"The idea of reaching 'a good life' without Christ is based on a double error. Firstly, we cannot do it; and secondly, in setting up 'a good life' as our final goal, we have missed the very point of our existence." -C.S. Lewis
This quote seemed to me to be the bottom line of Lewis’ essay. It addresses a lie that so many people believe, Christians and non-Christians alike. Because God has written the moral law in the depths of our hearts, we know that there is such a thing as good and many will reach the conclusion that our life purpose must somehow be connected with goodness. This is true. The essence of God is goodness and love; God is goodness. He designed us to be united with Him, and thus be united with goodness. However the object of our pursuit and affection is not goodness in itself, but God Himself.
This lie that the end goal of our life is goodness is closely connected to the truth that our end goal is the good God. However this lie may be one of Satan’s most effective tools to distract us from God. I see several dangers of living a life for the pursuit of goodness. We can do nothing good apart from Christ (although I believe Christ can still use those who don’t know Him to do good). When the objective of my life is for me to do good, there is one major problem: my and me. I am the source of the good action. The focus is for me to accomplish the greatest degree of good actions I can accomplish. At the end of the day if I have done something good, I deserve the glory. When I do all these good actions to “be the best person I can be” and perfect myself, I am totally missing the point. I cannot be the best person I can be without Christ - and this is not even the point when I do know Christ. The focus on how good I am or how I need to be better, instead of living out the reality that no matter how good I am I still fall short of God’s glorious standard and I need his grace every minute of my life. When I live by Christ’s grace every day, the goal of life is not to be “a good person” – this is a selfish goal – but to humbly be near to the Lord and let him, in my utter brokenness and failure, use my weaknesses (and strengths) to reveal how great He is in my weakness.
Once we grasp this reality, it is liberating. In the Old Testament we were under the law. When Christ came he freed us from the law, that we may live to know him and not live to meet the requirements of the law. But when we live to be “good people” we put ourselves under the law again – and we can never be justified. When we accept God’s grace, we no longer need to live to do the best we can do. We live to be near to God and live by his redeeming grace in all that we do. When we choose to live in God’s grace and love, and not by our own means, we experience great freedom that can never be found outside of his grace.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Plantinga - Chapter 5
Plantinga’s discussion of college reminded me very much of C.S. Lewis’ “English Syllabus.” Lewis urged us to pursue education not for the sake of acquiring education, but for the sake of knowledge itself. In Chapter 5, Plantinga takes a similar stand. He urges us to not see our education only as a degree that will make us more employable, but to see our education as the opportunity to prepare for our vocation. “The full value of your education is that it will help you find and prepare your vocation.” Our attitude towards our education should glorify God. We are called to apply ourselves in college because our focus is on the Kingdom of God. Because we desire the Kingdom of God to come, we prepare for prime citizenship through our education.
I think Lewis and Plantinga both address students’ view of their education because they see the easy trap students fall into. Today a much higher percentage of students attend college than 100 years ago. Students may begin to view college as “the normal” course of things and the mandatory next step in their education. We may begin to value education for what it will procure us: a degree and employment. But both of these things are so temporary. As humans, we once again fall into the trap of keeping our focus on things that are temporary. Yet Lewis and Plantinga understand that our education has a far more significant and eternal dimension. Through our education we grow as individuals. We are challenged, pushed, criticized, and praised. We learn how to think, not just what to think (in fact what we think will likely change over time). We learn how to engage in God’s world and what our place is as humans in God’s world.
A “good citizen” will appreciate his education, but fail to truly view it in the eternal perspective and in light of God’s Kingdom. A “prime citizen” engages in his education and sees its value in light of eternity. Ultimately, we must be cautious to not fall into apathy and be careful not to become jaded, both in our education and in our role as citizens of heaven.
I think Lewis and Plantinga both address students’ view of their education because they see the easy trap students fall into. Today a much higher percentage of students attend college than 100 years ago. Students may begin to view college as “the normal” course of things and the mandatory next step in their education. We may begin to value education for what it will procure us: a degree and employment. But both of these things are so temporary. As humans, we once again fall into the trap of keeping our focus on things that are temporary. Yet Lewis and Plantinga understand that our education has a far more significant and eternal dimension. Through our education we grow as individuals. We are challenged, pushed, criticized, and praised. We learn how to think, not just what to think (in fact what we think will likely change over time). We learn how to engage in God’s world and what our place is as humans in God’s world.
A “good citizen” will appreciate his education, but fail to truly view it in the eternal perspective and in light of God’s Kingdom. A “prime citizen” engages in his education and sees its value in light of eternity. Ultimately, we must be cautious to not fall into apathy and be careful not to become jaded, both in our education and in our role as citizens of heaven.
The Inner Ring
“The quest of the Inner Ring will break your hearts unless you break it.” Lewis’ statement is true, not only for the inner ring, but for anything we pursue more than God. As we said in class inner rings in and of themselves may be good. However it is our motives and our hearts that make it a sinful quest. Once our pursuit of something pushes us to live for it, once it affects our decisions and judgment, it is in danger of becoming an idol (or may already be on idol). Inner rings may serve their purposes, but when our goal becomes to be inside the inner ring so that we may find our value in belonging there, the inner ring will in fact “break your heart.”
1 John 5:21 urges us to be wary of anything that takes this kind of place in our lives. “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” The interesting thing about many idols in our lives is that these things we pursue more than God may not be evil in themselves. But once again, it is the place we give them in our lives that turns it into idolatry. The advice in 1 John is not only to keep these things from becoming idols, but to keep away from these things altogether. If in our life constantly taunts and tempts us to put it before God, we should distance ourselves from it altogether. Lewis provides this suggestion for inner rings. He tells us to break free from our desire to be in the inner ring. Since it is a desire, and not something that can be so clearly removed as some other idols, we must discipline our minds. We must constantly “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). Above all our thoughts, our desires, and our actions should be a slave to Christ.
1 John 5:21 urges us to be wary of anything that takes this kind of place in our lives. “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” The interesting thing about many idols in our lives is that these things we pursue more than God may not be evil in themselves. But once again, it is the place we give them in our lives that turns it into idolatry. The advice in 1 John is not only to keep these things from becoming idols, but to keep away from these things altogether. If in our life constantly taunts and tempts us to put it before God, we should distance ourselves from it altogether. Lewis provides this suggestion for inner rings. He tells us to break free from our desire to be in the inner ring. Since it is a desire, and not something that can be so clearly removed as some other idols, we must discipline our minds. We must constantly “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). Above all our thoughts, our desires, and our actions should be a slave to Christ.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The Four Loves
Lewis distinguishes four types of love. Storge love is affectionate love; philia is love in friendship; agape is God’s love; eros is love between the sexes. While Lewis refers to agape as “God’s love,” I think we see different aspects of God’s love when each of these loves is expressed. There is something beautiful and unique about each of the three other types of love. Each reflects an aspect of God’s love for us. In class we focused on eros, the last type of love. Eros is the love between two individuals who are in love.
As Lewis put it, “eros does not aim at pleasure or happiness,” as we may first expect. In class we discussed that while men may fall in love, it is an altogether different thing to be in love. I would argue that falling in love may be said to be somewhat “natural.” Anyone can fall in love. Yet being in love is a choice. Falling in love may be relatively “easy;” as we said in class it just “happens.” On the other hand staying in love requires strength of character and a daily commitment to selflessly love another. I thought Lewis’ analogy of a garden was perfect that describe the eros love that occurs when people choose to be in love. A garden will naturally grow, but the gardener must get rid of weeds that threaten the beautiful plants and he must prune those plants that are continually growing so that they may grow more.
One of Lewis’ quotes struck me the most out of all he said. “Love ceases to be a demon only when he ceases to be a God.” In one of the chapters of our readings, Lewis offers a point that helps us understand this: God is love, but love is not God. This is an interesting idea, which I believe is true, but is something I had never thought through before. We must worship God, knowing that the essence of Him is love. But we must not worship love, because love itself is not the god. Especially in relationships with high emotional ties, I think it is important for us to have discernment. Are we worshiping love in and of itself? Or are we worshiping God first and foremost through our relationship? Love itself can be in danger of becoming an idol. We may become slaves to this love, yet not slaves to Christ. We are called to devote ourselves to Christ in all that we do; to be slaves of Christ.
As Lewis put it, “eros does not aim at pleasure or happiness,” as we may first expect. In class we discussed that while men may fall in love, it is an altogether different thing to be in love. I would argue that falling in love may be said to be somewhat “natural.” Anyone can fall in love. Yet being in love is a choice. Falling in love may be relatively “easy;” as we said in class it just “happens.” On the other hand staying in love requires strength of character and a daily commitment to selflessly love another. I thought Lewis’ analogy of a garden was perfect that describe the eros love that occurs when people choose to be in love. A garden will naturally grow, but the gardener must get rid of weeds that threaten the beautiful plants and he must prune those plants that are continually growing so that they may grow more.
One of Lewis’ quotes struck me the most out of all he said. “Love ceases to be a demon only when he ceases to be a God.” In one of the chapters of our readings, Lewis offers a point that helps us understand this: God is love, but love is not God. This is an interesting idea, which I believe is true, but is something I had never thought through before. We must worship God, knowing that the essence of Him is love. But we must not worship love, because love itself is not the god. Especially in relationships with high emotional ties, I think it is important for us to have discernment. Are we worshiping love in and of itself? Or are we worshiping God first and foremost through our relationship? Love itself can be in danger of becoming an idol. We may become slaves to this love, yet not slaves to Christ. We are called to devote ourselves to Christ in all that we do; to be slaves of Christ.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Learning in Wartime
I was intrigued as to what C.S. Lewis would have to say about learning in times of war; I did not expect this essay to be a reminder of any practical truth. Yet once again, Lewis points us back to God, as he does in all of his writings. This quote that struck me the most in his essay:
“‘Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.’ All our merely natural activities will be accepted, if they are offered to God, even the humblest: and all of them, even the noblest, will be sinful if they are not.”
Lewis has such a powerful way of reminding us that no matter what we do, in every action, in every breath, in every thought, we are directing ourselves towards heaven or hell; we are living for Christ, or we are not. If we think of life in these terms, our lives and small decisions have such great significance. How can God make such a small action of mine something glorious for His Kingdom? How can such a “small sin” be such a stumbling block and opportunity for Satan? And yet, it is so. Lewis' quote served as a great reminder that I am writing a song with my life story. Every decision is like a note in a song; every note is so discrete, yet every note can be heard; multiple notes gone wrong will ruin entire parts of a song. Yet every well placed note will combine with others to create a beautiful melody of praise to God.
I found that Lewis’ concluding paragraph brought up an important point that relates to our previous class discussions about happiness.
“All the animal life in us, all schemes of happiness that centered in this world, were always doomed to a final frustration.”
We were never destined to find our satisfaction in pleasures of this earth. These things are all temporary and, as Lewis wrote, “doomed to final frustration.” God has designed us to find our joy and satisfaction in Him. The things of this earth are fleeting; when we turn to them for satisfaction that we can only find in God, we are left distraught and empty because these things will always let us down when they come to an end.
Our lives will sing a song of praise to something, be that God, be that the hopeless search for happiness, or be that some other idol. Ultimately we find our satisfaction in living our lives for God and committing every day to Him and his purposes.
“‘Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.’ All our merely natural activities will be accepted, if they are offered to God, even the humblest: and all of them, even the noblest, will be sinful if they are not.”
Lewis has such a powerful way of reminding us that no matter what we do, in every action, in every breath, in every thought, we are directing ourselves towards heaven or hell; we are living for Christ, or we are not. If we think of life in these terms, our lives and small decisions have such great significance. How can God make such a small action of mine something glorious for His Kingdom? How can such a “small sin” be such a stumbling block and opportunity for Satan? And yet, it is so. Lewis' quote served as a great reminder that I am writing a song with my life story. Every decision is like a note in a song; every note is so discrete, yet every note can be heard; multiple notes gone wrong will ruin entire parts of a song. Yet every well placed note will combine with others to create a beautiful melody of praise to God.
I found that Lewis’ concluding paragraph brought up an important point that relates to our previous class discussions about happiness.
“All the animal life in us, all schemes of happiness that centered in this world, were always doomed to a final frustration.”
We were never destined to find our satisfaction in pleasures of this earth. These things are all temporary and, as Lewis wrote, “doomed to final frustration.” God has designed us to find our joy and satisfaction in Him. The things of this earth are fleeting; when we turn to them for satisfaction that we can only find in God, we are left distraught and empty because these things will always let us down when they come to an end.
Our lives will sing a song of praise to something, be that God, be that the hopeless search for happiness, or be that some other idol. Ultimately we find our satisfaction in living our lives for God and committing every day to Him and his purposes.
Plantinga - Chapter 4
As we discussed the purpose of the 10 commandments today in class, a Psalm that I recently read came to mind. Psalm 19 speaks of the beauty of the law; it reminds us that the law is beautiful because of its purpose and what it does for us. Rather than thinking of the law as something that binds us and restricts us, we think of it as something beautiful, reflecting something so much deeper in our hearts.
Psalm 19:7-11
7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
On a different note, during our discussion of Plantinga, chapter 4, we began discussing the impact of receiving a Christian education on our faith. I think this is a topic we must truly be aware of as we are constantly surrounded by a Christian environment. On one hand, I think receiving a Christian education can be a great opportunity. In a secular school, professors are thinking “along” the Christian faith we are “looking at.” They may challenge us intellectually in certain areas; yet at the same time there is something more challenging and engaging to be challenged by professors who “look along” the same faith and challenge their students within that. I think we can be challenged to seek God and learn more about Him and the world he has created in a Christian school.
Yet at the same time there is such danger living in this environment. Just as the Screwtape letters mentioned, Satan is so eager to make us believe that we are following God by convincing us, through outward things (habits or knowledge), that we are near to God. All the while he tries to harden our hearts to God, cutting off our communication with the Lord. He attempts to wean us from a personal relationship with God to bring us to a point where we are only approaching God in the context of classes or in a group context. From there he may attempt to make our “interactions with God” merely empty and meaningless habits. The most dangerous place is when he is successful at cutting off our communication with God; with time, with long lived lies, he may be able to convince us of almost anything. Since we are not forced to swim against the current of the world (as we would in a state school), we may easily begin to stop swimming so hard and be carried with the current.
What are we going to do with our Christian education? Will we be spoon-fed like a child and slowly become apathetic? Or will stand firm in the hope of our salvation and fall more in love with our Savior every day?
Psalm 19:7-11
7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
On a different note, during our discussion of Plantinga, chapter 4, we began discussing the impact of receiving a Christian education on our faith. I think this is a topic we must truly be aware of as we are constantly surrounded by a Christian environment. On one hand, I think receiving a Christian education can be a great opportunity. In a secular school, professors are thinking “along” the Christian faith we are “looking at.” They may challenge us intellectually in certain areas; yet at the same time there is something more challenging and engaging to be challenged by professors who “look along” the same faith and challenge their students within that. I think we can be challenged to seek God and learn more about Him and the world he has created in a Christian school.
Yet at the same time there is such danger living in this environment. Just as the Screwtape letters mentioned, Satan is so eager to make us believe that we are following God by convincing us, through outward things (habits or knowledge), that we are near to God. All the while he tries to harden our hearts to God, cutting off our communication with the Lord. He attempts to wean us from a personal relationship with God to bring us to a point where we are only approaching God in the context of classes or in a group context. From there he may attempt to make our “interactions with God” merely empty and meaningless habits. The most dangerous place is when he is successful at cutting off our communication with God; with time, with long lived lies, he may be able to convince us of almost anything. Since we are not forced to swim against the current of the world (as we would in a state school), we may easily begin to stop swimming so hard and be carried with the current.
What are we going to do with our Christian education? Will we be spoon-fed like a child and slowly become apathetic? Or will stand firm in the hope of our salvation and fall more in love with our Savior every day?
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