This chapter really focuses on the fall of man. For some reason it just seems that everything we talk about has to do with "The Fall". I am starting to find it kind of gloomy. One thing that I did like about these chapters and that we sometimes forget is that before the fall God created us in his Image and we showed his glory. After the fall though even though this world is tainted and not what God intended it to be, you can find his Glory in every part of the planet.
There was one thing in this chapter that really confused me though and that was the idea of common grace. I do not understand how it works. Is this grace just directed towards Christians or is it grace for the whole human race? The only common grace that I can think of is God sending his son, Jesus Christ to die for us. This was intended for everyone regardless if they were believers or not, but I don't think this is what they are referring to in this chapter. I do not see God giving any more grace then Jesus to people who chose to continue living with out him. Why would he give grace to someone who has no good in them, because of the fall. ever sense the fall everyman unless saved through Jesus Christ has no good and is condemned to hell. This is the only thing in this chapter that I found a little fuzzy and if anyone has any idea what it means please tell me!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Poison of Subjectivism
I had a really hard time reading this essay. It seemed there was so much more going on and I could only grasp just a little about it. What I did get from it though I think is the probably the main point Lewis is trying to get across in the essay. Which is "Subjectivism".
What I understand Subjectivism to be is when your emotions or feelings towards something make you justify it as right. Even if they have no proof what so ever. They will continue to believe what they believe to be true even if there is a logical point that proves it wrong. This essay really goes well with Chapter 3 of "Engaging God's World". Subjectivism is really just an outcome of pride. the person is to proud to admit that they are wrong, or obsessed with having to be right. The reason I think this goes well with Chapter 3 is because Chapter 3 deals with the fall of man. What caused man to fall was pride.
This essay also goes along with some of Lewis's previous ones like "Meditation In A Toolshed". Subjectivism can be dangerous, because it will cause you think that anyone with a different opinion or belief then you is wrong. Which Lewis showed in our first essay is that we need to learn to see things from a different perspective. I love how all of Lewis's reading compliment each other. He never faults away from what he really believes of contradict what he has written in previous essays
What I understand Subjectivism to be is when your emotions or feelings towards something make you justify it as right. Even if they have no proof what so ever. They will continue to believe what they believe to be true even if there is a logical point that proves it wrong. This essay really goes well with Chapter 3 of "Engaging God's World". Subjectivism is really just an outcome of pride. the person is to proud to admit that they are wrong, or obsessed with having to be right. The reason I think this goes well with Chapter 3 is because Chapter 3 deals with the fall of man. What caused man to fall was pride.
This essay also goes along with some of Lewis's previous ones like "Meditation In A Toolshed". Subjectivism can be dangerous, because it will cause you think that anyone with a different opinion or belief then you is wrong. Which Lewis showed in our first essay is that we need to learn to see things from a different perspective. I love how all of Lewis's reading compliment each other. He never faults away from what he really believes of contradict what he has written in previous essays
Engaging God's World: Ch. 5
This chapter was about God's kingdom and how we are embassadors to the world from His kingdom. I think that in a way Learning in War Time and this really correlate. We are here to represent the Lord and bring people to His kingdom. Sense we are doing this and our Christians ourselves we are part of great spiritual war. So sense we are trying to win people we need to be educated and have the ability to learn in bad times so that we may be fully equipped to stand up to anything that comes against us.
We also have to remember that no matter how bad things get we are here to serve God. There is always people out there they need to be saved, we can't go soft every time something goes wrong. I think this is really the main idea of the chapter and how I understood it was we are already apart of of a kingdom. Often times when we are in pain or suffering we pray and always ask God "for his kingdom to come" so that we will be saved from whatever it is that is hurting us. We sometimes forget that we are already in his kingdom. I personally think it is funny how when things earth are going so good we never ask God "for his kingdom to come". It is only when things are going bad. Once again I see a common truth in all of Lewis writings and that there is always a message of not growing content with where you are in this life. We have to continue striving to be better servants of the Lord.
We also have to remember that no matter how bad things get we are here to serve God. There is always people out there they need to be saved, we can't go soft every time something goes wrong. I think this is really the main idea of the chapter and how I understood it was we are already apart of of a kingdom. Often times when we are in pain or suffering we pray and always ask God "for his kingdom to come" so that we will be saved from whatever it is that is hurting us. We sometimes forget that we are already in his kingdom. I personally think it is funny how when things earth are going so good we never ask God "for his kingdom to come". It is only when things are going bad. Once again I see a common truth in all of Lewis writings and that there is always a message of not growing content with where you are in this life. We have to continue striving to be better servants of the Lord.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Learning In War-Time
Learning In War-Time really centers around the theme of doing everything with all of you might and will as if you were doing it for the Lord.As an example he uses Learning and peoples attitudes of learning during World War II. During this time he said that sense people were giving there all during the war. That if they were giving it there all so that someone could have to the chance to continue there education in the states. In return that person should give there all in pursuing there education.
Something that I have noticed through out all of Lewis's essays, from the Screwtape Letter, Weight of Glory, and Learning is War-Time is not growing content. I feel that he is really trying to stress to always push yourself to be a better Christian. You can't grow content with were you are at in your faith. I think that what you can learn from this essay is that by doing everything with all of your might and doing it for the Lord you will find yourself always moving forward in your faith.
Something that I have noticed through out all of Lewis's essays, from the Screwtape Letter, Weight of Glory, and Learning is War-Time is not growing content. I feel that he is really trying to stress to always push yourself to be a better Christian. You can't grow content with were you are at in your faith. I think that what you can learn from this essay is that by doing everything with all of your might and doing it for the Lord you will find yourself always moving forward in your faith.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Mere Christianity
I really liked this reading because it tries to define Christianity with out putting it into any denominations. the church today sometime seems to be so set on this denomination and that denomination that they forget what is at the heart of Christianity. Which is that Jesus gave his life for us, when we were the least deserving creatures on this planet. I was glad to see that Lewis was only giving people that, he wasn't trying to push them to one way of the church or the other.
"Mere Christianity" also talks about moral law. That everyone has a sense of right and wrong. In every culture there is moral law. Ever culture's moral law is pretty much the same with some little differences. It's just that most of the time people look at the differences and not how there practically the same. With everyone having moral law and it being the same it shows there is a higher moral law in which we all strive for. In a way it shows that there is a God.
"Mere Christianity" also talks about moral law. That everyone has a sense of right and wrong. In every culture there is moral law. Ever culture's moral law is pretty much the same with some little differences. It's just that most of the time people look at the differences and not how there practically the same. With everyone having moral law and it being the same it shows there is a higher moral law in which we all strive for. In a way it shows that there is a God.
Screwtape Letter
I really like how Lewis put us in the devil's perspective. Lewis tries to show us how the devil attempts to slowly wedge us away from God. "Murder is no better then cards, if cards can do the trick. Indeed the safest way to hell is the gradual one--the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turning, without milestones, and without signpost."
What Lewis is really trying to show us is how Satan works. The bible says that there is no sin greater then another. in God's eyes there is no difference between the sin of murder or disobeying your parents. We tend to think that as long as we are not committing huge sins, and just going about our lives committing smalls ones that we will be alright.
In the Screwtape Letters its about a two demons who are trying to drive a new Christian away from God. They doin this by trying to get him to be comfortable with where he is in his life and his faith. They don't try completely and suddenly turn him to wickedness right away. they try to get him learn small bad habits and slowly build from there without noticing.
What i took from this is that we cant grow content in our faith. we constantly have to grow in our faith. By constantly striving to be better it will keep us from growing content and and falling away from God.
What Lewis is really trying to show us is how Satan works. The bible says that there is no sin greater then another. in God's eyes there is no difference between the sin of murder or disobeying your parents. We tend to think that as long as we are not committing huge sins, and just going about our lives committing smalls ones that we will be alright.
In the Screwtape Letters its about a two demons who are trying to drive a new Christian away from God. They doin this by trying to get him to be comfortable with where he is in his life and his faith. They don't try completely and suddenly turn him to wickedness right away. they try to get him learn small bad habits and slowly build from there without noticing.
What i took from this is that we cant grow content in our faith. we constantly have to grow in our faith. By constantly striving to be better it will keep us from growing content and and falling away from God.
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