Back to series
August 2006
Why should a disciple of Jesus Christ seek to be educated about such matters as history, worldview, cultural analysis, and apologetics? Isn’t this sort of study just intellectualism that has little to do with the real business of living for God in the here and now of today’s world? These are questions one hears from time to time among believers.
C.S. Lewis offers some helpful perspective on both of these questions:
If all the world were Christian it might not matter if all the world were uneducated. But, as it is, a cultural life will exist outside the Church whether it exists inside or not. To be ignorant and simple now—not to be able to meet the enemies on their own ground—would be to throw down our weapons, and to betray our uneducated brethren who have, under God, no defense but us against the intellectual attacks of the heathen. Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered. The cool intellect must work not only against the cool intellect on the other side, but against the muddy heathen mysticisms which deny intellect altogether. Most of all, perhaps, we need intimate knowledge of the past. Not that the past has any magic about it, but because we cannot study the future, and yet need something to set against the present, to remind us that the basic assumptions have been quite different in different periods and that much of what seems certain to the uneducated is merely temporary fashion.1
While the study of history, worldview, cultural analysis, and apologetics can be an intellectual hobby far removed from the issues of daily life, it need not be so. And it will not be so if we approach it in humility as a service to God and our neighbor. Those who have the interest and ability to engage with these subjects are able to offer the fruit of their efforts to help others in the body of Christ who lack the interest, education, or bent of mind to do such study. They also enhance their ability to present God’s truth in a credible, helpful way to thoughtful, questioning people who are searching for him.
Such help is sorely needed in the postmodern climate of our day. May God grant that those who are able and willing will rise to the occasion and consecrate their minds and hearts to serving him and their neighbor through understanding, articulating, defending, and living their faith in Christ in public and personal life.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect….
1 PETER 3.15 (NIV)
1 C.S. Lewis, “Learning in War-Time,” The Weight of Glory (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2001), p. 58.
COPYRIGHT: This publication is published by C.S. Lewis Institute; 8001 Braddock Road, Suite 301; Springfield, VA 22151. Portions of the publication may be reproduced for noncommercial, local church or ministry use without prior permission. Electronic copies of the PDF files may be duplicated and transmitted via e-mail for personal and church use. Articles may not be modified without prior written permission of the Institute. For questions, contact the Institute: 703.914.5602 or email us.
-
Recent Podcasts
Reasons for God – Dr. Kathleen Noller’s Story
by Jana Harmon, Kathleen Noller on December 6, 2024Kathleen grew up in a loving, immigrant household...Read More
-
The Road Back – Trevor Lancon’s Story
by Trevor Lancon, Jana Harmon on November 15, 2024
-
From Politics to Pampers
by Michelle Morgan Knott, Aimee Riegert on November 15, 2024
-
Recent Publications
How Artists and Their Art Can Point Us to the Creator
by Russ Ramsey on December 2, 2024"... if you say that you want to...Read More
-
Will You Be Ready?
by Thomas A. Tarrants on October 23, 2024
-
Should Christians Be Involved with Politics?
by Kerry A. Knott on October 1, 2024
0
All Booked
0.00
All Booked
0.00
All Booked
23169
ADVENT CALENDAR: The Amazing Prophecies Fulfilled by the Birth of Jesus Christ
https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/?event=advent-calendar-the-amazing-prophecies-fulfilled-by-the-birth-of-jesus-christ&event_date=2024-12-08®=1
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr
2024-12-08
Next coming event
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
ADVENT CALENDAR: The Amazing Prophecies Fulfilled by the Birth of Jesus Christ
On December 8, 2024 at 6:00 amSpeakers
C.S. Lewis Institute
Author
Team Members
C.S. Lewis Institute
Author
C.S. Lewis Institute, in the legacy of C.S. Lewis, works to develop wholehearted disciples of Jesus Christ who will articulate, defend, share, and live their faith in personal and public life. Founded in 1976 by Dr. James Houston and James R. Hiskey, the Institute provides leading teachers who address important issues of the day from the perspective of Biblical orthodoxy, while also providing discipleship for individuals in small groups.