In his timeless writings C. S. Lewis cautioned us about the battle between faith and reason versus emotion and imagination that frequently rages in our hearts and minds. He wisely warned that intense emotions can destroy our faith in what we already know to be true. Lewis counseled us that teaching our moods “where they get off” was a necessary virtue of being a good Christian or even a “sound atheist.”
In our progressive mainstream culture where rampant emotionalism and subjective feelings have been substituted for reason, logic, and common sense, his wisdom is more relevant and applicable than ever.
Key Points:
- Battle is between faith and reason on one side and emotion and imagination on the other.
- Emotions can destroy your faith in what you really know to be true.
- Faith… is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods.
- For moods will change, whatever view your reason takes.
- Necessary virtue: unless you teach your moods “where they get off,” you can never be either a sound Christian or even a sound atheist.
- We have to be continually reminded of what we believe. [Read more…]