C.S. Lewis (Not Rob Bell) on Eternity and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived

Recently, with the dust up over Rob Bell's new book, Love Wins, and his statements about heaven, hell, and the fate that awaits every person who ever lived, there has been a push to say that C.S. Lewis would have basically agreed with Bell on his perspective that eventually, almost everyone will get in to heaven because, well, love wins. One, I haven't read Bell's book, so I don't know exactly what he says on the subject. I have better things to do than to bash Rob Bell. Two, I haven't read everything that Lewis says on the subject, so I don't fully know if the two agree or not, but when I read statements from Lewis like the one following, I am at least aware of his declared need for a choice in this life - not after this life.  It matters how we live now and it matters what we do with Jesus now. Will we believe in Him and walk in His way, or will we go our own way, and then hope that everything will work out and we will get another chance?  Lewis clearly states in Mere Chrstianity that we must worship Christ now, not later:

Why is God landing in this enemy-occupied world in disguise and starting a sort of secret society to undermine the devil? Why is He not landing in force, invading it? Is it that He is not strong enough? Well, Christians think He is going to land in force; we do not know when. But we can guess why He is delaying. He wants to give us the chance of joining His side freely. I do not suppose you and I would have though much of a Frenchman who waited till the Allies were marching into Germany and then announced he was on our side. God will invade. But I wonder whether people who ask God to interfere openly and directly in our world quite realise what it will be like when He does. When that happens, it is the end of the world. When the author walks on to the stage the play is over. God is going to invade, all right: but what is the good of saying you are on His side then, when you see the whole natural universe melting away like a dream and something else - something it never entered your head to conceive - comes crasing in; something so beautiful to some of us and so terrible to others that none of us will have any choice left? For this time it will be God without disguise; something so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistible love or irresistible horror into every creature. It will be too late then to choose your side. There is no use saying you choose to lie down when it has become impossible to stand up. That will not be the time for choosing: it will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen, whether we realised it before or not. Now, today, this moment, is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It will not last forever. We must take it or leave it.

Pretty strong words from someone who is being called upon as support for Bell's position. I understand that Lewis' position was not simplistic and that he embraced some views that I might not fully agree with on this subject. But, here, I believe that Lewis is dead on. It makes perfect sense to me, from not only a Biblical perspective, but also from a justice and mercy perspective, that God gives us a chance in this life to respond to His gracious offer of salvation in Christ. I am not a determinist or a fatalist. I do believe in free will and I do believe that salvation is all of God and none of us (I also believe in God's sovereignty, but I will save how all of that comes together for another post - or, perhaps I will leave it to the realm of mystery where it belongs). But, we are called upon to respond and God is graciously giving us that opportunity. Will we respond to God?  Will we awaken to the eternal life that He offers us, or will be begin and continue down a path of eternal death and separation from God?

It seems that the way that we respond to that question is probably the most important thing about our lives on this planet for however long we have here.

Comments

[Igor Pashchuk]

The awesome reality is that God ultimately gives us what we want. If I want Him, I get Him. If I want something else, then I don't want to be in heaven -- after all, heaven is all about Him, and why would I want to spend eternity worshipping Him -- a very boring prospect at best and likely a highly offensive one. God, in His mercy and grace, would not force me into heaven but give me what I want instead (plus, there are no rebels in heaven, so it works out for everyone). It is then that the agony will consummate: knowing that what I've sought after all my life indeed are empty cisterns and the One I hated is the Fountain of Life.

[downshoredrift]

Absolutely, Igor. I hope that you and your family are doing well! You just explained the gist of what I have considered Lewis view on this to be - we will get exactly what we desire. If we want to go our own way apart from God, we will get that.
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[tonya]

Having not read Rob's book either (and really not caring to), I may be missing the point entirely... But what I want to hear more people talk about is not what Rob Bell says nor even what CS Lewis says (though I love Lewis!), but what does God's Word say about those who perish apart from Him? That's really the only opinion that truly counts. And really it doesn't matter if God chooses us or we choose Him (if it did, He would have plainly told us); the most important thing is what one does at the crossroad. Those that hear and believe are saved, and those who have heard must be diligent about sharing the good news with others. What more do we need to know? I love how Paul says that he knew was determined to "know" nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Love it!

[downshoredrift]

Tonya, I brought this up because many are using CS Lewis (who is respected by many Evangelicals) to support Bell, who is being condemned for his book. My point is just that Lewis, whatever else he says on the subject, is at least saying that how we respond to Jesus in this life really matters. In that, he is agreeing with what you are saying here. We all end up conversing with other believers, either living or dead, on Biblical issues, and none of us reads Scripture in a vacuum. But, I agree wholeheartedly with you that we need to look at what the Scriptures say and you give a good word there. I am actually thinking of doing a summer sermon series on heaven, hell, and how eternity affects us now. So, I am working through some of this.
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[Tom Hicks]

Thanks for the thoughts Alan! Question. When you said, "that God gives us a chance in this life to respond to His gracious offer of salvation in Christ," do you mean that He has given everyone who has ever lived a chance to choose Christ and be saved?

[downshoredrift]

Thanks for the clarifying question, Tom. No, I am talking about through the gospel. God has been gracious to provide a way through Christ and he calls us to proclaim the Good News and for people everywhere to repent.
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[Tom Hicks]

I was pretty sure you wouldn't have said yes. I only asked since Lewis wasn't always so clear. From The Last Battle:

"But I said, Alas, Lord, I am no son of Thine but the servant of Tash. He answered, Child, all the service thaou hast done to Tash, I account as service done to me. Then by reason of my great desire for wisdom and understanding, I overcame my fear and questioned the Glorious One and said, Lord, is it then true... that thou and Tash are one? The Lion growled so that the earth shook (but his wrath was not against me) and said, It is false. Not because he and I are one, but because we are opposites, I take to me the services which that hast done to him, for I and he ar of such different kinds that no service which is vile can be done to me, and none which is not vile can be done to him. Therefore if any man swear by Tash and keep his oath for the oath's sake, it is by me that he has truly sworn, though he know it not, and it is I who reward him. And if any man do a cruelty in my name, then though he says the name Aslan, it is Tash whom he serves and by Tash his deed is accepted. . . . But I said also (for the truth constrained me), Yes I have been seeking Tash all my days. Beloved, said the Glorious One, unless thy desire had been for me thou wouldst not have sought so long and so truly. For all find what they truly seek."

[Summer Whatley]

As I read this blog, I am struck with a sobering reality: Life just isn't about me and my life. As a 21st century American, I've never bowed to a king. I don't know what it is to serve and worship someone to the extent that I would plan my future around their pleasure. As wonderful as our God is, I wish I had an excuse from serving Him, simply because He is so holy and demanding--gently demanding--but demanding, still.