A Favorite of 1,
Read by 1,
Owned by 1,
Reviewed by
1,
Quotes
2
"A deeply meditated study of C.S. Lewis as a social philosopher. It does him good service. Avoiding unnecesaary biographical data, Meilaender concentrates rigoursly on Lewis' writings in an attempt to 'get at the heart of [his] vision of human community
...(more) and his understanding of morality' . . . A discriminating work with an intricate structure well suited to the subject." -Modern Language Review "Meilaender's first-class scholarly study of Lewis's social and ethical thought is also a fine commentary on his anthropology . . . A well-written interpretation of the man who has probably had more influence on the theology of thoughtful Christians in the twentieth century than all the church's professional theologians." -Choice "Meilaender is a master exegete and critic of Lewis' dialectical vision in all its rich concreteness . . . This work must now stand as our best guide to Lewis's thought." -Christian Century "A remarkably complete look at Lewis's thought." -New Oxford Review "Combining solid scholarship with literary imagination, Meilaender does what Lewis himself does: he fascinates readers and draws them unawares into serious thought and into reflection requiring a response. . . . A first-rate study of Lewis that can serve also as an introduction to a serious study of all of Lewis's works." -Religious Studies Review "A book that has been needed for a long time. Meilaender brings to his study not only an in-depth knowledge of philosophy and theology but also a keen literary awareness. . . . A gracefully readable, luminously clear book." -Christianity and Literature GILBERT MEILAENDER is the Phyllis and Richard Duesenberg Professor of Christian Ethics at Valparaiso University. His most recent book is Bioethics: A Primer for Christians (Eerdmans).(less)
Help
Sign In
Start a New Thread
Review
Quote
Photo
Video
Bookmark
Blog Entry
Source: The Taste for the Other: The Social and Ethical Thought of C. S. Lewis, Page: 18
Contributed by: Richard.
The proper posture for the creature is one of receptivity. In Perelandra we see several ways in which this posture could be corrupted or destroyed. First it is always possible to seek ways to assure ourselves of repeating the pleasure. This is what makes money so suspect in Lewis' eyes - it is a means by which we assure ourselves that we can have the pleasure whenever we want it. It provides a measure of independence. One no longer has to throw oneself into the wave. Second, even when one pleasure is given, it is (as the Lady discovered) possible to turn from what is given to something which is (thought to be) preferred. And this, in turn, is what makes a life oriented toward the future suspect for Lewis - to commit too much of one's hopes and happiness to the future will make impossible the posture of receptivity appropriate to a creature.
In either case-whether we try to secure means for repeating the pleasure at will or turn from what is given to something else which is desired - Lewis thinks that we will eventually lose the capacity for delighting in what is received. For to treat a created thing as something more than that is to destroy its true character. To seek in any created thing a complete fulfillment of the longing which moves us is to make of it an object of infinite desire and, because it is only a created thing, a false infinite. It may still be sweet, at least for a time, because it is intended by its Giver to be a source of delight. But in the end it will be poison for the person who gives his heart only to it. Hence the constant temptation: the lure of the sweet poison of the false infinite.