When I read the first sentence in Andrew Wilson’s book, Happiness, I had a feeling it would become one of the best books of 2026:
God wants you to be happy.
Wilson’s thesis is bold and unencumbered: “The God who created the world wants you to experience deep, uninhibited, raucous, and eternal joy—and if you want that too, then ultimately you will.”
Tragically, the church is filled with people who not only disagree with the idea of God-ordained happiness; they maintain this notion is rank heresy. Wilson sets out to prove them wrong, and he does it with biblical muscle and a smile on his face!
The author builds his case for happiness by appealing to the happiest being in the cosmos. “God is the happiest being in existence,” writes Wilson. He appeals to numerous biblical texts that point to God who rejoices over his people (Isa. 62:5; Zeph. 3:17). He argues with Jonathan Edwards that God is happy in the perfect fellowship of the Trinity. Indeed, “God delights in absolutely everything he does … He is happy in himself, in his people, and in everything he does” (Ps. 115:3).
Happiness is possible for us, then, because God is happy. In fact, “Sin results from not seeking your pleasure enough rather than seeking it too much.” Some readers will detect the influence of John Piper’s Christian hedonism in Wilson’s framework. “God is happy,” writes Wilson, “and it turns out that becoming like him, glorifying him, entering his kingdom, overcoming sin, and imitating Jesus all involve us being happy as well. For the fruit of the Spirit is joy.”
The remainder of Happiness is a theological tour de force that gradually builds upon Wilson’s argument, which should satisfy skeptics and dour Christians. He explains the contours of happiness, responds to caricatures of happiness, and interacts with popular notions of happiness that have emerged in popular psychology.
The concluding chapter is worth the price of the book, as the prescription for happiness is offered. Readers are challenged to delight in God, rejoice in God, and pay honor to the happiest Being in the cosmos. Wise pastoral counsel is offered to anyone ready and willing to pursue a life of happiness.
I urge motivated readers to take a deep dive into this little book with a highlighter and an open Bible. Happiness by Andrew Wilson will encourage you and challenge assumptions, leaving you encouraged and equipped to live the Christian life with bold resolve. You’ll be happy you read it!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.