Christianity Doesn't Exist Without Hope

Our hope is in Christ.

Hope that despite the fact that sin and death still rule the world, Jesus somehow conquers them. Hope that in him and through him all of us stand a chance of somehow conquering them too. Hope that at some unforeseeable time and in some unimaginable way Jesus will return with healing in his wings.

C.S. Lewis in his book, Mere Christianity says,
“We as humans carry a need that can’t be met in this world . . . me must therefore be made for another world."
I love this quote because it captures all that Advent and Christianity stands for. Christians’ hope is in a Christ that returns with heaven and healing in his wings.

But this is very hard for us because we are not trained to think of heaven as our ultimate resting place. We think of Sunday afternoon naps, the Tennessee Titans winning five games in a row, buying new electronics, watching the sunrise with a blanket and a cup of Joe, or eating ice cream on the beach. But heaven, well that is strange for us to think about. I guess it is because we are so removed from the notion that Jesus might actually come back – we look to meet our needs elsewhere.

But Frederick Buechner says,
“Christianity is wishful thinking. Even the part about judgment and Hell reflects the wish that somewhere the score is being kept. Dreams are wishful thinking. Children playing at being grown-ups is wishful thinking. Interplanetary travel is wishful thinking. Sometimes wishing is the wings that truth comes true on. Sometimes the truth is what sets us wishing for it.”
So what am I talking about? I’m talking about hope.

Christian hope is hope in Christ, hope in the return of Christ, and the need for another life. Christianity does not exist without these hopes. The founding principle of Christianity is we will prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord.

One of my favorite movies of all time is “Shawshank Redemption.” I love it when Andy tells his best friend Red to go to a field, find a tree, dig up a box, and see what’s inside. Red goes to the field, finds the tree, finds the box and opens it. He reads a letter from Andy. In that letter Andy writes, “Hope is a good thing. Maybe even the best of things.”

For Christians, hope is just that. Christianity doesn’t exist without it. Hope for us is a good thing, and it may even be the best of things.

Comments

Adam said…
I wholeheartedly agree with your title, Barrett. Hope (in Christ, his return, etc. as you say) is absolutely essential to Christianity. And what a hope it is!

But, to be nit-picky about your last statement (cause lets face it, I'm always nit-picky), love is even greater than hope (1 Cor 13:13).

Maybe you'll indulge us with your thoughts on the role of faith and love in true Christianity as well? :)

Enjoying the blog, man, keep it coming.
December 3, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Barrett Owen said…
Thanks Adam. Feel free to 'nit-pick.' You are actually tapping in to my theme for Advent. I am showing how Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love all carry what seems to be the essential piece to the Christian faith puzzle. This week is hope. It is almost a paradox to think all four of them play an equal role to our faith. Luckily Christianity owns and accepts paradoxes.

Oh, I haven't forgotten about the 'naked now.' I will talk more about it after Advent. It will be theme for the beginning of next year.
December 4, 2009 at 1:04 PM
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