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Theology of C.S. Lewis
Book: Mere Christianity Book 4- Beyond Personality
Chapter: 11: The New Men
Who are the new men? What is humanity heading toward? Lewis believes the next
stage in the development of mankind has been modeled by a prototype, and is, by
choice, available to all humans. The Jew from Nazareth who died and rose again is
the new man. The evolution of mankind is not an increase in personal strength,
intellect or achievement. It isn’t about the human personality at all. To move
onward and upward requires a letting go of all that is mine, a giving away of self in
exchange for something greater.
The mistake we make is to believe that all we seek will be found as we attempt to
find more of ourselves. Lewis argues that the more we get self out of the way, the
more we truly become what we were meant to be. This is a paradox to be sure, but
according to Lewis, it is the only way the Zoe can take primacy over the Bios. It is
only when my personality is given over to God that I can really begin to have a
personality of my own. To gain life eternal is to give away all of life that is natural.
I think the comparison to evolution may frighten many Christians. It doesn’t bother
me at all. I haven’t ruled out evolution as a means for God to create the natural
realm, although I am still not convinced. However, Leslie Newbign observes that if
evolution is true, it can provide a rich illustration for salvation (which scripture
describes are more of a process than an event) and sanctification. Lewis’ belief that
our choices move us in process toward either heaven or hell sounds evolutionary.
The point, however, is that the New Man offers all men the gift to develop into new
men, and thus to infect our world for the good of mankind and to the glory of God.
Book: Mere Christianity Book 4- Beyond Personality
Chapter: 11: The New Men
Who are the new men? What is humanity heading toward? Lewis believes the next
stage in the development of mankind has been modeled by a prototype, and is, by
choice, available to all humans. The Jew from Nazareth who died and rose again is
the new man. The evolution of mankind is not an increase in personal strength,
intellect or achievement. It isn’t about the human personality at all. To move
onward and upward requires a letting go of all that is mine, a giving away of self in
exchange for something greater.
The mistake we make is to believe that all we seek will be found as we attempt to
find more of ourselves. Lewis argues that the more we get self out of the way, the
more we truly become what we were meant to be. This is a paradox to be sure, but
according to Lewis, it is the only way the Zoe can take primacy over the Bios. It is
only when my personality is given over to God that I can really begin to have a
personality of my own. To gain life eternal is to give away all of life that is natural.
I think the comparison to evolution may frighten many Christians. It doesn’t bother
me at all. I haven’t ruled out evolution as a means for God to create the natural
realm, although I am still not convinced. However, Leslie Newbign observes that if
evolution is true, it can provide a rich illustration for salvation (which scripture
describes are more of a process than an event) and sanctification. Lewis’ belief that
our choices move us in process toward either heaven or hell sounds evolutionary.
The point, however, is that the New Man offers all men the gift to develop into new
men, and thus to infect our world for the good of mankind and to the glory of God.