The ultimate goal is to answer which approach to life is Christian. But first things first: What is an optimist? And what is a pessimist?
An optimist is one who expects that good will come. Even in
the worst circumstances, he holds onto a hope that all will turn out well. Some are tenacious optimists, expecting great good to come even as
everything is falling apart. Others are more cautious, sticking only to the
mantra that “everything happens for a reason” (and that reason, of course, is
some unseen-but-certainly-coming good).
In contrast to the optimist, the pessimist expects the worst. He has seen the
inevitable downfall and dissolution of all good things, even those that seemed most permanent. As a result, he thinks his view is more realistic
than that of the optimist. The optimist, in the pessimist’s eyes, is a naïve
chap who needs to learn from the school of life. To paraphrase G.K. Chesterton,
a pessimist is quite pleased to witness the bad that he expected, if only because
it gives him the chance to say, “I told you so.”
Which is Christian?
So, between the optimist and the pessimist, which
disposition toward life is actually Christian? It seems that pessimism is by no means a Christian view of
the world. A religion that claims to offer hope to its followers would be
difficult to classify as pessimistic. How could one believe that “God makes all
things work together for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28), and yet
still expect the worst to come? How could a religion with a radio station like
“positive, encouraging K-LOVE” be classified as pessimistic?
And yet, the classification of Christianity as pessimistic
does indeed fit in some ways. Christianity takes very seriously the fact that
all things fall apart and that death and dissolution eventually overtake all.
Very rightly so, the Christian expects not worldly triumph and glory, but loss
and humiliation. That was, after all, the end met by the pioneer of the
Christian faith, Jesus Christ.
But Christianity is no pessimistic religion.
Though it does expect “trials and tribulations” to come, and though it refuses
to deny the reality of death, it still retains hope that good will prevail in
the End. However, this is no worldly optimism, as if being Christian means overcoming
the odds on your way to becoming successful and comfortable. Triumphalism has
no place among a people who worship a crucified Lord.
Hopeful Realism
The Christian disposition toward life can best be termed
hopeful realism. It retains its realistic view of the world, but also believes in and hopes for a reality greater than that
which we see. We walk by faith, not by sight. And that faith is placed in the
Lord who, yes, was crucified, but also was raised. This gives rise to the
unshakeable hope of Christianity. Such hope is rooted not in a silly or superstitious
optimism, but in the God who raises the dead. Death and dissolution are not
thereby avoided, but redeemed and overcome.
Of course, this is an eschatological hope. That is, it is a
hope that all will be well in the world
to come. In the meantime, this world is a mix of good and bad – not
meaningless good and bad, but good and bad meant to conform God’s people to the
image of Jesus Christ. Such conformation to Christ is preparation for the Day
on which the Christian hope will have its fulfillment – all will be made well,
rectified and redeemed so that those who have been conformed to Christ can
enjoy everlasting glory and communion with Him.
Neither optimism nor pessimism is a Christian
approach to life. Hopeful realism is. In his realism, the Christian might come
across to the optimists as quite pessimistic. But in his steadfastness of hope,
he may seem absurdly optimistic to the pessimists. But really, he is neither.
He sees reality as it is, and he hopes for the redemption of reality in the world
to come. Such hope is the salvation of his soul, “For we are saved by hope.”
(Romans 8:24, KJV)
