C.S. Lewis is considered by many to be one of the most influential Christian authors of the 20th century. I myself am amazed at his gift with the pen--ranging from the polar opposites of philosophical/theological to the other end of the spectrum in the form of children's stories.
I have recently been re-reading through his 1940 work, The Problem of Pain. In it, Lewis puts for a good, and largely successful effort, to reconcile the age old paradox of a loving and omnipotent God with the existence of pain in our world. Yet it is some of Lewis' presuppositions that were the most surprising to me as I was thinking through Lewis' arguments.
Lewis seems to buy into a form of the Darwinian philosophy that mankind has evolved from lower forms of life. Although I have heard such accusations from other sources, it never ceases to surprise me, given the level of admiration I hold for a man that could effectively challenge the mainstream culture in such an honest manner.
But even now, I do not write these words for the purpose of "bashing" Mr. Lewis. While I believe his presuppositions concerning Darwinism (if he in fact did hold this view) are undoubtedly incorrect, it is his tendency or capability of incorrectness that should grab our attention.
As mentioned above, Lewis is celebrated for his intellectual abilities. Yet, he still managed to miss the mark in certain areas. Lewis himself would be the first person to admit to such faults, as is evident in the prefaces of many of his theological type works. If Lewis, then, as a man who is regarded as a giant of the 20th century can hold false assumptions and incorrect views, what then does this mean for the common man such as myself?
There are a couple of things that can be gleaned from Lewis' shortcomings. First, is humbleness. It is easier to be a play-by-play analyst than be the man in the arena. So, as a reader of his works, to suggest that I am incapable of such errors is pure folly. The humbleness, then, is achieved by recognizing that I am a man of lesser talents and abilities and, hence, I am more prone to such errors in my own presuppositions about the world.
Second, and equally important, is a desire to improve. Once we are willing to recognize that we do have shortcomings, false assumptions, and error in our judgments, we understand that we need help in order to alleviate and overcome such things. This, of course, is yet another reason to seek refuge in our Savior.
So, instead of burning Lewis at the stake, we should recognize him for what he was--a man. In so doing, we should be cognizant that we are but his fellow men and women, plagued with the same inadequacies of which only Christ can heal.
Soli Deo Gloria
I have recently been re-reading through his 1940 work, The Problem of Pain. In it, Lewis puts for a good, and largely successful effort, to reconcile the age old paradox of a loving and omnipotent God with the existence of pain in our world. Yet it is some of Lewis' presuppositions that were the most surprising to me as I was thinking through Lewis' arguments.
Lewis seems to buy into a form of the Darwinian philosophy that mankind has evolved from lower forms of life. Although I have heard such accusations from other sources, it never ceases to surprise me, given the level of admiration I hold for a man that could effectively challenge the mainstream culture in such an honest manner.
But even now, I do not write these words for the purpose of "bashing" Mr. Lewis. While I believe his presuppositions concerning Darwinism (if he in fact did hold this view) are undoubtedly incorrect, it is his tendency or capability of incorrectness that should grab our attention.
As mentioned above, Lewis is celebrated for his intellectual abilities. Yet, he still managed to miss the mark in certain areas. Lewis himself would be the first person to admit to such faults, as is evident in the prefaces of many of his theological type works. If Lewis, then, as a man who is regarded as a giant of the 20th century can hold false assumptions and incorrect views, what then does this mean for the common man such as myself?
There are a couple of things that can be gleaned from Lewis' shortcomings. First, is humbleness. It is easier to be a play-by-play analyst than be the man in the arena. So, as a reader of his works, to suggest that I am incapable of such errors is pure folly. The humbleness, then, is achieved by recognizing that I am a man of lesser talents and abilities and, hence, I am more prone to such errors in my own presuppositions about the world.
Second, and equally important, is a desire to improve. Once we are willing to recognize that we do have shortcomings, false assumptions, and error in our judgments, we understand that we need help in order to alleviate and overcome such things. This, of course, is yet another reason to seek refuge in our Savior.
So, instead of burning Lewis at the stake, we should recognize him for what he was--a man. In so doing, we should be cognizant that we are but his fellow men and women, plagued with the same inadequacies of which only Christ can heal.
Soli Deo Gloria
4 comments:
Thanks for this very thought provoking piece. "If he can err, so can I" leads me to the virtue of patience. Maybe this attitude can help people love each other and work with each other instead of debate and fight each other.
On Darwin -- I've started reading "Introduction to Christianity" written in 1968 by then-Joseph Ratzinger when he was a university professor of Theology. He marks Darwinism as a stage of degradation in Philosophy.
No longer was contemplation of being as a constant important. Everything was looked at as a process of becoming. "In the last analysis man was no longer in a position to look out at himself except on the level of the fact, where he had to recognize himself as the chance product of age-old developments." (p.34) Darwinian philosophy took from men the organized whole of creation and the glorious position of contemplating God and the world and relationship; in place of all this, it made man just a datum in the organic system of development.
It is interesting that Ratzinger equates Darwinism with degradation of philosophy. It makes sense, though.
The true worth/value of mankind is the image of God that has been placed in each of us by the Creator. Through Darwinism, this image is wiped away and what you are left with is a view of mankind as just another beast in the forest.
It is a troubling worldview on many levels.
Thanks for sharing Anthony!
I am now reading The Problem of Pain. I will be in a better position to comment when I finish reading it.
JC
We look forward to your insight JC!
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