...thoughts expressed here are not necessarily final. November 01, 2004 Halloweenies at BBC
November 01, 2004 Notions of Aslan
That is where I experienced my version of what the horses and Shasta did in the book. While there is a progressive side to the journey, (indeed the encounter would not have come apart from the journey through valor to humility ) for Shasta there is a scene of theophanic proportions when Aslan is encountered and apprehended. Shasta is like Lewis- the meeting was one not sought- rather Shasta is hunted down by the Lion. When Aslan declares himself thrice-myself, myself, myself (I am, I am, I am) Shasta encounters perfect terror and beauty, an apt description of apprehending the glory of God. I trembled.
What I've learned about self-sufficiency.
No man is an island.Doh.
1. Some will invariably see you as arrogant. 2. Some will be intimidated by the presence you project. 3. Non one will venture to give advice- a great loss. 4. Almost no one will think to try to encourage you. 5. You will be told by those you need most that they do not worry about you- this is meant to build your confidence, but it has the opposite effect. 6. Conversely, some will see it as their mission in life to tear you down. 7. When self sufficiency is replaced by God-sufficiency, a corrollary humilty is evident. 8. You may be misunderstood in your bold confidence, but you are clean. C. S. Lewis and the charge of Universalism There are certainly those who try to convict Lewis of universalism based on some of his writings- especially the interchange between , but I don't think the evidence is very compelling. Two things attain here- first the aspect of prevenient grace, wherein God uses circumstances and common graces available to all as ways of tilling the soul's soil to make it receptive to the gospel. (I don't want to get overly technical with the theology here). Secondly, Lewis is moving towards a logical termination point here and in the Space Trilogy about the scenario- what about other worlds- if there are any- do they not also need a redeemer and would that redeemer necessarily come in the form of the God/Man-the first century Jew named Jesus of Nazareth? Kosmos (the world) in John 3:16 is a pretty big word. It is easy when speculating upon such mind bending concepts to dance near the pale of orthodoxy- I contend Lewis never crossed the line... While these are thinks (oops-misspelled but Ithink I like this word better than "things" so I will leave it :-)) we really cannot know the answer to, I am a proponent of stretching the mind to engage them in any case... When one reads Lewis is a broader context the mists seem to dissipate. When one contends with the "Hell" chapter of Problem of Pain or the whole of Great Divorce, one will find that he is not vulnerable to the charge of universalism. These words form the instructor for the course, Bruce Edwards "In fact, this is a red herring. In some ways, the charge could be particularism--if anything, Lewis is guilty of believing God will save some of those who thought they were following someone else--and not saving some of those (Susan?) who thought they were (Jesus's comments in Matthew, "Not every one who says unto me, Lord, Lord . . .") At any rate, to me Emeth is a Cornelius (Acts 9-11) figure;"
And from Robin, who has elucidated issues in a way that is most helpful to me personally. "the key to understanding Aslan's reception and honoring of Emeth's worship and service of Tash comes at the moment Emeth sees Aslan for the first time. Having previously hated the idea of him, Emeth falls to his knees utterly undone, but recognizing and worshipping Aslan at first sight. He declares he would rather have this moment of knowing all his years of wrongness than any other treasure. He did not previously have access to the truth of who Aslan was, and when he did his response was instantaneous, a moment of conversion. Aslan explains that Emeth's desire had been for him all along and that is why he "sought so long and truly."" Nov 2, 2004 Didja Vote yet? consider the following- then just do it. Biblical Ethics- A Statement from Crosswalk.com The following statement excerpts are from a larger statement recently prepared and endorsed by more than 80 Christian leaders - is presented for the thoughtful consideration of all who are interested in how the Bible might speak to ethical issues in the current political contests. A full list of those endorsing this message can be found
here: http://www.crosswalk.com/news/1290875.html
"The laws of a nation have a significant influence
on that nation's moral climate, for good or for ill. ... We also encourage
Christians to consider doing even more for the good of our nation, such
as giving time or money, or talking to friends and neighbors, or even
serving in office themselves. Such influence for good on the direction
of our country is one important way of fulfilling Jesus command, "You
shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 22:19)." November 2, 2004-Polling Place Peccadillos Duely Noted
Al Mohler on the election stakes Click here for the commentary. "Christians must be careful to maintain biblical sanity in the midst of political confusion. Guided by a biblical perspective, we may well be the last people on earth who know that the political process is genuinely important, but not ultimate. " Buying into the Postmodern Epistemology Duane Litfin comments on Brian Maclaren's take on the Emergent church. Litfin was my former pastor and now is president of Wheaton College.
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From the personal weblog of Anthony Foster @http://anthonyfoster.com/blog/