Christianity a Resurgence of Interest

¶ … Christianity

A resurgence of interest in the C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia series has led to several new movies, TV specials and reprinting of the authors' works. Enjoyed by all ages, most do not delve deeply enough into the symbolism for the religious undertones. Also, most of these Chronicle admirers have not read Lewis' Mere Christianity. Lewis first wrote this piece as a BBC radio series after the violence and depravity of World War II made people question their religious faith. He purposely made it as close as a "talk" as possible, so that it would of interest and import to anyone reading. He succeeded in writing a literary piece that makes a very difficult topic -- and one that religious scholars often ruin with jargon and tedious detail -- not only being easy to swallow but also offering a wonderfully sweet aftertaste about the belief in God and Christianity.

The first book of Mere Christianity demonstrates the need for salvation, the second explains the method of salvation, the third reviews morality and how Christians need to live both as individuals and united as a church of faithful; and the fourth book resolves theological concerns troubling for Christians. Lewis purposely wrote his talks in this order for the greatest impact: "It is after you have realized that there is a real Moral Law, and a Power behind the law, and that you have broken that law and put yourself wrong with that Power -- it is after all this, and not a moment sooner, that Christianity begins to talk"

As a storyteller is apt to do, Lewis presents the listeners/readers with a metaphorical dilemma: If a person is walking along a river and hears someone crying for help, the question is not "what would you do?" But "which choice would you approve of most?" Would it be saving the man, or saving oneself? Although most people realize that they are selfish, there is part of them that hopes they would take the opposite approach. They see this as the most moral way to proceed. This is what Lewis calls the moral reason for believing in God. Humans have a moral drive within them that attests to the existence of right and wrong. This innate standard was not "man-made," but evolved along with human society. It must come from an external superior force, or God. Yet, humans do fail and cannot always live up to such high standards. God therefore sent someone as a savior to make humans right. Christ forgave sins, "This makes sense only if He really was the God whose laws are broken and whose love is wounded in every sin."

Lewis then faces the readers with different moral issues, including sexual morality, forgiveness, and pride. Finally, he presents his case for Christ and the need everyone has of deciding whether or not to put one's faith in Him. In some respects Lewis' approach is like a modern-day Socrates dilemmas, where common sense and logic can only make one decision best. How can there be any better way than following Jesus?

However, that places responsibility on a person. Nothing in life should come easily, especially if it has great meaning. "But there must be a real giving up of the self. You must throw it away 'blindly' so to speak. Christ will indeed give you a real personality: but you must not go to Him for the sake of that. As long as your own personality is what you are bothering about you are not going to Him at all." Instead, by giving up oneself, a person will find him/herself. Lose one's life, and will save it.