Re: [asa] CS Lewis and going-off the deep-end

That conversion is analogous to biological evolution. Biological evolution
happens "naturally." Conversion doesn't.

On Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 4:41 PM, Dehler, Bernie <bernie.dehler@intel.com>wrote:

> I guess a clarifying question of mine would be "What does Lewis say in
> Ch. 11 that is figurative and can't be literal?"
>
>
>
> …Bernie
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> *From:* David Opderbeck [mailto:dopderbeck@gmail.com]
> *Sent:* Thursday, November 13, 2008 12:01 PM
> *To:* Dehler, Bernie
> *Cc:* asa@calvin.edu
> *Subject:* Re: [asa] CS Lewis and going-off the deep-end
>
>
>
>
> It's an interesting analogy. But read it carefully -- nowhere is Lewis
> suggesting that we simply evolve into new creations. His focus is on
> transformation, of the sort that only comes through submission to Christ.
> He uses the metaphor of evolution to suggest that this process, as it
> occurs in Christians here on earth, isn't always obvious and often is
> gradual. But without that crucial aspect of transformation by Christ and in
> Christ, you're really starting to talk about a different gospel, I think.
>
>
>
> On Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 2:46 PM, Dehler, Bernie <bernie.dehler@intel.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> One thing I wanted to share and see what feedback I get.
>
>
>
> I kind of feel like I might be going-off the deep-end. The reason why is
> because of how I understand C.S. Lewis in "Mere Christianity" (online here:
> http://lib.ru/LEWISCL/mere_engl.txt )
>
>
>
> In his last chapter, 11, "The New Men," he offers evolution as a metaphor
> for gospel transformation. Here's why I think I might be going-off the
> deep-end: I'm starting to see what he wrote as literal instead of
> figurative. It seems so profound and touching, I'm wondering if what he
> says about evolution isn't really just an analogy, but literally true.
>
>
>
> By evolution, I mean "total evolution" not just biological evolution.
> Total evolution explains how everything evolves- from the big-bang, to
> elements, to stars, planets, etc. Maybe the work of Christ is the latest
> injection according to total evolution? He talks about "the next step" in
> evolution- the ability to be born-again.
>
>
>
> Anyway, I feel strange taking something that was offered as an analogy to
> be thinking of it quite literally.
>
>
>
> I'll likely be giving a presentation of this chapter 11 at one of the
> meetings I hold, so I would appreciate feedback on this chapter.
>
>
>
> …Bernie
>
>
>

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Received on Thu Nov 13 18:14:58 2008