In on the Joke: Savoring and Stewarding God's Ridiculous Gift of Humor

by Matt Howell

Genres: Christianity

244 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2026

Reviews

[Casey Cockrum]

This book is delightful. Matt uses his wisdom, and humor to weave together a beautiful book about the way God operates in the world, and our ability to enjoy humor because God himself is playful.

[Charlie]

What an encouragement! A God who weeps with laughter, who dances, and who has no category for moderation.

Matt is such a dear friend to me— not least of which because he reminds me how much dearer a friend Jesus is.

Please read!

[Anna Grace]

"How did the church that worships a dancing God of joy devolve into seeing smiling as indecent?"

This is one of the most refreshing books I've read in a long time. Especially under the Christian genre. I think it's unfortunately become such a stigma that God (and therefore christians too) are considered buzzkills or just wanna suck the joy out life. This book says that's the exact opposite of who God is.

My favorite point that's made right off the bat is how God is a being that exists as a kind of dance. "The way the different persons of the Trinity relate to each other is through a choreographed 'dance' of playful, joyful, mutual, self-sacrificial service and love." If God is a dancing god, then joy and humor and laughter aren't just gifts for us to enjoy (which we should), but one of the many ways that the Lord wants us to relate to him and experience him!

I could write a whole essay on why this book was so fantastic but you'll just have to read it for yourself. I think its something every christian should read at some point just to be reminded of who our God is at his core, and that human history is inevitably going to end in laughter:)

I also obviously have to shout out the author Matt Howell for writing in such a way that he actively makes you laugh while you're reading! I loved getting to experience his own unique playfulness throughout the book, like he's helping us put our joy in to practice while we're actively reading about it haha!

I'm for sure rereading this eventually and recommending this book to everyone I know, starting with that pastor from "Footloose" lol!

[Michelle Raybourn]

A quick read and really enjoyed it! It’s amazing when a book about theology can be the opposite of dense. Gave me a lot to chew on and be encouraged by!

[Anna Fikkert]

Delightful, convicting, hopeful! and funny!!

[Montgomery Waterer]

This book gave me a fresh perspective on humor, its relationship to the Christian worldview, and the importance of laughter.

[Myriam Coker]

Tremendous work by Matt exploring God’s gift of humor to us through the gospel.

[Matthew Smith]

A bit sermon-illustrationy at times, but a solid read about an under-talked about topic.