GOD IS STILL LAUGHING PUBLICATIONS:
Learning Theology through Jokes
Christian Jokes Books for the theological

"Be like the blind man who picked up the hammer and saw."

Mission

"Ultimate seriousness is not without a dose of humor."
--------------------------Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"A confessor is one who is not ashamed to do something quite useless in a world of serious purposes."
......................................Karl Barth (CD III. 4 p. 78)

"Whether a man chooses to tell the truth in long sentences or short jokes is a problem analogous to whether he chooses to tell the truth in French or in German."
--------------------------G. K. Chesterton

"God is not only a comfort but a joy...the source of all pleasures; he is fun and laughter, and we are meant to enjoy him."
--------------------------Joy Davidman

"Have you ever noticed that it is the most serious conversations which produce the best laughter."
--------------------------C.S. Lewis

"The important thing is that in every way... (including jokes) ...Christ is preached."
Philippians 1:18

Profile

THIS IS TO PROVE HE IS NOT A QUACK!
(Okay "prove" might be too strong of a word...skip this section if it does not matter to you whether he is a quack or not.)

Rev. Dr. F. Christopher Anderson

Pastor of Heidelberg UCC, York, PA since 1995.
(also known as "Chris of Heidelberg")

BA- SUNY Albany
M.Div.- Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
D.Min.- Lancaster Theological Seminary.

Dissertation:
"Two Thousand Years of Grace and The Church:
Hermeneutics in An Evangelical and Catholic Tradition."
(Only available from UMI, call 1-800-521-0600)

Information

THIS IS TO SELL YOU ON HIS TWO BOOKS of Theology and Humor, GOD IS STILL LAUGHING I & II.

GOD IS STILL LAUGHING III:
THE CONFIRMATION CATECHISM JOKE BOOK will be ready soon!
It contains humor and theology for those young people who are preparing for a public profession of faith!
It is based on The Apostles' Creed, The Ten Commandments and The Lord's Prayer.
It will also be a good source for humor and baisc Christian teaching for Confirmation teachers, pastors, youth pastors, Sunday School teachers and VBS teachers.
Even Baptists will find it helpful! ;-)

(All three are $8.00 each plus $2 S&H.)

------------------------------------------Praise for:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"GOD IS STILL LAUGHING I:
THE REVISED HEIDELBERG CATECHISM JOKE BOOK" (2005)*******
"What if Rodney Dangerfield & Karl Barth wrote a book together?"
*Theology and Jokes*
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

The book is filled with brief one-liners (see the examples below) under the original outline of the Heidelberg Catechism of Guilt, Grace and Gratitude.

I. GUILT:

Q. Do you believe in sin?
A. I not only believe in it, I have seen it and I have done it myself. (Romans 3:23/HC Q # 3)

Q. How often does the normal person say no to temptation?
A. Once weakly. (Luke 11:4)

Q. Which 20th century theologian was turned to the dark side?
A. Karl's brother, Darth Barth.

Q. What is the difference between a pastor and a canoe?
A. A canoe will tip sometimes.

II. GRACE:

Q. What can Mae West teach us about our justification?
A. "Goodness had nothing to do with it." (HC Q # 21)

Q. What did William Temple say is the only thing we contribute to our redemption?
A. Our sin. (NATURE, MAN AND GOD p. 401)

Q. What is the Vulgate?
A. The version of the Bible that Spock reads. (Jerome 1:1)

Q. What should a UCC candidate for ordination answer when asked: "Are you willing to 'go to hell' for the glory of God?"
A. "I'll go even farther in my devotion. I would say that this whole Association can 'go to hell' for the glory of God."

Q. What is the fastest growing denomination in the USA?
A. The Non-Denominational Denomination.

III. GRATITUDE:

Q. What mathematical symbol summarizes Part III?
A. 10 Q. ("You're welcome.") (HC Q # 86)

Q. What is the problem with religion today?
A. Many practice it but few are good at it. (HC Q # 114)

Q. What is the first thing that UCC people give up for Lent?
A. Going to church. (Hebrews 10:25)

Q. Where is the concept of a "Mid-Life Crisis" in the Bible?
A. Psalm 102:24 states: "'O my God,' I say, 'Do not take me away at the midpoint of my life.'" (NRSV)

Q. What didn't Jesus answer when the disciples asked: "Lord, teach us to pray...?"
A. "Pray the prayer of Jabez." (Luke 11:1/I Chronicles 4:10)


"outrageously funny"
CAL SAMRA, the author of HOLY HUMOR & MORE HOLY HUMOR
(THE JOYFUL NOISELETTER June/July 2006)

"The Rev. F. Christopher Anderson, pastor of Heidelberg UCC in York, PA, has published his own testament to the power of laughter -- UCC style...The Revised Heidelberg Catechism Joke Book pokes fun at just about everything UCC..."
J BENNETT GUESS (UNITED CHURCH NEWS, March 2006)

"I almost split my last weeks hernia stiches chuckling at the final pages of your Revised Heidelberg."
GABRIEL FACKRE, THE CHRISTIAN STORY

"Chris Anderson's book reminds us that there is something joyously ridiculous about our faith. Isn't it wonderful & laughably strange that the infinite God, maker of heaven & earth, would seek to have fellowship with flawed, trivial creatures like us? What was God thinking? This little volume introduces both confessional neophytes & jaded theologians to the visceral wonder of Christianity & the virtues of holy laughter."
DR. LEE BARRETT,
author of THE HEIDELBERG CATECHISM: A NEW TRANSLATION FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY
(2007 on Pilgrim Press...the Introduction by Barrett, "Catechisms and Doctrines -- What Good are They?", is worth the price of the book!)

"Clergy like Chris are few & far between - thank you, Jesus! Actually he brings a refreshing & outrageous perspective wrapped in a deep love for the church & its Reformed heritage...a good mix for any part of God's creation."
REV. DR. KAREN E KING, PCC ASSOCIATE CONFERENCE MINISTER

"He brings out humor in the Bible & gives you a differing way of looking at things...It makes Bible Study more interesting."
KARL JACOBS (a teenager, in THE YORK DISPATCH)

"neat little gold mine of theological humor."
JAVAN LAPP, http://javan.anabaptist.co.uk

"Chris, you are doing for theology what PLATO AND A PLATYPUS WALK INTO A BAR: UNDERSTANDING PHILOSOPHY THROUGH JOKES does for philosophy."
REV ROBERT L. ANDERSON, THE NEW CENTURY HYMNAL COMPANION







------------------------------------------Praise for:----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"GOD IS STILL LAUGHING II:
AID TO THE REVISED HEIDELBERG CATECHISM JOKE BOOK" (2007) ******
"What if Alfred E. Newman & Rev. James I. Good wrote a book together?"
*Theology and Humor*
__________________________________________________________________________________________________





"Theological humor as assumed many forms, ranging from the earthly hilarity of Luther's table talk, to Kierkegaard's scathing witticisms, and now to the doctrinal jocularity of Chris Anderson."
LEE BARRETT author of THE HEIDELBERG CATECHISM: A NEW TRANSLATION FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY (2007 Pilgrim Press)

"The jokes serve as a spring-board to introduce some of the most essential doctrinal themes of the Christian heritage. Profundity and laughter are co-joined."
LEE BARRETT

"Homilies & humor - do they go together? While a joke is a joke is a joke, & disappears by attempts to explain, the mix here of homily & humor is magic. Things appear you haven't seen but should. Don't miss the theological insights that go with grinning sights in 'GOD IS STILL LAUGHING II'"
GABRIEL FACKRE, THE CHRISTIAN STORY

Products/Services

Skip all the hype and just buy the books on humor and theology!!!

1.) "GOD IS STILL LAUGHING: THE REVISED HEIDELBERG CATECHISM JOKE BOOK" (2005)

$8.00 plus $2.00 S&H

2.) "GOD IS STILL LAUGHING II: AID TO THE REVISED HEIDELBERG CATECHISM JOKE BOOK" (2007)

$8.00 Plus $2.00 S&H

3.) "GOD IS STILL LAUGHING III: THE CONFIRMATION CATECHISM JOKE BOOK"
*****soon to be published!!!!
illustrated poorly by the author!!!!*****

$8.00 Plus $2.00 S&H

Make checks payable to:

Chris Anderson
38 S. Newberry St.
York, PA 17401

News

NEW BOOK!!!!

GOD IS STILL LAUGHING II:
AID TO THE REVISED HEIDELBERG CATECHISM JOKE BOOK
***************!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!is now available!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*************

THEOLOGY & JOKES or if you prefer JOKES & THEOLOGY


IT INCLUDES 19 HOLY HUMOR SERMONS!
The order of these sermons loosely follows Gabe Fackre's CHRISTIAN STORY:
Moving from Godhead, Creation, Fall, Covenant, Christ, Church, Holy Spirit, Salvation, to Consummation.

OVERVIEW
*****Holy Humor Sunday Sermons****
# 1 "The Three G's" (An overview of the catechism: 'Guilt, Grace, Gratitude')
GODHEAD
# 2 "Atheism"
# 3 "The Trinity" (Matthew 28:19)
CREATION
# 4 "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" (Song of Songs 1:2)
FALL
# 5 "Is Total Depravity Totally Bogus?"
CHRIST
# 6 "Is Christ a Crutch?"
HOLY SPIRIT
# 7 "Fruit or Nuts?" (on the work of the Holy Spirit)
CHURCH
# 8 "The Church, the Ark and the Stench." (Matthew 13:24-30)
SALVATION
# 9 "Humor in Predestination?" (Romans 8:29 & 30)
# 10 "Bait & Switch & Second Stage Christians" (Luke 18:9-14)
SERVICES
# 11 "Aisle, Altar, Hymn" (a wedding meditation)
# 12 "How Do You Want to be Remembered?" (a funeral meditation)
LIVING
# 13 "Two Types of Christians" (Luke 7:31-35)
# 14 "The Joke of Christian Literature" (Luke 11:1/I Chronicles 4:10)
# 15 "Prayer, Humor and Real Life."
# 16 "Women & the Bible"
# 17 "The Bible and the Sin of Sodom" (Ezekiel 16:49)
END
# 18 "When Christ Will Not Return" (Mt. 24:44)
# 19 "The One Verse Doctrine Danger" (Revelation 20:2)

IT ALSO INCLUDES:
a 6 page "Theolological Dictionary" that has such defintions as:

DOCETISM: Casper, the Friendly Ghost, as Jesus.
EPISTEMOLOGY: "How would I know?"
GNOSTICISM: "Nah, nah, nah ,nah, nah. I know and you don't"
INABILITY: "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up."
TULIP: A flower that gave Jacob Arminius an allergic reaction.


ALSO INCLUDED:
Two songs!

"Take Time to Be Funny"
(Based on "Take Time to Be Holy.")
The only Holy Humor Sunday hymn that I know.
Words are by the Rev. Robert L Anderson of York, PA

"Louie, Louie, Oh Berkof, You Gotta Go"
Soon to be an Arminian Classic ;-)
(Though please read sermon #9, "Humor in Predestination," for a full perspective on this topic.)
Words by F. Chris Anderson

ALSO INCLUDED:
Something the serious catechism scholar might actually be interested in:

THE 3 G'S PLUS by the Rev. John C. Miller of Ephrata, PA
instead of having only "Guilt, Grace and Gratitude" for an outline he has put together such alphabetical trinities as:
The 3 A's
"Angst, Absolution to Action"
&
The 3 P's
"Poison, Pardon to Paradise"
WITH 22 MORE!!!!!!!

Please send a check for your copy!

Chris Anderson
38 S. Newberry St.
York, PA 17401

Related links

• The Fellowship of Merry Christians
• Confessing Christ Movement in the United Church of Christ
• The United Church of Christ Home Page