A. W. Tozer and Holy Laughter

[victoryword]

Since some of the folks here seem to feel negatively towards certain "manifestations", I thought I would point out a well known Evangelical who actually endorsed what is known today as "Holy Laughter." A. W. Tozer spoke positively about this type of manifestation:

Now I say that worship is subject to degrees of perfection and intensity. There have been those who worshiped God to the place where they were in ecstasies of worship. I once saw a man kneel at an altar, taking Communion. Suddenly he broke into holy laughter. This man laughed until he wrapped his arms around himself as if he was afraid he would bust just out of sheer delight in the presence of Almighty God. . . . So worship is capable of running from the very simple to the most intense and sublime. - A. W. Tozer, Worship: The Missing Jewel (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, 1992), 20-21.
​

It seems that it is only the critics of our day and time who claim to be Charismatic, but do not want any of the manifestations that are usually a part of the Charismatic Movement, are the harshest critics. It is funny that you find the harshest critics of a movement are those who claim to be a part of the movement. Yet, here was Tozer, a man who did not confess to being a Charismatic, but instead was a very well known and respected Evangelical. Yet, he endorses what is called "holy laughter."

Ain't dat sumtin'

 

[KleinerApfel]

Ain't dat sumtin'

Yup!

 

[ProAmerican]

Since some of the folks here seem to feel negatively towards certain "manifestations", I thought I would point out a well known Evangelical who actually endorsed what is known today as "Holy Laughter." A. W. Tozer spoke positively about this type of manifestation:

Now I say that worship is subject to degrees of perfection and intensity. There have been those who worshiped God to the place where they were in ecstasies of worship. I once saw a man kneel at an altar, taking Communion. Suddenly he broke into holy laughter. This man laughed until he wrapped his arms around himself as if he was afraid he would bust just out of sheer delight in the presence of Almighty God. . . . So worship is capable of running from the very simple to the most intense and sublime. - A. W. Tozer, Worship: The Missing Jewel (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, 1992), 20-21.








​

It seems that it is only the critics of our day and time who claim to be Charismatic, but do not want any of the manifestations that are usually a part of the Charismatic Movement, are the harshest critics. It is funny that you find the harshest critics of a movement are those who claim to be a part of the movement. Yet, here was Tozer, a man who did not confess to being a Charismatic, but instead was a very well known and respected Evangelical. Yet, he endorses what is called "holy laughter."





Ain't dat sumtin'

Ah, this evangelical is to be placed before the primacy of the scriptures?

I like Tozier, but Paul commended the Bereans for searching the scriptures in his time to see if what he was saying was from God. If Paul could come back today he would commend Christians for searching the scriptures to see if the Laughing Revival was/is from God.

What you are doing with this thread is basically a rhetorical trick called an appeal to authority. You are in effect, saying, here is this great evangelical, Tozier, so I will appeal to him and what he has to say...in an attempt to bolster your argument.

Nice try.

We must look to the scriptures to see if something is a manifestation from God. If there is no scriptural basis, to say, entire congregations laughing uncontrollably, people being stuck to the floor in "Holy Ghost Glue" people barking like dogs, mooing, etc, then one cannot know with 100% certainty that they are manifestations from God.

We know that talking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance, laying hands on the sick, dreaming dreams, seeing visions, the gifts of the Spirit being for today, are backed by the Bible, and are therefore scripturally sound manifestations/occurences.

Since there will be great deception in the last days, we cannot take a chance on being duped. If there is no scriptural basis for the Laughing Revival, then one should leave it alone(i.e. stay away from it).IMHO.

There were many Charismatics who were/are opposed to much if not most of what took place during the Laughing Revival. One does not have to agree with the Laughing Revival as being from God in order to qualify as being a Charismatic. One can be opposed to even all or most of it and still be a Charismatic.

 

[Father Rick]

Any honest study of Church history will reveal that there have always been occurrencs of those who "fell into trances", experienced "ecstatic states", etc. where believers would be overcome with emotion or appear frozen for hours at a time as they encountered the presence of the Risen Christ.

This is particularly true within what is know as the 'mystic tradition' of the Church, such as the Desert Fathers.

Now, I must also point out that some of the Church's greatest writings, both devotional and theological, also came from those who embraced/experienced such manifestations.

 

[KleinerApfel]

Since there will be great deception in the last days, we cannot take a chance on being duped.

Can't take a chance? You might miss a few good things in life that way!

If there is no scriptural basis for the Laughing Revival, then one should leave it alone.

I might have left it alone if I'd known it was coming to get me, but it kind of took me by surprise! LOL!
You probably think I was duped then.
Ah well.

One does not have to agree with the Laughing Revival as being from God in order to qualify as being a Charismatic. One can be opposed to all or most of it and still be a Charismatic.

Of course.

God bless, love Sue

 

[CrazyforYeshua]

I've had that experience, and I can tell you, it definitely wasn't a demonic thing. I was at a service, it was during ministry time, and the Spirit was moving. I think it's just overwhelming joy of the Lords' presence.

just my .$02

 

[victoryword]

We know that talking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance, laying hands on the sick, dreaming dreams, seeing visions, the gifts of the Spirit being for today, are backed by the Bible, and are therefore scripturally sound manifestations/occurences.

And yet, they are hardly occurring among Charismatics today because the Charismatics affirm that these are for today but as soon as someone does them they claim that what THAT person or group did is not from God. Many of these types of Charismatics usually NEVER see these things nor do they pursue them. They only give lip service to them.

The Charismatic movement today seems to be made up of a bunch of PHARISEES.

Since there will be great deception in the last days, we cannot take a chance on being duped. If there is no scriptural basis for the Laughing Revival, then one should leave it alone(i.e. stay away from it).IMHO.

Sounds more like FEAR-MONGERING. While we are warned of apostasy happening in the latter times, we are not told to go around picking apart every experience that we don't like. This type of fear mongering keeps the average person from really enjoying the things of God. Furthermore, God tells us that if we ask Him for something specific, we need not fear receiving a substitute (Matt. 7:7-11).

There were many Charismatics who were/are opposed to much if not most of what took place during the Laughing Revival. One does not have to agree with the Laughing Revival as being from God in order to qualify as being a Charismatic. One can be opposed to even all or most of it and still be a Charismatic.

NO, the only requirement for being a "Charismatic" these days is to have an intellectual affirmation of the Charismata. No need to see it in manifestation. Nowadays we just have to say, "I believe in the Charismata" and then you are pronounced to be Charismatic.

 

[TreeOfLife]

Arf, arf?

 

[YAWANNAKNOWJESUS?]

The joy of the Looorrrd is my strength The joy of the Looorrrd is my strength

The joy of the Looorrrd is my strength The joy of the Lorrd is my stength

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

The joy of the Lorrd is my stength






Some do not understand the ways of God. We have no right to limit God.

 

[KleinerApfel]

Arf, arf?

ROFL?

 

[KleinerApfel]

The joy of the Looorrrd is my strength The joy of the Looorrrd is my strength

The joy of the Looorrrd is my strength The joy of the Lorrd is my stength

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

The joy of the Lorrd is my stength

Beautiful song YWKJ! Singing along with you!

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

Arf, arf?

Have you got the interpretation for that?

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

Ah, this evangelical is to be placed before the primacy of the scriptures?

I like Tozier, but Paul commended the Bereans for searching the scriptures in his time to see if what he was saying was from God. If Paul could come back today he would commend Christians for searching the scriptures to see if the Laughing Revival was/is from God.

What you are doing with this thread is basically a rhetorical trick called an appeal to authority. You are in effect, saying, here is this great evangelical, Tozier, so I will appeal to him and what he has to say...in an attempt to bolster your argument.

Nice try.

We must look to the scriptures to see if something is a manifestation from God. If there is no scriptural basis, to say, entire congregations laughing uncontrollably, people being stuck to the floor in "Holy Ghost Glue" people barking like dogs, mooing, etc, then one cannot know with 100% certainty that they are manifestations from God.

Firstly, The Pharisees knew the Scriptures backward, yet they would not believe that the miracles of Jesus were acts of the power of God. Nor did they believe that He was the Christ, the son of the living God. So these knowledgeable men had Jesus, the Son of God crucified. So knowing and studying the Scriptures is not always an indication of being able to discern what manifestations are of God or not.

Secondly, I didn't think that the OP was about the 'laughing revival' that has recently taken place. All I saw was Tozer, a man respected as one of history's great men of God, endorsing the manifestation and expression of joy in the Lord through laughter. Joy is one of the fruit of the Spirit, so laughter as part of worship has a definite scriptural basis.

Isn't it interesting that there are people who put down what great men of God in history taught in times past about the themes they disagree with. I guess I might listen to the current criticisms if the people criticising have the calibre of men like Tozer and Spurgeon had.

 

[TreeOfLife]

Have you got the interpretation for that?

come quick, Timmy fell in a hole.

 

[PastorJoey]

Arf! Arf!

come quick, Timmy fell in a hole.

I'm all for Holy Ghost laughter, but no animal noises in my church!

 

[TreeOfLife]

Arf! Arf!
I'm all for Holy Ghost laughter, but no animal noises in my church!

I confess. I stole that one from an old "Lassie" episode.

 

[HoraceTheCat]

come quick, Timmy fell in a hole.

Aha! It's one of the ones I dug in the dead of night!

 

[HoraceTheCat]

Arf! Arf!
I'm all for Holy Ghost laughter, but no animal noises in my church!

Oh well... I wouldn't be welcome there.... Even though I am capable of deep philosophical, theological and intellectual thought, all I can actually say is 'Meoww!'

 

[swifteagle]

OK, OK ~ I admit it!...I WAS THERE!!!! At Toronto & Brownsville... I admit it!!

IT WAS WONDERFUL!!!

Sorry, Proamerican ~ didn't hear no barking dogs ~ just the overwhelming joy of the Lord!

swifteagle ><>

 

[chilifrankplate]

I seriously doubt that every single manifestation of the Holy Spirit has been recorded in the Bible. You don't have to believe it though if you don't want to. I believe that if Jesus is being preached and praised in spirit, and in truth, then whatever comes is from God.