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From
The Problem of Evil : Anglican and Baptist Perspectives: MPhil thesis, Bangor University (2003)
Russell Norman Murray
Related post:
C.S. Lewis and Wickedness 2008
Lewis (C.S.) also tackled the view that time cancels sin. He made an interesting point here: The guilt is not washed out by time but by the repentance and the blood of Christ: if we repented these early sins we should remember the price of our forgiveness and be humble. As for the fact of sin, is it probable that anything cancels it? All times are eternally present to God. Lewis (1940)(1996: 54-55). I agree that time cannot cancel sin, and that this is a huge error in thinking in today’s western world. The example of divorce comes to mind. It seems to me that an adulterer who has abandoned his/her mate after enough time often thinks that all should be forgiven, and that "we should stay friends." Although, I totally agree with God’s call for forgiveness, in the case of sin, friendship should be conditioned on things being set right with repentance, as well as forgiveness taking place. For things to be set right then, a wrong has to be admitted and seen for what it is, evil, and not simply overlooked after a certain amount of time. Lewis pointed out that nothing could truly cancel sin. Interesting speculation indeed, as he points out Christ paid for our sins, but sin is sin and will have always have taken place. I think, however, that God, as well as paying for sins with Christ, can also render the power of these sins useless in everlasting existence. Lewis warned against the idea that there is safety in numbers. Just because all people are evil does not make it right for individuals to do evil actions. The idea of speeding in a dangerous fashion comes to mind on a lighter note. In a more serious way, the persecution of different groups by a culture may be overlooked by the majority of the population, for example the Jews in Nazi Germany in Lewis’ era.
LEWIS, C.S. (1961)(1983) A Grief Observed, London, Faber and Faber.
LEWIS, C.S. (1941)(1990) The Screwtape Letters, Uhrichsville, Ohio,
Barbour and Company.
LEWIS, C.S. (1940)(1996) The Problem of Pain, San Francisco, Harper-Collins.
2012
To further comment on my MPhil work, those in Christ have sins forgiven within the new covenant as Jesus is the mediator of this in Hebrew 12: 24, and there is an everlasting inheritance 9: 15. There is the promise of the resurrection from First Corinthians 15. There is promise of judgment after death Hebrews 9:27, and judgment for those in Christ, Second Corinthians 5: 10.
To add to my MPhil work I will state that I still agree that time does not cancel out sin (sins) even as the atoning and resurrection work of Christ is completely theologically and philosophically reasonable and sound. So, although with the eventual restored Kingdom of God from Revelation Chapters 21-22 in everlasting existence, everlasting life, everlasting paradise, in a restored earth and universe, the power of sin will be rendered useless eventually; at this time, the sins persons that follow God do commit, although forgiven within the atoning work of Christ, the atonement, can have a lasting harmful effect on self and others.
To make matters worse as finite beings with lack of omniscience persons can lack knowledge of some of the damage done to others.
Therefore it is wise to seek Godly guidance now, seeking the Holy Spirit, being willing to repent, repenting when needed.
the second!! I wanna live forever in this place!! jajaj Yesterday i was walking in Hide Park, today I am watching a film in my small city jaajaj
ReplyDeleteCheers Dr.Russell Norman :)
I need to visit Greece for the first time, and London again. Enjoy, Valentina.:)
ReplyDeleteLots of people I know Love CS lewis, I enjoyed his story, The Great Divorce, Otherwise, I never really got into him.
ReplyDeleteThank you, sir.
ReplyDeleteI think he has some good insights as an apologist, but I do not agree with his free will/incompatibilist views. I also think he is wordy which is somewhat annoying when one is using exemplars with a thesis.
C.S. Lewis shows off his caustic wit in The Screwtape Letters, here read by John Cleese.
ReplyDeleteIn this video John Cleese (with Michael Palin) defends the Monty Python film "The Life Of Brian" before Anglican clerics.
ReplyDeleteAndy Serkis (of Gollum fame) also voices Uncle Screwtape.
ReplyDeleteIn regard to Cleese from your stated research (verbally) 'Brian' was in 1979 and 'Lewis' was in 1999. I wonder if Cleese had any change in his views on Christianity? They seemed wishy-washy at the best in 1979.
ReplyDeleteSerkis does have the 'radio voice'.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
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It does seem that time is a factor for healing in many human relationships. Waiting for people to admit they were wrong and reconcile is a business that requires extraordinary, even inhuman levels of patience.
ReplyDeleteReasonable. Thank you, sir.
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Needless to say, Venice can be a good time for those with an open mind who would like to see some of the vast diversity that LA has to offer.
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I will certainly approve if you are able to execute a judgment on them before their appointed time.
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ReplyDeleteReasonable.
ReplyDeleteFantastic...
ReplyDeletePart One as the HTML is too big
ReplyDeleteSome very interesting points here with much for us to get our teeth into.
Lewis (C.S.) also tackled the view that time cancels sin. He made an interesting point here: The guilt is not washed out by time but by the repentance and the blood of Christ: if we repented these early sins we should remember the price of our forgiveness and be humble.
As far as I am concerned sin, much like the concept of time, is man manufactured. That doesn’t mean I think immorally or that I believe that human beings are able to commit the most horrendous of deeds unpunished. I don’t. If we do wrong then we should be punished accordingly. To take C.S. Lewis theory that time washes out sin and examine it with a detached eye (not that I am popping my eyeballs out to look at the argument!) you need to accept that the passage of our lives does tend to allow the fading of sins committed to us from our minds. This in effect does agree with Lewis but is surely dependant on the individual? Take those Irish roots of mine. Many Irish will never forgive the criminal acts committed by the English. Their hurt lasts and the one thing hurt always does by nature is turn to anger. That anger fuels rage which in turn perpetuates hate. In this case time does not wash away sin even if that sin was enacted by individuals long dead. There is a Buddhist prayer that I like. It is one that asks forgiveness for wrongs done and to be done by you but also forgives those about to sin against you. I think holding fast with the belief that once sinned against means potential damnation to the sinner only injures the one sinned against. Far better to let go of that hurt.
.
Part Two
ReplyDeleteAs for the fact of sin, is it probable that anything cancels it? All times are eternally present to God. Lewis (1940)(1996: 54-55). I agree that time cannot cancel sin, and that this is a huge error in thinking in today’s western world. The example of divorce comes to mind. It seems to me that an adulterer who has abandoned his/her mate after enough time often thinks that all should be forgiven, and that "we should stay friends." Although, I totally agree with God’s call for forgiveness, in the case of sin, friendship should be conditioned on things being set right with repentance, as well as forgiveness taking place. For things to be set right then, a wrong has to be admitted and seen for what it is, evil, and not simply overlooked after a certain amount of time.
Fair point. If you do wrong you should repent and say sorry to the one you sinned against. If someone doesn’t accept your apology, your act of repentance then I tend to think more fool them. Harbouring such an injury only scratches at the wound. As for divorce…let’s not even go there. No, let’s. Marriage is another man made idea but honesty isn’t. Zappa, of whom I am still fond, and running very much against my personal grain, took many lovers when out on tour. His wife knew and, if not fine with it, accepted the fact that sex is sex and love is something special. Take another man whose work I am fond of, Canadian Dave Sim. His divorce has left him so embittered that his personality has been twisted. It would have been better for him had he been able to forgive, albeit reluctantly his wife’s leaving of him so to preserve his own shape and peace of mind.
Lewis pointed out that nothing could truly cancel sin. Interesting speculation indeed, as he points out Christ paid for our sins, but sin is sin and will have always have taken place. I think, however, that God, as well as paying for sins with Christ, can also render the power of these sins useless in everlasting existence. Lewis warned against the idea that there is safety in numbers. Just because all people are evil does not make it right for individuals to do evil actions. The idea of speeding in a dangerous fashion comes to mind on a lighter note. In a more serious way, the persecution of different groups by a culture may be overlooked by the majority of the population, for example the Jews in Nazi Germany in Lewis’ era.
Again we return to the concept of sin. What precisely is it? Buggery is a sin according to the Church. Personally I would like nothing within one hundred yards of my bottom but then again I am a full bloodied Englishman. Dogs cover their anus with their tails. This isn’t done because they are homophobis but to prevent another dog mounting them and rogering them rigid. This is not an act of canine homosexuality but rather that of power. The dominant dog shags the other because he is boss, king of the pack. Is it a sin? I suppose not to a Christian as dogs are not meant to have souls. (No puns please!) Is killing someone a sin? It rather depends, surely, on the circumstance. You guys over the pond have guns. You shoot anyone stupid enough to break in your homes. That is a sin is it not? (Over here we tend to bore the silly with talk of cricket!)
As for Hitler, as much as I despise him and his nasty Nazis, he was just another man acting in the way men with power or a perverse vision often do.
Phew. I am now knackered so will depart to have a cup of English tea.
Thank you once again, Russell.
ReplyDeleteSin would include, a disobedience of God, a lack of trust, a rejection and a lack of willingness to let God run a finite entities existence. Biblically this ties into separation and the need for atonement and the work of Christ. Biblically, as can be seen in Romans, for example, human nature is fallen, and this is highlighted in the Reformed tradition.