The question asked of Lewis was "Can't you lead a good life without believing in Christianity?" His reply was most excellent, and scathing. Lewis only answers the question indirectly, but instead states that the question itself is foolish.
The question asked of C.S. Lewis implies that whether you can live a better life or not with or without Christianity is an important issue, as if faith in Christ should be taken up if one could live a better life that way. C.S. Lewis correctly points out that Christianity must either be true, or it must be false. A dedicated person would choose Christianity or not choose it after contemplation of whether or not they believe it to be true, not whether Christianity can benefit them somehow. That is like choosing a denomination based on which one has the better sanctuary, when you should choose a denomination based on whether you believe their central teachings.
I think that this kind of thinking is very common in American society. People will join a church because they like it more than another one. People will choose a job because it gives them more money, not because they are better at it or enjoy it more. This kind of thinking has been around for a long time, making choices based on perceived gains instead of more important reasons. This ideas ties in very well with "The Inner Ring", which said that if you choose friendships or seek to enter a "ring" because of something you think you will gain you are ultimately a "scoundrel". It is not only the destination that matters, but also the journey. Intentions are important, and it pays to make decisions for the right reasons.
Back to the original question, Lewis states that certainly there have been people who are not Christians but have lived very well. His hope, as well as mine, is that those people who have lived well, doing good deeds, will be forgiven at the gates of heaven and allowed to be admitted. However, being good without at least attempting to think of why he should be good is a hollow thing. It is like sleeping when you are not tired, the sleep just won't be as good as when you've had a full day. Either Christianity is true, and it is the reason for doing good deeds, or it isn't.
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I like the example that you used when you mentioned people changing churches because of the sancuary. I have actually met people like that and I find it very surprising that people just look on the outside of a church like that and they don't look at the important beliefs of that church at all. I also liked how you were able to tie this into "The Inner Ring" and becoming a scoundrel. I agree that intentions are important and that the journey is, in fact, important as well.
ReplyDeleteDan, I often find myself reading and commenting on your blog because you always get yours done before me, and it is quite good. Also, thanks for pointing out the ties between this and the Inner Ring and the importance of our intentions.
ReplyDeleteI like how you use the example of choosing a denomination to explain your point about usefulness. One should not base one's decision based on if it's advantageous for one or not. One should decide based on truth. If not, then it just wouldn’t be genuine faith.
ReplyDeleteI also liked your example about switching churches just do to how the sanctuary looks. It should not matter at all how the sanctuary looks, to determine whether it is a good church or not. I know of several good cchurches that gather inside the gym of a school and they are no less of a church than the great cathedrals in France. God does not care where you praise him, but how you praise him.
ReplyDelete"It is not only the destination that matters, but the journey." so true daniel, so true. the journey is what people often look back on fondly, or with new found wisdom.
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