Mere Christianity, chapter 2

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, part one, chapter two: Some Objections. This post is part of the Mere Christianity book discussion group. You can go to Jason's blog or Sarah Salter's blog to read all the discussion on chapter two.

___________________________________________________________

In chapter two Lewis solidifies his points from chapter one by giving answers to some objections he received against these two foundational points. The two points were:

(1) Deep inside every human being is a moral compass (Natural Law, the Law of Right and Wrong), and (2) every human being fails in following its bearings (we all fall short and break the law).

I see a classic case of Genesis 3 here in this chapter. The Fall of Man wasn't caused by some massive horrible sin. Adam and Eve didn't commit mass murder or genocide. They didn't rape or cause harm to any other person. The first sin was nothing more than a seed of doubt which led to a lack of trust in God.

"Did God really say…" (Genesis 3:1)

The serpent's intent wasn't to have Eve kill her husband. He simply wanted Eve to doubt God. In all that God commanded of Adam and Eve the main thing he wanted them to do was to trust Him. When we doubt God, or when we have objections to absolute truth, we are basically seeking independence from God – it's a lack of trust. "Did God really say…" is a statement we say to ourselves all the time. The serpent planted that seed of rebellion and it is the reason we all fall short of trusting God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength.

I don't find it odd that people have doubts about the Law of Right and Wrong. When people doubt the absolute truth they feel deep down inside they in fact doubt God.

Lewis put it in terms of sheet music which directs the notes that are played on a piano. The sheet music is the absolute truth, and the notes are the instincts and the actions that we take based what the sheet music says.

We doubt the sheet music.

We see the notes and ask, "Is this really what I'm supposed to play? Will this make the best melody? I'm not sure, so I'll try this note instead."

We don't trust the sheet music, and we don't trust the Composer.

_____________________________________________________

There is a lot more in chapter two so check out the other posts written today in the blog discussion. Thanks for stopping by.

What thoughts do you have on the Fall, do you see the seed of doubt?

.