You Don't Know Jack
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I should read these books already.
"Good deeds are good deeds." has basically been my philosophy on how to live my life and what should happen with whatever sort of god/afterlife there is/isn't.
"Don't be a dick." is also part of it.
"Good deeds are good deeds." has basically been my philosophy on how to live my life and what should happen with whatever sort of god/afterlife there is/isn't.
"Don't be a dick." is also part of it.
Interesting post, Bob.
I think Lewis subscribed to the same interpretation of "No one comes to the Father except through me" as I do: Doing the right thing *is* putting faith in God even if we do not realize it.
I think Lewis subscribed to the same interpretation of "No one comes to the Father except through me" as I do: Doing the right thing *is* putting faith in God even if we do not realize it.
Speaking as a long time fan, yes, yes you should. Even ignoring all the theological parts (I completely missed them the first time through) it's great fantasy and a good read.Onyx Oblivion said:I should read these books already.
"Good deeds are good deeds." has basically been my philosophy on how to live my life and what should happen with whatever sort of god/afterlife there is/isn't.
"Don't be a dick." is also part of it.
Seconded. Thanks for the insight Bob.npath said:
Fascinating article Bob, perhaps Lewis' grab-bag approach not only applied to forging the mythic world of Narnia, but also bringing together the various religious sects
Fantastic writeup Bob. I see why my mother loves the Narnia books so much. She's also what would be called a "theistic evolutionist".
Onyx Oblivion said:"Good deeds are good deeds." has basically been my philosophy on how to live my life and what should happen with whatever sort of god/afterlife there is/isn't.
"Don't be a dick." is also part of it.
To the both of you -- what do you mean by "do good?" Can I still be doing good if I'm doing something contrary to the word of God? Or are you saying that if you follow the word of God, it's still good, even if you're not doing those things because it'd the word of God?sorenity34 said:
OT: When I opened this, I went "Oh Christ it's four pages," and I only read it because I'm cooking lunch and I don't have much else to do. But it turned out to be really interesting. I read The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe for English class in like 7th grade, and it really just didn't do it for me. In fact, fantasy books like Tolkien's and Lewis' never have. I hated The Hobbit. However, the story of Lewis' life and his struggles with faith and nostalgia is very meaningful to me. It makes me reflect on all the different ways and reasons a person can be a follower of Christ. It's not just one faith with one set of rules. Not everyone who believes it does so for the same reasons, and the reasons can be really out there themselves.
So yeah, the relationship to the fantasy world of Narnia didn't make this article for me, but the ruminations on the nature of faith really did. Damn good article Bob.
This is one of the best written and most thoughtful articles I've read on this site. Also very educational. Thank you, Bob.
My personal definition of "do good", is "try not to harm anyone".summerof2010 said:Onyx Oblivion said:"Good deeds are good deeds." has basically been my philosophy on how to live my life and what should happen with whatever sort of god/afterlife there is/isn't.
"Don't be a dick." is also part of it.
It's loose, but I haven't really encounter any terribly contrived situations in my life that have torn be apart yet.
Damn you Bob! I have just spent 15 minutes trying to find the nearest library so I can read the books again... I will have to find out if my parents still have them.MovieBob said:
Very insightful as always. Also, as always, sending me to discover or rediscover something!
A stellar piece on an incredibly interesting and influential man.
If you want to see a man's biggest struggles laid bare, read Lewis's "A Grief Observed," written after the death of his wife.
If you want to see a man's biggest struggles laid bare, read Lewis's "A Grief Observed," written after the death of his wife.
I didn't read much "children's" literature growing up. By the time I was reading fantasy I was into my teens and didn't look back. So since I didn't try reading the Narnia books until I was in my mid-20s, they didn't do much for me. Then again, other than The Hobbit, neither did Tolkien. But I greatly respect the role both played in laying the foundations of the genre, and the concept of world-building. Maybe they were too good at it, since it took half a century for the literary genre to really break away from their influence, while films and especially video games are still treading their same ground.
I'm not as impressed with Lewis as an apologist--I find it kind of surprising a folklorist, especially a smart guy like him, couldn't see the biggest weakness against his own Trilemma. And his so-called "atheist" period always sounded more like adolescent rebellion: is there any point in discussing someone's faith until after they've actually thought long and hard on it? But I respect his integrity, open-mindedness and intellectual honesty, and would rather debate the issue with someone like him than most of the ranting idiots you find--on either side.
I'm not as impressed with Lewis as an apologist--I find it kind of surprising a folklorist, especially a smart guy like him, couldn't see the biggest weakness against his own Trilemma. And his so-called "atheist" period always sounded more like adolescent rebellion: is there any point in discussing someone's faith until after they've actually thought long and hard on it? But I respect his integrity, open-mindedness and intellectual honesty, and would rather debate the issue with someone like him than most of the ranting idiots you find--on either side.
Damn, Bob. You put some work into this one. I also get the impression you're a pretty big Lewis fan (not many folks know the Space Trilogy, even though it's some of his best work). Thoroughly enjoyed the article, thank you very much.
@ Bob
I found it interesting that you labeled the Left Behind series as 'genre' fiction. Within the Christian community those books are largely regarded as 'speculative guesswork' i don't know anyone that would call them sci-fi, or fantasy, because of how closely the authors tried to stay to the events foretold (in very involved symbolism) in the book of Revelation.
There ARE actual others that delve into sci-fi and fantasy territory that also publish themselves as "Christian Authors." (I personally hate the term, as I hate "Christian Music" and Christian Films". These are people that are simply catering to a specific audience for backing, while turning their back to the people that, if we are to follow the Bible, need to hear the Christian message more.)
A couple of these authors that write fantasy and science fiction with Christian labeling are; Ted DekKer, author of the Colors trilogy (Black, Red, and White) and Three, (which was made into a half decent movie.) as well as waaay too many others. Another author worth mentioning is Robert Liparulo, author of a book called "Comes A Horseman" that delves into a character that believes he is the antichrist, and even gets to the point of infiltrating the Vatican, with a host of followers. A REALLY tough sell in the so called 'Christian' market.
"Comes a Horseman" is a really good read, and I highly recommend it. Ted DekKar's work though can be a bit preachy and heavy handed with it's allegory and is a perfect example of a lot of the problems of authors writing to a solely Christian audience.
As for your essay on C.S. Lewis, thank you, I haven't heard much about his upbringing and the psychological analysis is enlightening.
If you are interesting in understanding the 'logic' that Lewis saw from his collegues in Oxford, seriously check out an essay he did called "Mere Christianity". You've probably heard of it, but if you haven't read it, it's got some great stuff in there, especially the first couple chapters.
I found it interesting that you labeled the Left Behind series as 'genre' fiction. Within the Christian community those books are largely regarded as 'speculative guesswork' i don't know anyone that would call them sci-fi, or fantasy, because of how closely the authors tried to stay to the events foretold (in very involved symbolism) in the book of Revelation.
There ARE actual others that delve into sci-fi and fantasy territory that also publish themselves as "Christian Authors." (I personally hate the term, as I hate "Christian Music" and Christian Films". These are people that are simply catering to a specific audience for backing, while turning their back to the people that, if we are to follow the Bible, need to hear the Christian message more.)
A couple of these authors that write fantasy and science fiction with Christian labeling are; Ted DekKer, author of the Colors trilogy (Black, Red, and White) and Three, (which was made into a half decent movie.) as well as waaay too many others. Another author worth mentioning is Robert Liparulo, author of a book called "Comes A Horseman" that delves into a character that believes he is the antichrist, and even gets to the point of infiltrating the Vatican, with a host of followers. A REALLY tough sell in the so called 'Christian' market.
"Comes a Horseman" is a really good read, and I highly recommend it. Ted DekKar's work though can be a bit preachy and heavy handed with it's allegory and is a perfect example of a lot of the problems of authors writing to a solely Christian audience.
As for your essay on C.S. Lewis, thank you, I haven't heard much about his upbringing and the psychological analysis is enlightening.
If you are interesting in understanding the 'logic' that Lewis saw from his collegues in Oxford, seriously check out an essay he did called "Mere Christianity". You've probably heard of it, but if you haven't read it, it's got some great stuff in there, especially the first couple chapters.