Man or Rabbit

Man or Rabbit is a Lewis work that I enjoyed thoroughly as it sparked the interest of many ongoing debates in my head.  The question that is the grounds for the article is, “Can someone live a good life without believing in Christianity?” I’ve been in arguments with many of my peers over the years because my instant answer has always been no. I think that Ghandi did some swell things, but would I say that he lived a good life. No, he was out doing good things in the name of a different religion. He wasn’t doing evil, but I wouldn’t say he lived a good life. Now I’m not sure that I am right here, but I do think that following the law of a different religion is not admirable even if it coincides with some Christian Law. Earlier today I went to see Cal Ripken Jr. talk and he said that you have to have not just motivation but the right motivation. I see followers of other religions or no religion as doing good but for the wrong motivations. When this is the case I think people often burn out.

Lewis says that if Christianity is true than it will affect the ability of a person to live their life if they know the knowledge. I think that it helps to motivate people. Christianity offers a full life of happiness in the Joy of one’s salvation.

I try not to be quick to address this question and I don’t think Lewis does either. The interesting question to me is if someone has never heard of God can they still enter the kingdom. In the last battle there is a character who is redeemed because he followed his God in a way that was pleasing to Aslan. I think Lewis says that it’s possible, but he doesn’t know.

I liked how Lewis pointed out that someone who had ruled Christianity out as false wouldn’t ask this question and obviously someone who had never heard of Christ wouldn’t either. It’s those on the doorstep who aren’t sure whether to follow or not and those who are losing interest in the church. But what I see is a person who does want to do good and live a good life. If this is the case then I think Christianity is the obvious choice. I think of people leaving the church for temptation and not for good. I’m not sure how to help people through this question.

Thankfully we have Lewis.