Posted By: asygo
Is Humour and Laughter Acceptable, Unacceptable, or Both Acceptable and Unacceptable? - 01/18/07 02:24 AM
Pastor Johann,
That's great, but I do not equate levity with laughter. Do you?
So you see, there is such a thing as innocent laughter.
Even so, that does not give us the authority to dismiss one jot or tittle from inspiration. In light of the positive statements about laughter, how are we to understand the negative statements about levity, joking, jesting, etc?
Here's one from my files that is not commonly known:
Heavy, isn't it?
You related an anecdote from ML Andreasen about EGW laughing. I put up an anecdote from 5BIO about EGW laughing. But now we have an inspired statement about Christ NOT laughing.
Shall we look to inspired counsel or to the actions of men/women? If we are looking at actions, have we been given an example other than Christ?
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Creating a new topic out of this post and subsequent posts. - Daryl
That's great, but I do not equate levity with laughter. Do you?
Quote:
There are persons with a diseased imagination to whom religion is a tyrant, ruling them as with a rod of iron. Such are constantly mourning over their depravity and groaning over supposed evil. Love does not exist in their hearts; a frown is ever upon their countenances. They are chilled by the innocent laugh from the youth or from anyone. They consider all recreation or amusement a sin and think that the mind must be constantly wrought up to just such a stern, severe pitch. {AH 493.1}
The Rasmussens had several children and a sister-in-law living with them. The latter had lived in Battle Creek years before and had met Ellen White there. She had thoroughly prepared her nephews, the Rasmussen boys, to dread the visit of the prophet. Her philosophy was that it was a sin for children to play with toys or laugh, and claimed that Sister White backed up her cheerless views. {5BIO 139.3}
The boys were amazed when Ellen White on meeting them, turned to her son and asked, "Willie, where are those things for the boys?" Willie produced two packages, each containing a toy train. The boys were delighted, and no doubt were careful to display them for their aunt's benefit! Ellen and Willie enjoyed a good meal at the Rasmussens' and Kings', topped off with one of Mrs. Rasmussen's Danish Christmas cakes, which Willie enjoyed so much that he asked for the recipe. He spiced the meal with a few interesting and humorous stories. At first the Rasmussen boys were afraid to laugh, but when they saw Ellen White smile and heard Elder White laugh at his own stories, they soon joined in. Sister White had no objection to a little sensible humor. Loud, hilarious laughter she detested. {5BIO 139.4}
The Rasmussens had several children and a sister-in-law living with them. The latter had lived in Battle Creek years before and had met Ellen White there. She had thoroughly prepared her nephews, the Rasmussen boys, to dread the visit of the prophet. Her philosophy was that it was a sin for children to play with toys or laugh, and claimed that Sister White backed up her cheerless views. {5BIO 139.3}
The boys were amazed when Ellen White on meeting them, turned to her son and asked, "Willie, where are those things for the boys?" Willie produced two packages, each containing a toy train. The boys were delighted, and no doubt were careful to display them for their aunt's benefit! Ellen and Willie enjoyed a good meal at the Rasmussens' and Kings', topped off with one of Mrs. Rasmussen's Danish Christmas cakes, which Willie enjoyed so much that he asked for the recipe. He spiced the meal with a few interesting and humorous stories. At first the Rasmussen boys were afraid to laugh, but when they saw Ellen White smile and heard Elder White laugh at his own stories, they soon joined in. Sister White had no objection to a little sensible humor. Loud, hilarious laughter she detested. {5BIO 139.4}
So you see, there is such a thing as innocent laughter.
Even so, that does not give us the authority to dismiss one jot or tittle from inspiration. In light of the positive statements about laughter, how are we to understand the negative statements about levity, joking, jesting, etc?
Here's one from my files that is not commonly known:
Quote:
Christ is our example. Do you imitate the great Exemplar? Christ often wept but never was known to laugh. I do not say it is a sin to laugh on any occasion. But we cannot go astray if we imitate the divine, unerring Pattern. {6MR 91.1}
Heavy, isn't it?
You related an anecdote from ML Andreasen about EGW laughing. I put up an anecdote from 5BIO about EGW laughing. But now we have an inspired statement about Christ NOT laughing.
Shall we look to inspired counsel or to the actions of men/women? If we are looking at actions, have we been given an example other than Christ?
=====
Creating a new topic out of this post and subsequent posts. - Daryl
