Lewis begins the last chapter of Book Two noting that many people ask when the next stage of evolution will occur - when will we evolve to something beyond man? And he believes that the Christian view provides the answer to this: "In Christ a new kind of man appeared, and the new kind of life which began in Him is to be put into us."
Ordinary Human Life
| New Kind of Life (The Christ Life)
|
"Now the God who arranged that [odd] process [of human procreation] is the same God who arranges how the new kind of life - the Christ Life - is to be spread. We must be prepared for it being odd too. He did not consult us when He invented sex; He has not consulted us either when He invented this."
"That is why the Christian is in a different position from other people who are trying to be good. [Other people] hope, by being good, to please God if there is one; or - if they think there is not - at least they hope to deserve approval from good men. But the Christian thinks any good he does comes from the Christ-life inside him. He does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us; just as the roof of a greenhouse does not attract the sun because it is bright, but becomes bright because the sun shines on it." |
- Objection One: Isn't it unfair that the only people who are able to experience this New Life are those who have heard of Jesus and have been given the opportunity to believe in Him? What about the large numbers of people who have never had a chance to be told the story of Christianity and do not know of Jesus?
Response: If we are concerned about the people outside, "the most unreasonable thing you can do is to remain outside yourself" and the most reasonable thing to do would be to get inside and bring them along with you. Lewis says we don't know the arrangements God has for these people, but it is possible that those arrangements will involve individuals like you and me joining the body of Christ and acting as His hands and feet to bring them the news of Christianity. - Objection Two: Why, if God is so powerful and mighty, did he come to humanity to battle evil in disguise and start what seems more like a secret society than an army? Why not just invade and put things right and do away with the enemy once and for all?
Response: Christians do believe God will one day land in force, and the only reason for His delay is to provide individuals the opportunity to freely join Him...
Now, today, this moment, is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It will not last forever. We must take it or leave it."