Reading C.S.Lewis can be Dangerous

Reading the Bible can be dangerous. Look how many read it and get the wrong idea.

 

Going to church can be bad too. Look at how many are disobedient and do not make disciples.

 

Let's do the math:
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• there are seven books in the series and Disney plans to make movies of them all.</font>
• there are half a dozen threads about C.S. Lewis</font>
• there are a few threads about the movie.</font>
• there are a few posters who believe CSL to be the devil with a pen.</font>
• there are many posters who understand allegory and extended metaphor.</font>

Why don't we just put all the threads in the BB Archives and when the rest of the movies are out repost the old threads. Look at all the time we'll save not having to re-write the same old stuff over and over again.

 

Whatever. I've read all 7 of the Chaonicles of Narnia. To date, neither I nor my faith has been compromised.

 

Yes, he was a brilliant author.

It's pretty much common knowledge.

I agree. I'm also disturbed by the amount of paganism shown and described in the Bible.

What makes you think that? Give two specific examples of why you believe C.S. Lewis is in hell.

Indeed, it is a very poor Christian who is, as you said, unsaved!

[/quote]Beware of eating food sacrificed to idols.[/quote]

The next time I stop in at Denny's I'll remember to ask if the food was a sacrifice to an idol before it was brought out to me. Thanks for the reminder.

I agree!

So we should go with dim-witted non-philosophers when we want a good read?

I've never read a book and suddenly found it slowly dawning upon me that I was worshipping a strange god. How do you worship a strange god, and not realize it?

It sounds like you're attempting to say that really enjoying a book written by a excellent author, that includes a treatment of wrong vs right, is akin to worshipping a false god.

It strikes me as quite silly. You've provided NO proof for ANY of your statements, you simply came on and condemned a decent author to hell and said that reading his books is the same as worshipping a false god. What's up with that?

There's enough evil in this world that we honestly don't have to be concerned with turning good into evil just so we have MORE to work against. Let's finish with what we have, and when we fix all that and get really bored, we can start sacrificing up Lewis and other authors, but I'd prefer to start with anesthesiologists. They control people's minds you know. Think about it.

 

C.S. Lewis was probably born again. You read his works and I do not see how he was wrong. If you watch The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe you will know Lewis believed in Christ's redemptive work and also he believed in the bodily resurrection, also notice this book confirms Christ deity. I don't see many false teachings there. Just because you don't agree with every point of his doctrine does not mean he wasn't saved.

 

The book is simply contains some reflections of the scripture. No one is taking it as scripture. No one would base their view of scriputre on the book. I don't see what there is to be scared of.

 

I believe you were asked for some proof of your statements that CSL is in hell, which was your claim. I think an honest christain would supply the evidence, or retract their previous unfounded claim.

I feel you are implying if we read CSL and enjoy his works, and if we find no problem with his works, that we are not allowing the bible to talk to us? I do not feel this is true at all, given the fact that there is no reason for me to accept an unsubstantiated claim.

I ask that you as a bible believer consider the following verses:
Lev. 19: 16Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the LORD.
2 Tim 3:2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers , incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Prov. 11:9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

So, if you have evidence of the fact that CSL is in hell, then I ask you produce it. If you have evidence that CSL believed in pagan philosophy, then I ask you produce it. If not, then the above verses are speaking directly to you. I ask that you consider them accordingly.

 

Procycon,

Am I a real christian? Am I worshipping a strange god? I have a degree in philosophy, and I enjoy reading such authors as Nietzsche and Sartre. I am fond of the play "Waiting for Godot", although I don't hold it as truth, and it is just a play to me with a philosophical twist. I have passages of Plato's Republic memorized, as well as portions of the Phaedo. The list could go on and on. I read these authors and "study' their philosophy. I however, look to the Bible for my faith and my religion. It is possible for people to read, for the sheer enjoyment of it, without subscribing to the author's theology/philosophy.

 

"Procycon,

Am I a real christian? Am I worshipping a strange god? I have a degree in philosophy, and I enjoy reading such authors as Nietzsche and Sartre. I am fond of the play "Waiting for Godot", although I don't hold it as truth, and it is just a play to me with a philosophical twist. I have passages of Plato's Republic memorized, as well as portions of the Phaedo. The list could go on and on. I read these authors and "study' their philosophy. I however, look to the Bible for my faith and my religion. It is possible for people to read, for the sheer enjoyment of it, without subscribing to the author's theology/philosophy. "
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Yea, FP, you are a Christian. And it is good to be familiar with the enemy. But the fact is, Nania contains alot of truth, its not just a good story, and its not bad theology. But it is not about theology, so it does not have to be theologicaly pure. Just like a painting of Jesus does not actually have to look like him.

 

Yes, well I've yet to be "ensnared by the deceptive god of this world", and that is a pretty self-righteous statement, considering you don't know me from Adam. If you cannot read without being ensnared by the gods of this world, then don't. Do not place your constraints upon everyone else, just because others know how to practice discernment.

 

I believe CSL was a Christian, and have only read Mere Christianity and The Abolition of Man, which were both excellent. I was rather troubled by his approving use of the word "Tao" (to describe Christian morality, as I recall) but he was a wonderful apologist whom many Christians credit with having brought them to belief in God and to Christ. OTOH, I hope that others here will realize that you're not the first to question Lewis's Christianity. I first came across it in a publication of Watchman Fellowship, a wonderful organization dedicating to investigating cults. No, they were not saying that Lewis was cultic, but they did look at pagan ideas found in his writings. While I disagree with your (and their) conclusion, it is certainly a legitimate topic for debate.

 

So what if they do? Are they better Christians than anyone else on this board just because they moderate or have been here longer? lol

Yes, well I've yet to be "ensnared by the deceptive god of this world", and that is a pretty self-righteous statement, considering you don't know me from Adam. If you cannot read without being ensnared by the gods of this world, then don't. Do not place your constraints upon everyone else, just because others know how to practice discernment. </font>[/QUOTE]Amen to that Filmproducer!