Book Review - Hope Has Its Reasons

Previously posted: December 15, 2014

“Hope Has Its Reasons” is a book to show seekers that answers to life’'s current problems can be found in Christianity. It makes these arguments in a clear, logical and succinct manner that is very easy to follow. Pippert’s first order of business is to show, using many helpful illustrations, how we are flawed. Not just that we sometimes or often err or make mistakes, but that our general nature is the root cause for most of the problems that we encounter. The reason that we all too often do not recognize this is because we live in a constant state of denial. One of the ways that we do this is by constantly making ourselves the exception and, often we take it a step further and claim that we are innocent.

Another way that we live in a state of denial is by thinking that we are completely in control of our lives and our circumstances. Pippert says that our imagination gets us into trouble because we often imagine ourselves to be more than we are. By using examples from her own life and a character named Clamence who is the protagonist in a novel entitled “The Fall” by Albert Camus, the author’s message is easy to follow and understand.

On top of being flawed and living in a state of denial, Pippert also correctly identifies that we often seek to find happiness and fulfillment in things that “cater to the darker side of our nature.” Materialism, romance, sexuality, religion, and self-help are some of the avenues that the author points out that we incorrectly use to find meaning and purpose in life.

After identifying all of these problems, Pippert leads her readers to this conclusion: “If the happiness we seek is victory over human limitations, then it cannot be carried out by ourselves or any other human being.” Again she uses simple logic. “Only what transcends us can transform us.”

Because the human problems began when we chose to live outside of God’s will, then only living within His will can alleviate the problems. Since we cannot, as the author already pointed out, make the necessary changes ourselves, if we are going to be restored to what we God intended for us to be then God will have to do the restoration. God’s chosen vehicle for accomplishing this feat; the cross. Jesus Christ the Son of God, fully God and fully man, carried the weight of the judgment that we deserved in order to bring about forgiveness and restoration that is unmerited.

Jesus Christ not only died for our sins, but resurrected with all power in his hands. That life-giving, transformative and restorative power is given to believers when we receive Christ. By repenting of our sins and taping into that power source and disconnecting any power that we might thing we have we can also have a joyous, resurrected life.

Finally, we have to die to ourselves so that we can walk in the power of God. This means we have to submit our will to Him. We need to change our will and our behavior. Pippert says, “ "God is at work in us to transform our hearts and make us into his image, while our wills must work on resolutely to train our habits to conform to His will.”"