"If there is 'Something Behind', then either it will have to remain altogether unknown to men or else make itself known in some different way." The origins of the Earth, Life, and our existence is something that we can hypothesize about but can never prove through science. We rock back and forth and some of us take up a creationist argument and others take up an evolutionary standpoint and yet few us look to within for answers. The one thing that we know more about than anything else is Man.
We realize that there is a moral law which stands above us and entreats us to follow it but also gives us a choice. This chapter focuses on that entity that gives us the law. Since we are just a small piece of this large puzzle and because the moral law cannot be explained by math and science we are forced to luck inward into ourselves for answers. Lewis punches holes in many of the what some self proposed "Enlightened" people have come to adopt as Creative Evolution. This view says that a creator Created and then took his hand off and life evolved. If they say that this creator consisted of a mind then they are back to the creationist standpoint, and if they say that there is no mind, then it is impossible to explain this feeling of what we "Ought" to do.
The fact remains that each of us have been given the gift by a creator. A living instruction manual for what he wishes for us. All have fallen short of this, but what a feeling to know that He hasn't abandoned us. He is WITH us. Now. Right Now. As you read this blog, He is with you. He loves you so much that he is there for you, showing you how to live so that he might prosper you and use you to reach others.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
The Reality of the Law
This is a short chapter in which Lewis broadens this idea of the moral law. The distinction between the moral law and that of laws of science and mathematics is a vast one. The laws of science tell us of what things do under set conditions. The Moral Law tells us that which we "Ought" to do. Let us not jump past this, because this is what made the fall of man possible. We have in us both believers and nonbelievers an inner voice that tells us what we should do. Sometimes we listen and other times we feel that it is not in our best interest so we tune it out or we say that we do not because it is telling us what we do not wish to hear. Only with free will, can love be possible. Of course this also enables us to cause great pain as well.
Many people will write off this inner voice or moral law as instinct. Some will say that we feel we "Ought" to behave decently because it is best for society, but this argument falls short. Often the things that we would judge bad are not inconenient for us at all. If someone were to sell out his own countrymen to you and this helped you win the war, it would be extremely convenient for you and yet you would regard this man as untrustworthy and shady. This law is rigid and unbending and is there.
Many people will write off this inner voice or moral law as instinct. Some will say that we feel we "Ought" to behave decently because it is best for society, but this argument falls short. Often the things that we would judge bad are not inconenient for us at all. If someone were to sell out his own countrymen to you and this helped you win the war, it would be extremely convenient for you and yet you would regard this man as untrustworthy and shady. This law is rigid and unbending and is there.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Some Objections
In this chapter, Lewis backs up his belief on the existence of the moral law. The existence of the moral law cannot be rationalized as a herd instinct or any other instinct for that matter. No one is saying that the herd instinct which would be an instinct to protect all of one's family or species exists. No one is saying that there is not a self-preservation instinct. If there is ever a scenario in which both are being expressed there is a third something that helps to tell us what we ought to do or which one should carry more weight. Lewis also states that it is this moral law that can cause us to side with the weaker of the two instincts.
If we see someone drowning we have both the herd instinct and the self-preservation instinct that are being expressed. The herd instinct is the lesser of the two but for some reason the moral law kicks in and people risk their very life to save that of another stranger. If the moral law was but an instinct then we should be able to point to an instinct and call it good. The reality is that there are no good or bad instincts. For example you would not encourage the fighting instinct in a classroom, but it would definitely be well suited for a soldier in combat. The moral law helps tell us when to enact an instinct.
I find this chapter to be full of things that at first were hard to comprehend. The second time I read through I could not find any hard topics or obvious contradictions. It seems that all of the thinking is sound. Once my mind was able to wrap around this chapter, I find that I am comforted. God surrounds us. How many times have complained that God never speaks to you? How many times have you expressed frustrations because there haven't been any "Burning Bushes" in your life? Now read through this chapter again and fully grasp the reality of the presence of a moral law that IS very REAL. Can you state in all honesty that you have never heard from God, or have you not set down to listen? Maybe we haven't wanted to listen because we are scared of what we might hear. It is time we made a choice. In or Out? I'm in.
The next chapter we will be going through is "The Reality of the Law." Good reading and become a follower of the blog so you get updates. Walk On.
-Mark
If we see someone drowning we have both the herd instinct and the self-preservation instinct that are being expressed. The herd instinct is the lesser of the two but for some reason the moral law kicks in and people risk their very life to save that of another stranger. If the moral law was but an instinct then we should be able to point to an instinct and call it good. The reality is that there are no good or bad instincts. For example you would not encourage the fighting instinct in a classroom, but it would definitely be well suited for a soldier in combat. The moral law helps tell us when to enact an instinct.
I find this chapter to be full of things that at first were hard to comprehend. The second time I read through I could not find any hard topics or obvious contradictions. It seems that all of the thinking is sound. Once my mind was able to wrap around this chapter, I find that I am comforted. God surrounds us. How many times have complained that God never speaks to you? How many times have you expressed frustrations because there haven't been any "Burning Bushes" in your life? Now read through this chapter again and fully grasp the reality of the presence of a moral law that IS very REAL. Can you state in all honesty that you have never heard from God, or have you not set down to listen? Maybe we haven't wanted to listen because we are scared of what we might hear. It is time we made a choice. In or Out? I'm in.
The next chapter we will be going through is "The Reality of the Law." Good reading and become a follower of the blog so you get updates. Walk On.
-Mark
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Law of Human Nature
"These, then, are the two points I wanted to make. First, that human beings, all over the Earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and cannot really get rid of it. Secondly, that they do not in fact behave in that way."
- C.S. Lewis
The book brings out through basic observations that societies have all regardless of religious background, recognized a basic rule of behavior that only humans seem to be aware of. It is a rule that governs how we are to behave in exactly the same way that the rule of gravity affects an object that is hurled into the air. What makes this rule unlike any other, however, is that we have a choice to break it and do so quite often.
We are aware of a basic rule of conduct, the golden rule if you will. What is facinating is that many have assigned this as a none issue, something that just came about from our religion or from some sort of evolutionary development that has remained ingrained within us from some previous time. What one finds when you compare cultures throughout time, however, is that we are strikingly similar when it comes to this rule of nature. Mr. Lewis points out that one culture may deem it proper to have but one wife where another may believe in multiple wives. Although there is a slight difference between the two, both would agree that it is not right to have all the women you want.
The word "Right" leaps off the page. If there is a "Right" then there is most certainly is a "Wrong." Notice the implication. Thoughts, actions, feelings, etc. all have a side. There is no grey area in which we can hide. True we may go through life before we are convicted or that we see that we have behaved wrongly, but the fact remains that we live in a world of absolutes. Before we can delve into Christianity and recieve the gift of Christ, we must face this. There are no excuses. There is a natural law in which we deep down know the difference between right and wrong (If we take the time and think it through). The fact of the matter is that we choose ourselves time and again.
Tomorrow read through the "Some Objections" Chapter and check back in for the blog. Please comment, question, or just say hey and let me know that your with me. Until tomorrow night, sleep well and walk on.
- Mark
- C.S. Lewis
The book brings out through basic observations that societies have all regardless of religious background, recognized a basic rule of behavior that only humans seem to be aware of. It is a rule that governs how we are to behave in exactly the same way that the rule of gravity affects an object that is hurled into the air. What makes this rule unlike any other, however, is that we have a choice to break it and do so quite often.
We are aware of a basic rule of conduct, the golden rule if you will. What is facinating is that many have assigned this as a none issue, something that just came about from our religion or from some sort of evolutionary development that has remained ingrained within us from some previous time. What one finds when you compare cultures throughout time, however, is that we are strikingly similar when it comes to this rule of nature. Mr. Lewis points out that one culture may deem it proper to have but one wife where another may believe in multiple wives. Although there is a slight difference between the two, both would agree that it is not right to have all the women you want.
The word "Right" leaps off the page. If there is a "Right" then there is most certainly is a "Wrong." Notice the implication. Thoughts, actions, feelings, etc. all have a side. There is no grey area in which we can hide. True we may go through life before we are convicted or that we see that we have behaved wrongly, but the fact remains that we live in a world of absolutes. Before we can delve into Christianity and recieve the gift of Christ, we must face this. There are no excuses. There is a natural law in which we deep down know the difference between right and wrong (If we take the time and think it through). The fact of the matter is that we choose ourselves time and again.
Tomorrow read through the "Some Objections" Chapter and check back in for the blog. Please comment, question, or just say hey and let me know that your with me. Until tomorrow night, sleep well and walk on.
- Mark
Mere Christianity Kick Off!
Greetings all! Because most of my week days consist of teaching and most of my nights consist of chasing around my little girl, I will be doing most of my blogging about this book around 8:00 at night. This is an introductory post just to let you know that the first book post will be later on tonight. I would like to challenge each of you to read through the first 5 pages or so. This is one of those books that will challenge us at every turn but the return you will recieve from it is amazing. This book will make your walk stronger. I encourage all of you to post and become a part of this blog so that we can walk through this together. See you all tonight!
Walk On
-Mark
Walk On
-Mark
Friday, January 29, 2010
Welcome!
This is the C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity Book Blog, a part of Crosspointe Community Church's vision 2010. This is in no means an easy page turner of a book in the sense that you will often read a few pages and find that Lewis has logically taken you somewhere and you can't remember how you got there. :)
I find that other than the Bible, this is one of the books that has had the greatest impacts on my life. All of the things that seperate the denominations fall away as Lewis cuts to the heart of what Christianity truly is... JESUS. Many of the questions that we have had since we were children, are addressed in this work. Questions from: How can we know that there is a God? What makes Christianity the only way? What exactly do Christians believe? Why are there so many denominations if there is but one God?
Beginning April 1st we will begin reading through this work. Please be patient with the reading and when it become really difficult stay with us as we talk it through. These will be some of the most important discussions we can have as Christians. Log on and Post, and let me know that you are following the blog! Let's dive into this together.
I find that other than the Bible, this is one of the books that has had the greatest impacts on my life. All of the things that seperate the denominations fall away as Lewis cuts to the heart of what Christianity truly is... JESUS. Many of the questions that we have had since we were children, are addressed in this work. Questions from: How can we know that there is a God? What makes Christianity the only way? What exactly do Christians believe? Why are there so many denominations if there is but one God?
Beginning April 1st we will begin reading through this work. Please be patient with the reading and when it become really difficult stay with us as we talk it through. These will be some of the most important discussions we can have as Christians. Log on and Post, and let me know that you are following the blog! Let's dive into this together.
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