Review of:  Hope and Other Superpowers: A Life-Affirming, Love-Defending, Butt-Kicking, World-Saving Manifesto

John Pavlovitz.  Simon & Schuster, $20.00 (240p) ISBN 978-1-5011-7965-5

North Carolina pastor and blogger Pavlovitz (A Bigger Table) utilizes the allegory of the superhero to call readers to action in response to the cultural climate.  He crafts a roadmap for activism beginning with identifying key traits, aka “ordinary superpowers” [xv], to cultivate for personal and spiritual growth.  These include compassion [pp. 57-70], sacrifice [pp. 71-82], courage [pp. 83-94], humor [pp. 95-106], humility [pp. 107-116], honesty [117-124], creativity [pp. 135-146], persistence [pp. 147-156], wonder [pp. 157-168], and gratitude [pp. 169-180].  Pavlovitz’s honest examination of his own shortcomings is refreshing and reassures readers that mistakes and vulnerabilities can be seen as places for inviting hope and positive transformation to take place [pp. 181-192].  He advises seeking out the company of like-minded people and being open to criticism and opposition in the pursuit of advocacy work [pp. 183-224].  Pavlovitz is openly critical of the current presidential administration and clear on his stance about several hot-button social issues. This is not a biblically-based work, and the author's political opinions and repetitive cursing will only further deepen the chasms of divisiveness and anger in today's cultural climate. 3 stars.