You can get a large audience together for a strip-tease act — that is, to watch a girl undress on the stage. Now suppose you came to a country where you could fill a theatre by simply bringing a covered plate on to the stage and then slowly lifting the cover so as to let everyone see, just before the lights went out, that it contained a mutton chop or a bit of bacon, would you not think that in that country something had gone wrong with the appetite for food? And would not anyone who had grown up in a different world think there was something equally queer about the state of the sex instinct among us?-C.S. Lewis
Thoughts?
13 comments:
(drooling) "Baaaacconn...." (more drooling)
Doh!
I think that C.S. Lewis was brilliant and I could not agree more with his thoughts.
Although at this point in history I think the global community has caught up and are now as equally "queer about the state of the sex instinct".
Great book. ;-0
Actually, as vilified as he is in reformed circles, I would argue that Lewis has influenced me more than any other modern day author. When I was still questioning the validity of Christianity and the Christian idea of God, I came across Mere Christianity, and the rest, as they say, is history.
That whole chapter in the book is fantastic.
Wow! I haven't heard any "vilification" (is that a word?) in any of the reformed churches we've attended. I wonder if it's a Ref. Baptist v. Ref. Presbyterian thing? Or maybe I just haven't heard of a context for disagreement yet. Our last church actually has an adult Sunday School class on the writing of Lewis.
Well, here's a starting place. Maybe vilify is too strong.
http://www.svchapel.org/resources/articles/read_articles.asp?ID=127
Sigh. I thought the links weren't going through. On this little pop-up window, it looks like they were truncated. Sorry for the million posts. LOL.
I think it is more that Lewis was not reformed hence the concern on some of his ideas/beliefs. At least that is what I have seen in my online study of Lewis. I am OPC and there is not vilification of Lewis in what I have read from the OPC, but we also don't study from his books either. :+)
Personally I see that he had some errors, and even my 12yo dd (when she read Mere Christianity) could tell he did not believe in predestination or unconditional election. It made for great discussion.
I think he was a brilliant man who did not believe all that I do, but I still call him brother.
Warmly,
Kate
Oh, you mean he wasn't perfect! ;) (said in such a sarcastic tone that my ears are bleeding...LOL)
I quote Lewis as I quote U2, Gandhi, Ron Paul, Frodo... as an extra-biblical source.
Two things stood out to me from the article Heather referenced:
"Lewis’ insights into life are often astounding, yet the discerning Christian needs to be aware that Lewis is not the final word on faith and practice."
"Those who read [Lewis] must keep these things in mind, filter his teaching through the grid of Scripture and hold him to the same standards that we are to hold all others."
Yup, yup, yup. That is good advice when reading anything extra-biblical. (And that includes the study notes or section headings in your Bible.) So although I understand those of a more reformed bent offering up warnings when referencing any author other than God, we have to keep in mind that Scripture itself speaks of common grace (not by name but in idea in much the same way it speaks of the trinity). That is how I listen, read, quote, and link... assuming common grace. Trying to shine light on how a particular person, philosophy, art form, political ideology, etc reflects the image of God we all possess. Whether we are aware of or acknowledge it, or not.
(I know that Heather nor Kate was lambasting me for mentioning C.S. Lewis, I just thought the "discussion" had providentially prepped the ground for a mention of common grace.)
"Lewis’ insights into life are often astounding, yet the discerning Christian needs to be aware that Lewis is not the final word on faith and practice."
Oh, absolutely!
I love Lewis, believe that he was a Christian and also acknowledge that we have to be careful about what any writer, reformed or not, says. LOL!!!
Can I let you know how addicted I am to the Ron Paul Website? Did you see that they have real time counter counting online donations?
They will also be adding a special alerts page just for homeschoolers! Cool, huh? I'll post more about it when I know more.
Yes, I know what you mean. It is interesting when reading from even the best sources, the statements made that scripture contradicts. I am always careful - even (as you say) in the notes found in the Bible! Bias is among us, but I don't discount someone due to his possible foibles. :+)
Perhaps the caution comes because some folks focus on Lewis as a modern-day Paul? Hard to say why, but then it is hard to say why many people respond in a strong way to lots of things! :+) I do think that perhaps the "uber" reformed might contend with him because he was not reformed, period. I have met reformed folks who feel you cannot be saved unless you are. Lewis, ergo, is not saved--at least according to them. Since I don't qualify as part of the Trinity, I would not presume to make that statement!
So happy to have found your blog. I really enjoy reading it.
Warmly,
Kate
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