“The Rival Conceptions of God”
C.S. Lewis
It’s easy for me to blindly reject other religions. I don’t have to take them seriously. I don’t have to listen to their beliefs. I don’t have to know about them. I don’t have to care about people that believe in them.
Unfortunately, it shouldn’t be that easy for a Christian to deal with other religions. I agree with Lewis about how each religion contains some truth, some coming closer than others to the ultimate Truth of Christ. It’s difficult to force myself to look closely and discern what non-Christians have right, when it is obvious what they have wrong. By examining other religions, we are forced to learn about them and then find common ground.
This essay reminded me of Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill, where he related the Greek temple of the unknown god to the Christian God. This sermon was so powerful for the Greeks because they understood and recognized the power of this unknown God.
Being able to relate with those who believe in other things is a powerful tool for missions, if we can see the good in other faiths. It’s important to recognize the validity in their beliefs so that they might recognize the validity in ours. I liked the essay because it reminded me of this.
2 comments:
I really loved the closing paragraph of Megan's: "Being able to relate with those who believe in other things is a powerful tool for missions, if we can see the good in other faiths. It’s important to recognize the validity in their beliefs so that they might recognize the validity in ours. I liked the essay because it reminded me of this."
C.S. Lewis is a very interesting man in my opinion. His stories are incredible, and at the same time they are full of deep theological ideas. The fact that he was once an atheist makes his ideas and arguments more valid and solid to me. In this essay he is more credible because of his open mindedness and reason against even himself.
It was a good read for me. It provoked some ideas. Often as a Christian I feel that I am right because I am a Christian. I feel like others can't have part right. I need to find the "common ground" between myself and others to be a better witness for Christ.
My respect of C.S. Lewis continues to grow with every piece I read that has his name on it. His ideas as a philosopher and a scholar have the ability to completely blow my mind and at the same time connect on a very simple level with my simple musings. His contributions will long be remembered as serving Christianity well and with a servant's heart.
The most valuable section in this essay is the bit where he shares about his personal experience being an atheist. His writing is made all the more credible by his addmission of his past doubts and I have to say I learn more from where he has been than where he is trying to lead other people.
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