Customer Reviews

Laugh Again

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This is probably the best study of the book of Phillipians that I have ever read. It's easy to follow, brings out a perspective that is unique and insightful, and it speaks on a subject sorely needed in today's stressed-out world. Laugh Again is truly a self-help book good for the new millenium regardless of the original publishing date. Buy it for anyone you think needs some Outrageous Joy!

A person who experiences joy is not one who has an absence of troubles, but one who has learned to live abundantly in spite of circumstances. Swindoll tells us life was meant to be enjoyed, not merely endured. He advises us not to let circumstances control our emotions. On page 19 he writes "There is nothing better than a joyful attitude when we face the challenges life throws at us." We told to laugh in spite of, not because of circumstances. He tells us to relish the moment. Live life in the now.
The confidence such people have is based in God. They trust His love, His sovereignty, His plan, although they may not see what the future holds.
The apostle Paul is a role model of living a life of this nature. Swindoll says Paul drained every drop of joy out of every day (p. 27).
Chapter two tells us that joy is a choice we make. It is a decision made from our own free will.
Chapter three sells us on this joyful way to live. We're told to regularly deposit the right kind of emotions in our internal bank (p. 51).
This book is full of positive, solid, Scriptural principles for how to live the life Jesus intended His followers to live.
It is a powerfully strong book.

This book is a prime example of how an able Bible expositor can sometimes rework a scripture text in order to make it say what he wants it to say. Swindoll does this throughout his book LAUGH AGAIN, which is a loose exposition of the book of Philippians. He substitutes the word `laughter' for `joy' and transforms the book of Philippians into a message that helps us to laugh about life. His application of the first eleven verses of Phillipians 1 is that we begin to laugh again when we place our full confidence in God (p. 44, large print edition). Moreover, his title for the chapter on Philippians 2:12-18 is "While Laughing, Keep your Balance." When Swindoll is determined to teach something that isn't in the text, his exposition tends to go awry, and that is exactly what happens in this book.

Dr. Swindoll would have been farther ahead to write a book about experiencing more joy in your life and letting Philippians speak for itself. Not only would joy have been a relevant topic of discussion, but this approach would have modeled for his readers how to handle scripture. I do not recommend this book, but Swindoll has written other books that I do recommend heartily, including his GROWING DEEP IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE and his book PAUL from the stories of great lives series.

I would like to offer the following review of Charles Swindoll's book "Laugh Again".

The book is very inspiring for any reader. Mr. Swindoll explains that past memories haunt our minds. This book addresses that problem and helps people to begin to LAUGH AGAIN!

Terrific Book!

Swindoll has written an excellent book encouraging the reader to not take him/herself so seriously that all joy is gone from life.

The book is a refreshing change from the excellent and decidedly more serious titles Swindoll has written in the past.

Each of the 14 chapters contains biblical admonitions to not be so stressed out on life and to realize the joy you can have in Jesus Christ. While life has challenges, Swindoll encourages us to not look like we have been sucking lemons or tasting vinegar all day!

Read and be encouraged to learn to just chill every so often!

Laugh Again was great. Pastor Chuck offers timeless wisdon from the book of Philippians that should be used in every Christians' life. It was also a fun read.

Well written and easy to understand. Swindoll hits the target with his encouragement to develop and keep our sense of humor, and not let the problems of the world take away our joy.

I personally have not read the book but I purchased it for a friend how was going through a rough time. She told me she absolutely loved it, and it has helped her to put certain things in her life in perspective.

This book is a great read. It is humorous and yet has a great message that people need to read and take to heart.

Rusty Roses

Swindoll's dated book (1992 hardback) claims to be about laughter but it's really a mostly dry Bible study on "joy" in the New Testament book of Philippians. It is NOT a book that looks into laughter in the scripture--as a matter of fact he ignores the fact that there ISN'T laughter in the New Testament! Instead he misinterprets the word "joy" for "laughter" and "happiness." Those are all very different things.

He doesn't use many practical examples--this is mostly a sermon-like, verse-by-verse approach to Philippeans. When he does use examples they are odd choices of people who actually disprove his theories. Mother Teresa is one of the first he mentions, quoting her about the need to be joyful, but the saintly woman who rarely smiled was not talking about laughing! He also mentions former coach Tom Landry (a real sourpuss whenever shown on TV) and British author Malcolm Muggeridge (one of the saddest-looking people ever). So while Swindoll tries to claim the book is about laughter, in reality he can't find laughter in the New Testament nor in the people he uses as examples!

Most offensive is his swipe at the Pope--in discussing the word "saints" (why is that needed in this book?) he claims that "Pope John Paul II has been sainting more men and women than all of his predecesors in the 20th century." He then briefly explains what the Catholic church requires to be a saint, then says, "I should also add you need a pretty good slug of money to saint people." What? They don't saint people in order to make money! His views are archaic and demeaning to Catholic readers.

His interpretation of Scripture is just strange in many places--he takes a simple word and then twists it to fit a different meaning. He says that "the most Christlike attitude on earth" is NOT LOVE but is being "unselfish" (how this ties into the theme of the book isn't exactly stated!). He also claims that he has studied Jesus and "I find no evidence of impatience or anxious irritability as I study his life." What? Did he skip over Jesus sweating blood before he was crucified or turning over the tables in the Temple?

He isn't preaching the pure word of God...he is preaching his own word and then supporting it with scriptures that really don't have anything to do with what he concludes. The theme of the book is a good example--"Laugh Again" implies that God wants you to laugh, yet there is nothing in scripture that supports that. Does he show there are some verses that support "joy"? Yes--but that is not the same as laughter and often those joy verses come from Paul who wrote of having joy through his serious pain. Paul wasn't laughing as he was being whipped in prison, though he did "count it all joy."

This is the first Swindoll book I have read and will be the last--he is tricky in his twisting of scripture and creating a conclusion that just isn't there. I was looking for steps to be happy and instead came away unhappy.