God in the Dock: 4th 3 essays

In “The Transmission  of Christianity” Lewis emphasizes the importance of individual testimony over against that of abstract arguments in the transmission of Christianity to the upcoming generation.  The role of a teacher is crucial: “Nothing which was not in the teachers can flow from them into the pupils. . . . As the teachers are, so they will teach.” The secular position of the state pales into insignificance so long as there are Christian teachers in the classroom.

The issue this article poses is of great significance in our country today.  Since the prevailing principle is to keep Church and State completely separate, Christian teachers in classrooms in the United States are forbidden by the state to present Christianity.  

WHAT SHOULD OUR CHRISTIAN TEACHERS DO?  ANY ADVICE?

In “Miserable Offenders” Lewis is addressing people who use the Prayer Book and puzzle over the meaning of specific terms, such as seeing oneself as a “miserable offender.”  Lewis proceeds to define such terms in line with modern words, as definitions of various words do change with time. 

It seems to me that in one’s prayer life it is essential to be completely open and honest before God as to one’s own attitudes and acts, confessing in words of which one clearly knows the meaning.  Therefore I do not find preconceived models, such as the Prayer Book, helpful. I think the Lord’s Prayer finishes us with a helpful  model; one can apply the various phrases to one’s own life and enlarge upon them according to what is occupying one’s thoughts at the moment.  

ANY THOUGHTS OR REACTIONS?

In “The Founding of the Socratic Club” Lewis explains the nature of one of the aspects of his career for which he was well-known, that is, his enthusiastic participation in this group that met regularly in Oxford to debate various aspects of Christian doctrine with atheists.  It was said of him that he “could never be put down” when he, as president, led sessions and keenly contributed to discussions.  

ANY COMMENTS?   

Comments

Tim M said…
It was interesting reading Lewis on this topic some 80 years later to see how his projection had played out. I don't know what education is like in the UK but I'd be willing to speculate that it isn't any better than here. I think Lewis was maybe a little too optimistic or had too much faith in the Christian culture and it has gone south much faster. To some level he was probably right in that teachers teach from their own perspective ... If they have a basic belief in what's right behavior they would expect to pass that along to their students. But beyond that level it seems that the government has taken over much more than Lewis envisioned on forcing what is taught. The Christian educator today??? I know of no other alternative than to leave the secular school and work in a Christian school. It's sad because the kids in the secular schools desperately need to see an alternative but the system has effectively muzzled the Christian. It's scary to think what the teachers will be like in the next generation to use Lewis's line of thought.

For the prayer book thoughts, I would agree that prayer should be communing with God and not saying someone else's words. I guess I was struck more by the idea that the modern age couldn't accept the fact that their sin was all that bad ... As in the view of the train wreck.

I don't really resonate with the society. I'm sure it could be helpful to one to see how others are thinking in order to deepen our own understanding and faith. It just seems fruitless because you can't argue another into the kingdom; and dangerous because someone of weaker faith may get terribly confused and full of doubt rather than assurance and peace. But then I've never enjoyed confrontation like some people do.
April 7, 2022 at 7:23 PM
Rolland Hein said…
I quite agree with all you are saying. The Christian teacher in the USA today is in a precarious situation. But to be consistently Christian in attitude, conduct and values, taking a very personal and helpful relation to each student, can have a powerful effect. Deeply loving God and loving others in willingness to give of one's self, helping others at one's expense, is the essence of true Christianity, and it can have a profound, long-term effect without being verbalized.
April 8, 2022 at 8:54 AM
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