God in the Dock: Difference between revisions
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''' ''God in the Dock'' ''' is a collection of essays and speeches from [[C. S. Lewis]]. Its title implies "God on Trial"<ref>For those unfamiliar with the [[English English|English]] phrase "[[Wiktionary:in the dock|in the dock]]": in criminal cases in English courts, the accused is placed in the "dock" — a half height open-topped box.</ref> and is based on an analogy<ref>To be found near the end of the essay "God in the Dock" (pp. 200–1 in ''Undeceptions''){{Incomplete short citation|date=May 2014}}</ref> made by Lewis suggesting that modern human beings, rather than seeing themselves as standing before God in judgement, prefer to [[Lawsuits against God|place God on trial]] while acting as his judge. |
''' ''God in the Dock'' ''' is a collection of previously unpublished essays and speeches from [[C. S. Lewis]], collected from many sources after his death. Its title implies "God on Trial"<ref>For those unfamiliar with the [[English English|English]] phrase "[[Wiktionary:in the dock|in the dock]]": in criminal cases in English courts, the accused is placed in the "dock" — a half height open-topped box.</ref> and the title is based on an analogy<ref>To be found near the end of the essay "God in the Dock" (pp. 200–1 in ''Undeceptions''){{Incomplete short citation|date=May 2014}}</ref> made by Lewis suggesting that modern human beings, rather than seeing themselves as standing before God in judgement, prefer to [[Lawsuits against God|place God on trial]] while acting as his judge. |
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This book was originally published in the United Kingdom as ''Undeceptions: Essays on Theology and Ethics'',<ref>Lewis, C.S. (Hooper. Walter (ed.), London: Geoffrey Bles (1971); some references are to this edition</ref> while a shorter book, published by Fontana in 1979 and entitled ''God in the Dock: Essays on Theology'', does not include many of the essays in this larger collection.[http://copac.ac.uk/search?&title=God+in+the+Dock&sort-order=rank (see COPAC listing)] |
This book was originally published in the United Kingdom as ''Undeceptions: Essays on Theology and Ethics'',<ref>Lewis, C.S. (Hooper. Walter (ed.), London: Geoffrey Bles (1971); some references are to this edition</ref> while a shorter book, published by Fontana in 1979 and entitled ''God in the Dock: Essays on Theology'', does not include many of the essays in this larger collection.[http://copac.ac.uk/search?&title=God+in+the+Dock&sort-order=rank (see COPAC listing)] |
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:''"It is not lawful, O Stranger, for us to change the date of Crissmas, but would that Zeus would put it into the minds of the Niatirbians to keep Exmas at some other time or not to keep it at all. For Exmas and the Rush distract the minds even of the few from sacred things. And we indeed are glad that men should make merry at Crissmas; but in Exmas there is no merriment left." And when I asked him why they endured the Rush, he replied, "It is, O Stranger, a racket. . . "'' |
:''"It is not lawful, O Stranger, for us to change the date of Crissmas, but would that Zeus would put it into the minds of the Niatirbians to keep Exmas at some other time or not to keep it at all. For Exmas and the Rush distract the minds even of the few from sacred things. And we indeed are glad that men should make merry at Crissmas; but in Exmas there is no merriment left." And when I asked him why they endured the Rush, he replied, "It is, O Stranger, a racket. . . "'' |
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In the chapter "Evil and God," Lewis refers to "mellontolatry", or the worship of the future.<ref>''Undeceptions'' p. 2</ref> He considers this to be unproductive |
In the chapter "Evil and God," Lewis refers to "mellontolatry", or the worship of the future.<ref>''Undeceptions'' p. 2</ref> He considers this to be unproductive IF the future is simply where the world is going, that is, a random walk. He believes that the world can hardly congratulate itself for having "arrived" at a future that is simply a place it has got to, if that is all that it is - Lewis in fact argues that there is more purpose than that, but that some worship that alone. |
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Lewis also address those skeptical of the [[Resurrection of Jesus]]. Even if one interprets the [[crucifixion of Jesus]] as a strictly historical event, this doesn't preclude its subsequent mythologization. But neither does it negate its historicity. The claim of the [[Four Evangelists|Gospel writers]] is that [[Resurrection of Jesus|Jesus' resurrection]] is a specific historical event in which humanity finally gains a fulfillment of its ancient desire for eternity: |
Lewis also address those skeptical of the [[Resurrection of Jesus]]. Even if one interprets the [[crucifixion of Jesus]] as a strictly historical event, this doesn't preclude its subsequent mythologization. But neither does it negate its historicity. The claim of CS Lewis is that of the [[Four Evangelists|Gospel writers]] is that [[Resurrection of Jesus|Jesus' resurrection]] is a specific historical event in which humanity finally gains a fulfillment of its ancient desire for eternity: |
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:The heart of Christianity is a myth which is also a fact. The old myth of the Dying God, without ceasing to be myth, comes down from the heaven of legend and imagination to the earth of history. It happens — ''at a particular date, in a particular place, followed by definable historical consequences''. We pass from a Balder or an Osiris, dying nobody knows when or where, to a ''historical Person'' crucified (it is all in order) under Pontius Pilate. By becoming fact it does not cease to be myth: that is the miracle.<ref>''Myth became fact'', essay published in ''God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics'', C. S. Lewis, Walter Hooper (Editor), Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Reprint edition (October 1994; original copyright 1970 by the Trustees of the Estate of C. S. Lewis) ISBN 0-8028-0868-9</ref> |
:The heart of Christianity is a myth which is also a fact. The old myth of the Dying God, without ceasing to be myth, comes down from the heaven of legend and imagination to the earth of history. It happens — ''at a particular date, in a particular place, followed by definable historical consequences''. We pass from a Balder or an Osiris, dying nobody knows when or where, to a ''historical Person'' crucified (it is all in order) under Pontius Pilate. By becoming fact it does not cease to be myth: that is the miracle.<ref>''Myth became fact'', essay published in ''God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics'', C. S. Lewis, Walter Hooper (Editor), Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Reprint edition (October 1994; original copyright 1970 by the Trustees of the Estate of C. S. Lewis) ISBN 0-8028-0868-9</ref> |
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===Specifics=== |
===Specifics=== |
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The final section of the book focuses on specifics. It addresses the logical fallacy Lewis named "[[Bulverism]]" as well as issues concerning religious observances such as Christmas. It answers some of the questions non-Christians have about Christianity. |
The final section of the book focuses on specifics. It addresses the logical fallacy Lewis named "[[Bulverism]]" as well as issues concerning religious observances such as Christmas. It answers some of the questions non-Christians have about Christianity. These essays are not logically connected; rather, they have been collected together from various sources. Some may have fit into prior sections, but are organised by the collector of the essays as they are - posthumously. |
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== Footnotes == |
== Footnotes == |
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Revision as of 11:21, 31 August 2016
 First edition | |
| Author | C. S. Lewis |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Christianity |
| Publisher | Eerdmans |
Publication date | 1970 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 346 |
| ISBN | 0-8028-1456-5 |
| OCLC | 32880490 |
God in the Dock is a collection of previously unpublished essays and speeches from C. S. Lewis, collected from many sources after his death. Its title implies "God on Trial"[1] and the title is based on an analogy[2] made by Lewis suggesting that modern human beings, rather than seeing themselves as standing before God in judgement, prefer to place God on trial while acting as his judge.
This book was originally published in the United Kingdom as Undeceptions: Essays on Theology and Ethics,[3] while a shorter book, published by Fontana in 1979 and entitled God in the Dock: Essays on Theology, does not include many of the essays in this larger collection.(see COPAC listing)
Three sections
Groundwork
The collection covers a wide range of topics but focuses primarily on Lewis' view of Christianity. The book is split into three sections, the first of which contains essays such as "Myth Became Fact", "The Grand Miracle", and "Is Theism Important?". These articles lay the groundwork for Lewis' apologetics, essentially establishing a starting point at which the true discrepancies between Christians and non-Christians become clear.
Argument
The second section of God in the Dock builds on that starting point and presents a persuasive argument for Christianity. In articles including "Revival or Decay?" and "Modern Translations of the Bible", Lewis defends authentic Christianity and draws a distinct line between Truth and Religion.
Lewis had already noted a distinct split between the religious and secular observance of Christmas. In Xmas and Christmas: A Lost Chapter from Herodotus,[4] Lewis relates as satire the observance of two simultaneous holidays in "Niatirb" (Britain backwards) from the supposed view of the Greek historian and traveller. One, "Exmas", is observed by a flurry of compulsory commercial activity and expensive indulgence in alcoholic beverages. The other, "Crissmas," is observed in Niatirb's temples. Lewis's narrator asks a priest "why they kept Crissmas on the same day as Exmas?" He receives the reply:
- "It is not lawful, O Stranger, for us to change the date of Crissmas, but would that Zeus would put it into the minds of the Niatirbians to keep Exmas at some other time or not to keep it at all. For Exmas and the Rush distract the minds even of the few from sacred things. And we indeed are glad that men should make merry at Crissmas; but in Exmas there is no merriment left." And when I asked him why they endured the Rush, he replied, "It is, O Stranger, a racket. . . "
In the chapter "Evil and God," Lewis refers to "mellontolatry", or the worship of the future.[5] He considers this to be unproductive IF the future is simply where the world is going, that is, a random walk. He believes that the world can hardly congratulate itself for having "arrived" at a future that is simply a place it has got to, if that is all that it is - Lewis in fact argues that there is more purpose than that, but that some worship that alone.
Lewis also address those skeptical of the Resurrection of Jesus. Even if one interprets the crucifixion of Jesus as a strictly historical event, this doesn't preclude its subsequent mythologization. But neither does it negate its historicity. The claim of CS Lewis is that of the Gospel writers is that Jesus' resurrection is a specific historical event in which humanity finally gains a fulfillment of its ancient desire for eternity:
- The heart of Christianity is a myth which is also a fact. The old myth of the Dying God, without ceasing to be myth, comes down from the heaven of legend and imagination to the earth of history. It happens — at a particular date, in a particular place, followed by definable historical consequences. We pass from a Balder or an Osiris, dying nobody knows when or where, to a historical Person crucified (it is all in order) under Pontius Pilate. By becoming fact it does not cease to be myth: that is the miracle.[6]
Specifics
The final section of the book focuses on specifics. It addresses the logical fallacy Lewis named "Bulverism" as well as issues concerning religious observances such as Christmas. It answers some of the questions non-Christians have about Christianity. These essays are not logically connected; rather, they have been collected together from various sources. Some may have fit into prior sections, but are organised by the collector of the essays as they are - posthumously.
Footnotes
- ^ For those unfamiliar with the English phrase "in the dock": in criminal cases in English courts, the accused is placed in the "dock" — a half height open-topped box.
- ^ To be found near the end of the essay "God in the Dock" (pp. 200–1 in Undeceptions)[incomplete short citation]
- ^ Lewis, C.S. (Hooper. Walter (ed.), London: Geoffrey Bles (1971); some references are to this edition
- ^ Undeceptions pp. 250ff
- ^ Undeceptions p. 2
- ^ Myth became fact, essay published in God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics, C. S. Lewis, Walter Hooper (Editor), Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Reprint edition (October 1994; original copyright 1970 by the Trustees of the Estate of C. S. Lewis) ISBN 0-8028-0868-9