Another things we did in Part 3 of this unit was taking a look at a chapter in called "Nice People or New Men" from C.S Lewis' book, Mere Christianity. Along with the reading, we did some follow up questions and answers...here they are!

1. Lewis proposes three reasons that explain why the world is not neatly divided into Christians and non-Christians. What are they?

  1. The reason that the world isn't divided into Christians and non-Christians is because it simply isn't that simple. This is because of the stages in Christianity that people are in. They range from new Christians, Christians who are not fully committed to their faiths, etc. You can't judge a Christians by grouping them all together, because everyone is in different stages of their faiths. The same goes for non-Christians. We can't judge others through the means of grouping, but rather must consider everyone individually.
  2. We can't ask if "A Christian nicer than a non-Christian?" If what we believe in is true, then Christians should be nicer people than they were before their faith, simply because they would be following the ways of Christ. Comparing Christians and non-Christians on a niceness scale just doesn't work, because everyones circumstances in life are different.
  3. Finally, we can't do this comparison because really, there are too many aspects to one's character. Sure, being nice is a good thing, but God looks at much more than that.

2. Is "niceness" all that God demands of his people? What else does God command?

  • "Niceness" is by no means all God demands of his people. We must live our lives knowing that God has blessed us and given us gifts that we should use to help others, worshiping Him the whole time we do.

3. Why is it "harder" for God to change a person's inner nature than to change a person's personality traits? Why is it more important for God to change the inner nature?

  • It is important for God to change the inner nature of our being because when it comes down to it, that inner being needs to be turned outward. We may change our actions, but if we are doing so to simply make ourselves feel good, then it isn't exactly what God wants. Our inner nature must change into the desire to do God for others, and the knowing that the reason we CAN do good for others is because of the gifts that God had given us in the first place. By changing our inner nature, God make that evident.

4. Of what value is "niceness" in this world? Of what value is "niceness in the next world?

  • Niceness in this world is good, as long as that niceness is taken to a degree in which it helps others and praises God along the way. If we are all "content in their (our) own niceness," and "turned away from God," our niceness means nothing. We must use niceness for the Lord, praising and thanking Him as we make a difference.

1 John 3: "If you are a child of God, you will not go on sinning because God's seed is in you."

  • This verse is mostly talking about our sin that is intentional, or sin that becomes habit. When we read that "God's sin is in you," we must look at the Greek word to find a deeper meaning. "Seed" in Greek is actually sperma. So, what this verse is metaphorically saying is that once we have a relationship with God, his "sperma" is in us.

Reflection:

C.S Lewis has won my position of "favorite author," and this chapter is just a tiny bit of showing why that is. Lewis has so much good insight, and he's a man that gets to the point. He isn't afraid of offending anyone with the truth, and for this (and many other reasons) I respect him a lot. I think that Lewis makes a great point about the niceness thing. There are so many times that we are proud of ourselves for doing something kind, but when it comes down to it, we need to be thanking God for the gifts He has given us that help us accomplish those kind things. He is the One that gave us abilities, and for that we should be thankful.