On Cynicism, pt. 3 (subverting the -isms)

You cynics out there thought there was no hope for me blogging about cynicism again, didn't you? You were wrong; there's always hope.

Today, I want to discuss the other -isms. Along with cynicism, one often finds the discussion drifting into accusations regarding one's pessimism or optimism. That is, cynics are most often derided for being hopeless pessimists, and those who are not cynical as ignorant optimists. So which is it? Either you are a pessimist or an optimist, right?

The best way to avoid any such polemic is subversion.

We take our cue from Jesus. In the Sermon on the Mount, it happens typically as, "You have heard it said, 'Do not _____,' but I say _______." Or again, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents...?" Of course, Jesus' answer is neither. It's always neither, isn't it? Jesus is so subversive. So in thinking through cynicism, to respond properly to the debate on pessimism vs. optimism requires subversion.

This time, we take our cue from Leslie Newbigin:
"I'm neither an optimist nor a pessimist. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead."

I believe this quote effectively destroys cynicism. We do not proclaim an opinion. We do not proclaim fiction or a feeling. We do not proclaim a private, individualistic, spiritual dream. We proclaim the reality of a risen Savior. What reason do we have to give up hope? What cause is there for pessimism?

At the same time, what cause is there for optimism? It is revealed as incomplete, ignorant, and immature. Let me explain. True and pure optimism believes that all things will return a positive outcome. The minister within me yearns to reference Webster here; the self-respecting man resists, but you can check it if you want. The point is that the reality of life, indeed, the reality even of Scripture, is that optimism has been thwarted. Read Job. Read the prophets. If all things had in fact turned out for good, what need was there for Jesus Christ to die. That we proclaim a risen Savior by its very nature means that something has gone and remains drastically wrong with our present reality. We deny optimism because it fails to account for reality.

And so we subvert the legitimacy of both the hopeless pessimist and the ignorant optimist. We do not deny the dark reality of our world, but neither do we ignore the light that has come and continues to penetrate the darkness. I am neither an optimist nor a pessimist. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.