The Cult of Optimism

James Kwak at Baseline Scenario quotes a New Yorker article about the mega rich money managers in Manhattan who are watching the world come to an end right now.  One of the successful money managers, one Colyn Negrych, has a particularly poignant observation:

“What constituency is there for pessimism? People believe optimism is necessary, an American right. The presumption of optimism is the problem. That’s what creates the debt we have now.”

This is exactly the point I was making in my post about “Eschatology and Epistemology: Christians and the Housing Bubble”.

This also explains one major beef I have with the defenders of Arminianism.  I’ve seen numerous people argue that “God is Love, so he’ll give every unbeliever numerous chances to be saved, even it that doesn’t involve acknowledging the supremacy of Christ.”  They take God’s love and throw out the fear of God.  They even argue, “What constituency is there for fear of God?  People won’t believe in God or feel good about God if he is fearsome.  Belief in our own innate goodness is an American right.”

This presumption of our own innate goodness, of our own entitlement to stand in judgment of God and accept him only if he is harmless and cuddly enough, is what creates the spiritual deficit we have now.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 is instructive:

Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.