Mere Hope Life in an Age of Cynicism by Jason G. Duesing
Published by B&H Publishing Group Nashville, Tennessee, 2018

In the modern age cynicism is running wild. It is becoming more and more difficult to trust others, even those we think we know. It is also difficult to know if someone is giving an honest opinion or a selfish attempt to promote themselves. Of course we have always known that only God can be truly trusted and counted upon to be dependable, but we’d like to think that people, at least some people, can be counted on as well.
With this growing cynicism in society today, Duesing tells us that there is hope. Hope in the Gospel. Hope in the One that is dependable and trustworthy. This hope never fails. He divides the book into four major sections, each dealing how one can have real hope. The first section is “Look Down”. This section deals with the foundation of hope. There must be a good and sure foundation for hope, that foundation is Jesus. The next section is called, “Look In.” This section deals with hope not being just in Jesus, but that it is Jesus Himself. He, who is Hope, lives within each believer. As a Christian I have Hope living in me. The third section, “Look Out,” which deals with looking for where hope is in the world. If you look closely enough you will find people doing good deeds and helping others, especially in the aftermath of a devastating storm. In the last section called “Look Up,” Duesing focuses on the purpose of hope. This focuses in on what Jesus has promised to us all. That one day He will return to earth and there will be no more pain and suffering. That is the hope we long for, that is the hope that we will have, until then we merely hope.
I would definitely recommend this book. There are plenty of quotes from scholars who have written through the years on the subject of hope. There are also practical applications of how to live out life with hope.

-Jud Waldrop