Laughing Revival
The term "Laughing Revival" is not explicitly found in the Bible; rather, it is a phenomenon that arose in the late 20th century, particularly associated with the charismatic and Pentecostal movements. It refers to a spiritual experience where individuals exhibit uncontrollable laughter during worship services, often interpreted as a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Proponents of this revival claim that such laughter is a sign of joy, healing, and liberation from burdens, echoing the biblical concept of joy in the Lord found in passages like Psalm 126:2, which states, "Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy."Theologically, those who support the Laughing Revival may draw upon examples from Scripture where joy and laughter are expressed in the presence of God. For instance, Ecclesiastes 3:4 notes that "there is a time to weep and a time to laugh," suggesting that laughter has a divine place in the human experience. However, critics often view such manifestations with skepticism, arguing that they may detract from the seriousness of worship and biblical teachings. Therefore, while the Laughing Revival is a modern expression of faith, its roots can be traced to deeper biblical themes of joy and the workings of the Holy Spirit, albeit with varying interpretations and acceptance within the broader Christian community.