Times, and relate to the Bible, his religious upbringing, and specifically his confusion about Jesus. During a time when he was losing his faith, he writes, “I remember, during this period when my faith was fading, that I wished that somehow, somewhere, I’d come across something humorous - a comment or an incident – in my prayer book or Bible. One, just one, line like ‘And lo, Jesu laugheth heartily’, or ‘Jesus sayeth “Come unto me and I will tell you a joke.“ But no such luck.” How sad that he was unable to see in the Bible the very humor ... http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/2320 2010-08-12T04:47:45-05:00 I blame Bob Monkhouse. I trace my huge enjoyment of comedy, and attempts to make others laugh, largely back to his Mad Mad Movies TV programme. All he really did was show clips of old slapstick – Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, The Keystone Cops and the rest. And I was hooked at the age of about seven or eight. But I never thought I’d be organising and running a comedy club – let alone launching our town’s first ever Comedy Festival. http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/792 2010-08-09T15:52:36-05:00 Comedian and syndicated columnist Charles Marshall demonstrates how to wrap up spiritual truths in 100-200 words of humor. And do it well. And in a way that is accessible to not-yet-Christians. Make a great present too. http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/70 2010-08-08T17:12:00-05:00 H L Mencken defined Puritanism as ‘The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.’ How sad it is that Christians in general, and the bible in particular, have been frequently perceived as humorless. In fact, the bible, and the ministry of Jesus, are full of humor, and we are therefore mandated to use humor in evangelism and ministry. Check this CT article on Understanding Humor and James Watkins writings, many of which are very accessible to not-yet-Christians. IE Day’s page about humor includes a free download of a classic book and a more recent title on Christianity and humor. http://internetevangelismday.com/cartoon-evangelism.php 2010-08-07T17:59:01-05:00 Humor communicates! God invented it. Jesus used it. Most of us enjoy having our spirits lifted by a cartoon. Ron Wheeler, of Cartoonworks comments that disarming cartoon humor means “people are more receptive to hearing the Gospel message.” http://internetevangelismday.com/humor.php 2010-08-07T17:55:49-05:00 Humor is very valuable in evangelism and Christian communication because: * humor breaks down barriers and can smuggle ideas and challenges into people’s hearts. * a joke or humorous situation is often very memorable. * it shows that we don’t take ourselves too seriously, that we are not ‘holy Joes’, killjoys, or boring. * humor has been shown to be an essential component of adult learning. * most importantly, because we have a biblical mandate to use humor! http://internetevangelismday.com/bookreviews/serve-him-with-mirth.php 2010-08-07T15:41:09-05:00 Even in these more relaxed days, many Christians do not understand just how much humor is embedded in the Bible. Humor is valuable for communicating the Gospel and we have a biblical mandate to use it. This classic book by Flynn remains one of few that cover the subject in depth. We offer it as a free download in PDF, HTML, DOC and MS E-book formats.