In the excerpt from C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity, he discusses the nature of humanity. Lewis discusses that there are not good or bad impulses, but rather simply just impulses and it is how we decide to act that determines whether it is good or bad. Impulses and instincts are like keys on the piano, they sound marvelous when some are played together but when others are used together, it loses its splendor.
Another point that Lewis makes is that, as Christians, we should not promote separation of the church but concentrate on things common throughout the church. For as Jesus is one with God the Father, we too must be one with each other in community. We learn how to act and behave at a young age and we must raise the children and future of mankind based upon Christian virtues and morals.
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Dear Brandon,
ReplyDeleteI love your comments albeit a ‘tad’ brief.
You summarize very well the ‘impulses and instincts are like keys on the piano, they sound marvelous when some are played together but when others are used together, it loses its splendor’. Could we only imagine what the heavenly orchestration will be like!
Furthermore I agree that ‘we should not promote separation of the church but concentrate on things common throughout the church’. Although, unfortunately, most of the times that this is attempted the ‘lowest common denominator is found and all above that accepted as Christian, this has brought some terrible heresies into the church. I do believe it is best to live in you own ‘room’ as CS calls it and work with whomever God places right beside you. Not judging too heavily, never giving up the position of a ‘watchman’. Since, God assigns us to be our “brother’s keeper”! A “watchman” set up from the Lord to warn others (and ourselves) of danger; "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me” (Ezekiel 3:17). Sometimes the watchman will be wrong, but never superfluous… Nobody will blame a watchman for being who he/she is!
Finally, you are the only one that mentioned: “We learn how to act and behave at a young age and we must raise the children and future of mankind based upon Christian virtues and morals”. Yes, bringing up children for God’s kingdom, trained with the ‘stock reactions’ as Lewis calls them, is one of God’s orders toward us. Not only ‘material’ children (not all of us will become earthly parents) but heavenly disciples… We need to share God’s Word, Grace and love to all around us and teach them, and they will coach us!
God Bless,
Adriana & Paulo