Faith (‘Faith and Works’) by C.S. Lewis Doodle (BBC Talk 18, Mere Christianity, Bk 3, Chapter 12)

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3 жыл бұрын

C.S. Lewis broadcast second talks on Faith, entitled ‘The Problem of Faith and Works’. Notes below...
You can find the book here: www.amazon.com/Mere-Christiani...
(2:51) “If you are right with God, you will inevitably be right with all your fellow creatures”. I should point out that ‘right’ here does not necessarily mean ‘at peace’ with all your fellow creatures. Being in a right position to others can mean, at times, you are in a position of war with those against God, e.g. David was in a right position to Goliath in his Holy Spirit-inspired anger “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”.
(5:41) The story of Bunyan’s conversion: 'Bunyan says, "I did set the commandments before me for my way to heaven; which commandments I did also strive to keep, &, as I thought, did keep them pretty well sometimes, and thus I should have comfort; yet now and then should break one, and so afflict my conscience; but then I should repent, and say I was sorry for it, and promised God to do better next time, and there get help again; for then I thought I pleased God as well as any man in England. Thus I continued about a year; all which time our neighbors did take me to be a very godly man, a new and religious man, and did marvel much to see such great and famous alteration in my life and manners; and, indeed, so it was, though I knew not Christ, nor grace, nor faith, nor hope."
But one day, after Bunyan had removed to Bedford, as he was passing down the street, he noticed a few poor women in conversation in a doorway. He drew near, and listened a while to their talk. They were speaking of the new birth, and the work of God's Spirit in their souls, and their personal experiences of the saving power of God's grace through Christ. He stood amazed, and realized that they possessed something of which he was entirely ignorant.
He then began to perceive that salvation is not from anything that comes from man, or that man can do, but that it is from God, and that to possess it he must have to do with God Himself-that it was something new he must possess in his soul which none but God can give, a forgiveness of sins which none but God can administer. These poor women were basking in the sunshine whilst he, with all his doings, was shivering in the cold.” (C. Knapp)
(6:20) “I think we must introduce into the discussion a distinction between two senses of the word Faith. This may mean (A) a settled intellectual assent. In that sense faith (or 'belief') in God hardly differs from faith in the uniformity of Nature [that Nature behaves in the same way from the remotest nebula to the shyest photon] or in the consciousness of other people. This is what, I think, has sometimes been called a 'notional' or 'intellectual' or 'carnal' faith. It may also mean (B) a trust, or confidence, in the God whose existence is thus assented to. This involves an attitude of the will. It is more like our confidence in a friend. It would be generally agreed that Faith in sense A is not a religious state. The devils who 'believe and tremble' (Note James 2.19) have Faith-A. A man who curses or ignores God may have Faith-A…”
“I doubt whether religious people have ever supposed that Faith-B follows automatically on the acquisition of Faith-A. It is described as a 'gift' (Note: biblehub.com/ephesians/2-8.htm , biblehub.com/1_corinthians/12... ;). As soon as we have Faith-A in the existence of God, we are instructed to ask from God Himself the gift of Faith-B…” (‘Is Theology Important?’ [i.e. Are Theological Proofs of God Important to Faith?])
(11:02) “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,' but you must have it in you before you can work it out.” Trembling" I notice but not "sweating", i.e. not doing good works in order to be saved.
(12:16) Similar principle here, in the saying ‘you can give without love, but you cannot love without giving’.
(12:44) “Morality is a mountain which we cannot climb by our own efforts; & if we could we should only perish in the ice and unbreathable air of the summit, lacking those wings with which the rest of the journey has to be accomplished. For it is from there that the real ascent begins. The ropes and axes are 'done away' & the rest is a matter of flying (Man and Rabbit).”
The original broadcast had the following words italicised which add to understanding (shown in CAPS): "if one COULD understand it now, it would only do one harm", “because it MAY be a help”, “I mean REALLY discovered”, “will soon learn to SAY that we have nothing to offer to God that isn’t already His own”, “it MUST follow that you are trying to obey Him”, “wouldn’t BE good actions but only commercial speculations”, “or trust IN HIM, but only intellectual acceptance of some theory ABOUT Him.”

Пікірлер: 35

@castleaether1965 3 жыл бұрын

8:31 I made this observation verrry early in my life. In 4th grade I went to a Catholic school and I remember my teacher always said to "be good so you can go to Heaven." But I always thought to myself ... shouldn't I be good because it is the right thing to do? Not for a reward, nor recognition, but for the simple fact that Christ lives within me and guides me.

@sterlingsubs Жыл бұрын

This is a popular thing to say these days, that we should be good for the cause, and that should be enough. It's actually the spirit of Christ to give without expectancy of getting back. But if there were zero promise or expectation of reward, would we as self centered humans constantly procrastinate doing good? I think the reward is a great initial motivator, and then we get used to seeing the results of doing good. And, the warmth of the Holy Spirit guiding us along. Really, the Holy Spirit IS a reward. As is seeing that we've made a difference.

@sterlingsubs Жыл бұрын

Much of the reason I say this, is because atheist rhetoric loves to manipulate this concept of "why does a good person need a reward to do good"? They suggest unbelievers are superior, doing good without belief in eternal or Godly reward. And, that many believers would refuse to do any good whatsoever if there wasn't an eternal reward. This is all conjecture, naturally-- as there is no way to know the deep inner incentives of believers or unbelievers. Bottom line-- we all like to help and do good. But believers have the Holy Spirit to constantly shake us into action and guide us along, even when things get really tough.

@CSLewisDoodle Жыл бұрын

C.S. Lewis talks about this in his essay “The Weight of Glory” in some detail if you were interested in some very good discussion of the topic of eternal reward. “The New Testament has lots to say about self-denial, but not about self-denial as an end in itself. We are told to deny ourselves and to take up our crosses in order that we may follow Christ; and nearly every description of what we shall ultimately find if we do so contains an appeal to desire. If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased..." “It is promised, firstly, that we shall be with Christ; secondly, that we shall be like Him; thirdly, with an enormous wealth of imagery, that we shall have "glory"; fourthly, that we shall, in some sense, be fed or feasted or entertained; and, finally, that we shall have some sort of official position in the universe - ruling cities, judging angels, being pillars of God's temple.” “...It is written that we shall "stand before" Him, shall appear, shall be inspected. The promise of glory is the promise, almost incredible and only possible by the work of Christ, that some of us, that any of us who really chooses, shall actually survive that examination, shall find approval, shall please God. To please God... to be a real ingredient in the divine happiness... to be loved by God, not merely pitied, but delighted in as an artist delights in his work or a father in a son - it seems impossible, a weight or burden of glory which our thoughts can hardly sustain. But so it is.” For myself, I find the promise of eternal reward a great encouragement, when the reward for obeying the Holy Spirit in this life becomes very costly or hostile or results in some sort of painful flack. The idea of eternal reward then feels like burn cream.

@sterlingsubs Жыл бұрын

@@CSLewisDoodle Thank you for sharing that! That is very inspiring! He says it better than I could.

@CSLewisDoodle 3 жыл бұрын

(12:44) More from C.S. Lewis: “ 'When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away' (1 Cor. 13.10). The idea of reaching 'a good life' without Christ is based on a double error. Firstly, we cannot do it; and secondly, in setting up 'a good life' as our final goal, we have missed the very point of our existence. Morality is a mountain which we cannot climb by our own efforts; and if we could we should only perish in the ice and unbreathable air of the summit, lacking those wings with which the rest of the journey has to be accomplished. For it is from there that the real ascent begins. The ropes and axes are 'done away' and the rest is a matter of flying ('Man and Rabbit').” More notes in the video description.

@mesasnell3041 2 жыл бұрын

Consider pinning your comment so we might see it more readily.

@ovidiudante 3 жыл бұрын

This video came shortly after I started thinking about this very thing. God really does wonders.

@Migueleby 2 жыл бұрын

Same here, God is good.

@eddierobbertse8957 3 жыл бұрын

Wow. Lewis had a gift with words! These doodles are the perfect pairing.

@MrBloodWake 3 жыл бұрын

This video came at the exact right moment for me and my constant failings. Thank you.

@jeffvandyke1239 3 жыл бұрын

Literally just had a sermon on that passage in Phillipians yesterday. Remembering that God is on a different level, working in us, is important to remember in order to understand how God recieves the credit for our acts of obedience. Thanks for your illustrations!

@natasha.angomwile 2 жыл бұрын

Wow this hits deeeeeep! His views are so comprehensive, I think there’s a part in there for practically any Christian to relate to. Love how he excellently articulates things that are often so hard to put into words. I also love his way of writing, it’s engaging. Thank you C.S Lewis, and thanks to this channel and their lovely doodles!

@redwatkins85 Жыл бұрын

I’ve tried to put all of this into words since I became saved last year but it always comes out in confusion and later, frustration. Now I have the words that are in my head in a video I can share it to help me explain 😂. I second what someone else said below, praise be to God who gives us what we need when we ask! I needed this video.

@leenaright3949 3 ай бұрын

Me too ! These illustrations and narrations are helping me change everything. I have the book, Mere Christianity. When I've tried to read and comprehend it, I find it impossible. Listening to him speak the words while watching him illustrate the concepts behind the words, is opening a new thing in me. When I hear the words that are written, I hear emphasis, tone, crucial pauses, and conclusions all along the way.. leading to me having new understanding ! When I simply read his book, the words, sentences, and meanings just run together . I am now understanding the wonderous gift that has been given to me 🌷

@AJKPenguin 3 жыл бұрын

9:08 Fantastic metaphor for Faith and Works. . .sheer excellence. : ) Thank you for keeping the legacy of Lewis on air with sharing your God given gift of drawing, drawing upon the his work, drawn upon His Good News.

@pilgrimonthelongroad2875 3 жыл бұрын

This brought me to tears. Thank you.

@dr.zoidberg5096 3 жыл бұрын

1 day ago? Am I seeing things?! Honesty. This is amazing. It really helps me keep track of the points being made and its alot easier to relay this information to other because its almost like watching a movie in my mind while I recite it, Thank you. As im watching this im realizing how much I've been beating myself up for not being able to be all Christ wants me to be. But now I realize I AM already that, I realize the battle is over and Christ won, I actually feel.. good haha. Really, really good, its hard to explain. I know christ loves me as much on my worst day as my best day but now, now i realize what he's saying around 8:00 min

@steveoneil5332 3 жыл бұрын

Always a good day when there is a new Doodle!

@TellEveryoneRecords 3 жыл бұрын

The first 1:28 or so of this video speak so well to my current experience. I'm walking into a season where God is making clear so much of His word that seemed fuzzy to me, and what I love the most is that it's encouraging me to dive deeper and deeper into the unknown areas of my faith and of the Scriptures in an exciting and eager kind of way. Thank you, as always, for the work your do through this awesome channel.

@leenaright3949 3 ай бұрын

These illustrations and narrations are helping me change everything. I have the book, Mere Christianity. When I've tried to read and comprehend it, I find it impossible. Listening to you speak the words while watching you illustrate the concepts behind the words, is opening a new thing in me. When you speak the words written, I hear emphasis, tone, crucial pauses, and conclusions all along the way.. leading to me having new understanding ! When I simply read his book, the words, sentences, and meanings just run together . Thank you so much for using your skills in obedience to God, so that I can more fully appreciate the wonderous gift that has been given to me 🌷

@sagadiablo Жыл бұрын

This whole series is gorgeous!

@ChannelPabilona Жыл бұрын

I am deeply grateful of this video! It really shed a light on my confusion between faith and works.

@stvnjolly365 3 жыл бұрын

Man, I freaking love these. Keep it up!

@dianesanderson930 2 жыл бұрын

Well chosen words; fitly spoken; like apples of gold in settings of silver.

@micahcurrie3485 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for creating these. They have helped me greatly in my faith. They explain the more heady concepts that Lewis discusses in an easy to understand way