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

Hi David-

 Evolution is different in different realms. For example, there is the sex act in some biological evolution, but not all. For chemical evolution, there is no sex. Same with planetary evolution. DNA mutation plays a part in biological evolution, but no part in planetary or star evolution. Therefore, there's nothing wrong with the next step of evolution, getting born again, being by choice. Evolution also creates new things, for example, the ability to hear, see, talk, think, etc. The new thing in this case is the introduction of the spiritual man, and the way it is received.

 I'm still looking at to why this chapter can't be taken literally. Any other ideas? Does this seem foolish, or am I picking-up on something new?

...Bernie

________________________________
From: David Opderbeck [mailto:dopderbeck@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008 3:14 PM
To: Dehler, Bernie
Cc: asa@calvin.edu
Subject: 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<mailto: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<mailto:dopderbeck@gmail.com>]
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008 12:01 PM
To: Dehler, Bernie
Cc: asa@calvin.edu<mailto: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<mailto: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 Fri Nov 14 12:50:45 2008