Book Review: Holy Discontent
Holy Discontent: Fueling the Fire That Ignites Personal Vision
Bill Hybels
Zondervan
Hardcover, 149 pages
Suggested retail price: $14.99/Available for $10.19 at Amazon
Though I don’t agree with much of his approach, there is no denying that Bill Hybels is (or was?) one of the most influential figures in modern American “Christian” circles. As the founding pastor of Willow Creek Church in South Barrington, IL Hybels is credited with being at the forefront of what has come to be known as the “seeker sensitive” church movement. With an attendance of somewhere around 15,000, Hybels had the pragmatic ammunition to back up his philosophy.
And that’s just it for me. Much of what Hybels promotes boils down to pure pragmatism. In his latest book Holy Discontent: Feuling the Fire that Ignites Personal Vision, Hybels sets out to answer the question:
What is it that motivates people to work where they work, volunteer their time to the groups they serve, and donate money to the causes they support?
To put it even more simply, Hybels wants to know “Why do people do what they do?” Hybels argues that it is because God has placed a “holy discontent” inside each one of us. Everyone has a sense that the world is not quite right and that there are things to be fixed. In short, this is the point of Hybels’ book that God has given us the desire to fix things that are broken. The book jacket says it this way:
What is the one aspect of this broken world that, when you see it, touch it, or get near it, you just can’t stand? What reality is so troubling that it thrusts you off the couch and into action?
In striving to understand which aspect of the world God has given us a “discontent” about, Hybels encourages us each to find our own “Popeye Moment.” You know, in the Popeye cartoons after Brutus has just made off with Olive Oyle for the last time and
Popeye gurlges out “Thats all I can stands and I can’t stands no more!” Then, just as Popeye opens that can of spinach, we know that that’s not the only can he’s opening! We must each examine our own lives and surroundings for that which we can’t take any more of and GO FIX IT! Hybels mixes several historical and biblical narratives of people who “made a difference” until you’re left feeling guilty for sitting long enough to even read the book.
If all of this sounds vaguely like a motivational speech, that’s because it is. Hybels is a great public speaker and a great motivator. Yet that doesn’t mean Hybels is a great theologian. It’s not that there’s necessarily anything theologically incorrect in the book, it’s just that for all the talk of God giving us the “holy discontent,” it’s a book that at the core, is just reminding us that we need to be active in “doing good.” There is no theological framework of sin explaining why things are the way they are and there is conversely no theological framework of redemption demonstrating how they ought to be made. It is simply a motivational book. Though he does deal with Ephesians 2:10, and 2 Corinthians 3:18, the bulk of the book merely uses Scripture as part of the motivational pep talk rather than as a foundation. Scripture almost feels like an afterthought rather than a motivation itself.
The book’s approach almost leaves one with the impression that the battle against sin and it’s stains on the world can be won with just a big community clean up campaign. If we all got together and “did more,” the world would be a better place. While it’s true that we need to be encouraged to be more active, this undermines the seriousness of sin, salvation and our reliance on God in the fight against sin.
Another word of caution: some readers with less discernment may feel that any burden they have been given is automatically God’s burden. Though Hybels does try to strike this balance, his overall approach might lead many to assume that everything we are discontent about is everything God is discontent about and that’s not necessarily the case, especially without establishing the proper theological framework with sin as the primary battle. Again, even a brief discussion about the impact and continuing stain of sin would have been quite helpful and set many of these issues in their proper context. Though sin is alluded to, it is never directly addressed in depth.
At the end of the day, it is a good motivational book that dances around rather than with many important theological issues. If you’re looking for a pep rally, this might be a good book for you. If you’re looking for some meat, perhaps you shouldn’t be shopping in the dairy aisle.
NOTE: I was given a copy of this book by Zondervan for review but the views expressed here are entirely my own.
It’s funny, I went to one of Hybels’ Leadership Summits a few years back. That is where I must have picked up the phrase, “Holy Discontent.” Because I use it all the time. However, like you say, I use it in the context not just of Ephesians 2:10 but in the context of Ephesians 2:1-10. Does that make sense?
Basically, I completely agree with your review. But I also want to point out that the phrase is actually very helpful pastorally when it is put into a theological context that includes Gen 1-2, 3, and the cross.
Thoughts?
I agree and that’s why I tried to point out that the book would have been much more powerful had Hybels developed the full Biblical and theological framework. There’s much right about what he says but there’s also much missing.
I’d say that, as with most seeker sensitive authors, this book has some content that could be helpful to a true believer. Only problem is, the negligence of these seeker friendly authors and pastors to actually deal with the unconverted souls of their readers and listeners leaves the material devoid of any true power to accomplish its actual goal.
I’m reminded of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 4:19-20 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power. For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power.
The power of the Gospel is found in truth- the whole truth. And the truth of this matter is that the fruit in our lives comes directly from being connected to the vine. We can’t produce truly “good” works apart from Him. And we can’t truly be a part of Him unless we are first regenerated. And we will not be regenerated unless we are exposed to the truth of the Gospel. So, preaching to lost people about making the world a better place by doing things FOR God or even in the name of God becomes an empty endeavor.
By the way, I couldn’t help but laugh when you provided a link to buying Popeye cartoons. Very funny.
This is our concern, dude.
Folks in church look around and get discontent about something, assuming their thing is now the most important ministry or need or whatever, at least in God’s eyes.
Now, if you don’t share that desire (whether it be to serve in the soup kitchen or go to Zimbabwe or vote Republican or be in the prayer ministry or whatever), then you don’t really love Jesus.
By the way, if you folks don’t show up to the Fellowship of Reformed Churches conference on 11/17, then you don’t love Jesus … and the terrorists have already won.