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

Matt Howell

Softcover

ISBN 13: 9798990698345

Publisher: RYM Publishing, 2026

Synopsis

What if the story of the world is not a tragedy but a comedy? In on the Joke, Matt Howell invites readers to discover humor not as a distraction from the Christian life, but as a window into its very heart. With theological depth, biblical insight, and a few dad jokes, Howell argues that laughter is woven into the fabric of reality because it is woven into the character of God Himself. From the absurd reversals of Scripture to the scandalous surprise of grace, this book reveals a God who delights in the unexpected-and invites his people to do the same.

Blending storytelling, theology, and playful reflection, In on the Joke explores how humor is first savored as a divine gift and then stewarded as a powerful tool for love. Both deeply serious and joyfully irreverent, this book will challenge your assumptions, deepen your worship, and help you see that to laugh well is, in some profound sense, to live well.

“Every once and a while...a book comes along that is astonishingly original. It makes you wonder, ‘Why did no one ever think of this before?’ Matt Howell’s In on the Joke is just such a volume." - Michael J. Kruger

About this title

About the Author

Matt Howell is the senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Memphis, TN. He grew up in Dallas, TX, graduated from the University of Oklahoma, and then served with Reformed University Fellowship for over a decade. He and his wife Kathryn have two amazing children. Matt loves levity and laughter (stand up comedy and parties), surprise and wonder (magic, pranks, and practical jokes), creation and celebration (drawing, music and cooking), and exploring and learning (hiking, a good podcast, and conversations over tea).

Edition details

• Publisher: RYM Publishing
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 13: 9798990698345
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 244