Stretch Your Mind a Bit

 I hate to admit this to all of you intellectual Christians who watch these videos that I am just now reading for the first time C.S. Lewis’s book, “Mere Christianity.”  Oh, I have heard about this writing of his for a lot of years, but never got around to obtaining a copy of the book and then actually begin reading it…until just a week or so ago.

For those who haven’t read the book, it is a compilation of sorts, with some parts of it added, of a series of short radio programs Lewis did on the BBC back during World War II.  The back cover of the copy I have says this:  “The book brings together C.S. Lewis’s legendry broadcast talks of the war years, talks in which he set out simply to ‘explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times.’  Rejecting the boundaries that divide Christianity’s many denominations, Lewis provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear a powerful, rational case for the Christian faith.”

I’m not finished with the book yet.  I’m about half way through.  I’m taking it slowly so as to better absorb the wisdom in it.  However, I have already found much that has made me think about what I believe and why.

This video is not one where I mean to delve into the book…I will just ask that you find a copy yourself…you can do that on Amazon or perhaps other used book stores for not much money…and read it for yourself.  It won’t matter if you are a Christian or not.  The book will speak to you.

The purpose of the thought this week is not, as I said, to present a book report on “Mere Christianity,” but rather to encourage you to look for written material which will help you open  your eyes to ideas and even truth which you may either not be aware of or perhaps more commonly, you may have an incorrect assumption about something which the material may be able to help you correct in your mind.  Christians especially shouldn’t be wary of well-written material…material written by God-fearing, faithful men and women such as Lewis who honestly seek out truth and try to convey that truth through the written word.

Many times we as human beings tend to gravitate toward ideas and ideology which conforms to what we already believe, rather than material which will stretch our thought process, force us to critically examine our beliefs, and encourage us to make a change in our world view.  To listen only to views which mimic ours is to stunt our growth, encourage intellectual decay, and create a shrill voice & nasty attitude that is anything but intelligent or pleasant to be around.  Taking in a wide range of thought and ideas tends to mitigate those unpleasant traits and cause us to be more compassionate, more loving, more tolerant, and more generous.  In other words, we tend to come closer to the Golden Rule and the Greatest Commandment (and the one like it) when we open our minds and hearts to those things we don’t yet know and may even be somewhat uncomfortable experiencing for the first time.

Books such as “Mere Christianity” are vital adjuncts to Holy Scripture.  They help explain.  They help us organize our thoughts.  They create more desire for study of Scripture.  They help us grow as people of God.  And in today’s world, books aren’t the only thing.  There are videos everywhere which bring God’s message to humanity to light.  There are podcasts, social media posts, web sites, and a host of resources waiting for us on line.

But let us bring a caveat to the cyber world just as we would to the book world.  Be careful what you take in.  Not all that is found on the Internet is beneficial, true, or benevolent.  Just as one would consider whether a book is solid, good material for consumption, so must one consider whether electronic material is solid, good material for consumption.  Jesus was very plain about being careful of what was on the inside of a person, because what comes out of a person is only as good as what is inside.

I don’t know if you’ve read “Mere Christianity“or not.  I would, if you haven’t yet, encourage you to do so.  And if you’ve already read it, but it’s been awhile, you might want to read it again.  Whether you are a Christian or not, it would be well worth your time to do so.

 

Blessings,