Clive Staples Lewis, more commonly known as C.S. Lewis, is a widely read and admired author, and is known for many timeless quotes. “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” Is a quote of his that really sheds light on his worldview (no pun intended.) God and His word are the light by which we are to view everything else, Lewis rightly believed. God is the only way to truth and understanding. Jesus said he is the way, the truth, and the life. Who better to trust when viewing the world? If God is not the light by which one sees the world, one will live in darkness and in selfishness, lacking wisdom and discernment. A man who works in the dark is blinded by dullness and can not see what’s in front of him, but a man who works in the light can be productive and happy about what he sees. Unlike authors like Lewis, Postmodern authors who don’t live by this light lead very depressing and meaningless lives like William Faulkner and J.D. Salinger, who died unhappy and confused. Had not Martin Luther sought God’s light in the world around him, he would have never nailed up the 95 thesis. Had not our founding fathers not seen God’s light, they our country wouldn’t have been formed so greatly. Many other examples can be found of Lewis’s thesis in this quote. Forever, C.S. Lewis’s ideas seen in his literature and quotes will be looked to as wise sayings and Christian principle.
"Unlike authors like lewis, postmodern authors who don't live by this light lead very depressing and meaningless lives..." Risky statement, don't you think? If I know anything about logic, it is that an universal statement such as that are the hardest to argue with, since they can be "debunked" persay with only one counter example. Have you talked to every postmodern author about their feeling of fulfillment in their life? How do you know that they had depressing and meaningless lives? Simply because they weren't Christian? Somewhat presumptuous, I would think. Are all non-christians (or non-christian writers) depressed in your book? Forgive me if I read you wrong, but you have interesting ways of arguing, brownish spider.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Whitish Butterfly
Well, Whitish Butterfly, it is a apparent universal statement, I agree.
ReplyDeleteBut let me enlighten you to some contextual factors and general truths, may I?
Postmodern is a genre that is typically pointless and Godless. I have never heard of a Christian post modern author, and I did a similar study, as I was looking into William Faulkner's life.
And yes, being non-Christian would thus be not living in the light, in context to my paper.
A general statement isn't always a illogical thing when contrasting something, because the statement is generally true AND is providing a converse in my paper. However, if I were using it as a fact in a syllogism, there would be a horrible issue, yes.
Nice thoughts.
Thank you.
BROWNISH SPIDER
-LeeAnna
(I'm using a different account to clear any confusion...)