While little credit is given to his writings, it seems that Leszek Kolakowski’s essay, “Theses on Hope and Hopelessness (1971),” may have been a catalyst for large hegemonic changes in the world in the 1990s. In his essay, he theorized that self-organized social groups could gradually expand and disrupt the abuse and restrictions of a totalitarian state. In many ways, the 1980s Polish Solidarity movement was based on this, and deeply impacted communist central Europe. Solidarity is the act of people uniting and identifying for a set reason in support of the greater group.
Look around you today, and the title of Kolakowski’s essay reflects many individuals today. There is a feeling of hopelessness in many pockets of culture today. These can seen in grander cultural narratives in our country, and in smaller ways of individuals and families. Just stop to listen to many Millennials who are at an economic disadvantage compared to their grandparents, who could find middle class jobs that supported a family.
What is the answer to hopelessness? Of course, there is no easy answer. However, part of any answer needs to point one to Christ. Bottom-line. The cool thing is that Jesus was willing to radically come into solidarity with humanity (Hebrews 2:9). He humbled Himself so that He could identify with people. And get this, he was willing to even “taste death” in His radical identification with humanity.
Now, Jesus is the answer to much of the hopelessness that leaves people stranded in a state of despair. Jesus was there. Jesus understands. Don’t think you have a corner on hopelessness. Today, simply turn to the One who is able to come to the aid of those who feel hopeless (Hebrew 2:18).
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