I'm a big fan of C.S. Lewis, and in particular the Chronicles of Narnia. However, I've never been able to figure out what he was doing when he tells the story (in "The Last Battle") of the guy who's invited into heaven because when he was following Tash, he was actually following Aslan.
“If any man swear by Tash and keep his oath for the oath’s sake, it is by me that he has truly sworn, though he know it not…unless thy desire had been for me thou wouldst not have sought so long and so truly.” (C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle)
This seems to be an example of pluralism.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber...I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will go in and out and find pasture" (John 10:1, 9).
4 comments:
I have heard that this is a slippery topic for Lewis. Ahh, I guess this is just more proof that Wes McMurray is the only man with perfect theology. Can't win 'em all Wes.
My students have been asking a lot of pluralistic questions lately. Interesting you brought it up.
Two comments from The Haun:
1) Ravi Zacharias has some GREAT messages on the pluralism. Check out his radio site. He has one in particular called "The Uniqueness of Christ in World Religions" where he discusses several questions that every religion must answer. Several answer one or two very well but ignore or fail the others. Christ is the only one that stands up to the litmus test. Another good one is "Jesus Among Other Gods." Also, "The Search for Absolutes in a Pluralistic Society" (way back in 2004 in the Archives).
2) C.S.Lewis can get a little funky ("What? Blasphemy!" you say). Check out his "Miracles" book. It seems he is of the mindset that everything pre-Abraham in Scripture is mythology and not fact. You have to understand that he came to the faith as an artist (writer). It is often hard for artist to reconcile the mystical/mystery of God and the rational/absoluteness of God.
It's important remember that even the Christian writers, speakers, teachers, and theologians we esteem the most are fallible. Only God's Word is absolute Truth.
I just thank God we'll have it all explained some day and don't have to bicker about it now (even though that can be fun).
- William Haun
1. perfect theology?...packer says the best theologians can only hope to be about 80% right...(of course that could be in the 20% of what he doesn't get right...)
2. It does seem almost blasphemous to call into question something by C.S. Lewis!...I'll have to go back and read the miracles book. i read it about 9 years ago and didn't understand it at the time.
3. thanks for the ravi resources...he's got a beautiful mind
In my opinion, pluralism is the unavoidable consequece of arminianism. Bible teaches the only way to be saved is faith in the one true God, Jesus Christ. The Arminians want to say salvation is made possible to all, but they cannot avoid the fact that salvation cannot be made possible to all and at the same time be by faith in Christ alone since half if the world has not even heard about Christ. Either you say salvation is through Christ alone and is not made possible to all, but only to the elect or you'll have to say that thre are other means of salvation as C.S. Lewis seemed to say.
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