Session 4 - Free Will and the Shocking Alternative.

Words.

antithetical

antithetical adjective

synonyms OPPOSITE, antipodal, antipodean, contradictory, contrary, converse, counter, diametric, polar, reverse

Merriam-Webster, I. (1996). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate thesaurus. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster.

According to Lewis one need not accept Christianity if their reasoning is against it.

It’s not a good idea to reject Reason if it doesn’t point to God. (There’s more to Reasoning than biological impulses.)

Addison’s Walk - Oxford England - Eric Metaxas.

Best reasoning not antithetical to finding God, but a pointer.

Truth Metaphor & Myth

Lewis’s “bias”.

As Atheist, wouldn’t consider Incarnation Resurrection and Ascension with same intensity as other mystical figures.

The Story of Christ - A True Myth.

The Story of Christ - A True Myth (It happened.)

Someone beyond the universe;

broke into our reality (Bethlehem).

Calvary.

Empty Tomb.

Myth Becomes Fact.

Truth.

Lewis sees Christianity as True.

He says it’s hard to conclude Christianity is true.

It’s much easier to accept it because it is Good.

IF Christianity is False THEN it is of no use.

If Christianity is True THEN it is of Infinite Importance.

Christianity cannot be of “some” use.

Christ is God. Y/N? Accept it or reject it.

Philip Yancey.

Why are things as they are?

IF something is free to be good THEN it is free to be bad.

Free Will - God’s ultimate gift to world.

Mere Christianity (Chapter 3: The Shocking Alternative)

If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having.

Liberty of Humanity,

“a will exerting itself in various affections,” without which the rest of God’s creation would have been of no use.”

Niel M. Alexander. et. al. The Wesley Study Bible NRSV (Nashville: ABINGDON PRESS, 2009) 7

The world is good.

The world is broken.

The world is restored.

God became Small through becoming Christ..

Is parenting worth it?

Was Human Experiment worth it?

Yes. If you value Love.

The world is good.

The world is broken (bent).

The world is restored (redeemed).

Jesus is the reason.

Free Will is the door to making mistakes.

Parable of the Aquarium.

Yancey did everything he could for his fish. But, what did they do when went close? They hid! He couldn’t overcome the distance between them unless he became a fish.

In thinking about Jesus either He is a Liar, Lunatic or Lord, wrote Lewis.

Liar. No.

Paul thought Jesus was a liar until he met Jesus, our greatest Missionary.

Lunatic. No. No one has judged Jesus insane.

Muslims see Jesus as a Prophet.

Jews see Jesus as a great Rabbi.

Buddhists see Jesus as a wise Teacher.

Therefore, Jesus is who He said He was.

Jesus “split history in two.

Jesus to return to earth as Himself (God without disguise.).

To win last battle against evil.

To “finish” plot (Good vs Evil).

Good Friday is Christ’s accomplishment on earth.

God becoming “small” made Good Friday possible.

Jesus is the Son of God.

On the way to the zoo Lewis did not believe Jesus was the Son of God. When he arrived he did believe Jesus was the son of God!

This transformation is possible anywhere-anytime for anyone.

Holy Trinity Church. Headington, England.

Eden come again.

“There is no God” —> “God is God” (Bus) —> “Jesus is the Son of God. (Side-car).

Lewis’s journey thus far.

Christian Behavior (Discipleship). Session 5 next