At a recent BBQ, I tossed out a simple question: “Anyone here familiar with C.S. Lewis?” Everyone over 30 looked at me like I had a third eye in the middle of my forehead. A young friend under 30 gave an answer typical of his youth, “He’s the guy who wrote the flick ‘Narnia.'” While the film is based on Lewis’s seven book series The Chronicles of Narnia, Lewis is much more that ‘the guy who wrote the flick ‘Narnia.’ C.S. Lewis is considered one of the prominent Christian writers of the 20th century despite professing atheism as a teenager. In fact, it was his friend J.R.R. Tolkien [Lord of the Rings] who is largely responsible for Lewis’s ultimate conversion to Christianity.
While I do practice Catholicism, and if being a Christian means I believe in Christ and try my inadequate best to live my life like Christ, then I may be a Christian, though probably not a very good one. This blog, however is not exclusively a Christian blog.
With that said, the most important concept that will run consistently through this blog is a lesson I learned from C.S. Lewis’s essay The Case for Christianity. C.S. Lewis tells a simple story … If you invented an automobile and designed it to run on petroleum, it will not work if you attempt to use a different fuel. It may run for a while — even remarkably well — but in the final analysis, it will fail. Like C.S. Lewis, I believe God created the universe and HE is the fuel that powers it. If humankind attempts to fuel the universe by money, power, title, or anything else, it will fail. History attests to that fact. Civilizations rise and fall because each strays from the essential fuel required to power it: God.
Our society today is no different. History does repeat itself.
In May 2011, I attended my grandson’s high school graduation. It was the first graduation I have attended since my youngest son graduated from college in 2008. My grandson’s graduation is the first one I ever attended without a prayer to precede or at least follow the national anthem. The program called for a ‘moment of silence,’ which the principal did announce, but within five seconds, the ‘moment –‘ no more than two blinks of an eye — was over and everyone was invited to take his seat. Sadly, my oldest son told me that no school administrators or staff members attended the baccalaureate ceremony earlier in the week.
Spirituality is a core pillar of this blog. Spirituality is essential to the Vitruvian Man. In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Christ tells us, “So I say to you: … seek and you will find …” If you do not seek, you will not find. Nothing happens by chance. I emphasize that my spiritual strength comes from every place God has put it, from Jews, Christians, Celts, Native Americans, from Everywhere. I personally practice Catholicism, but I proudly wear a necklace inscribed with the Jewish ‘Shema,’ and I start my day with a Native American prayer.
For the Vitruvian Man to positively impact and change the world for the better, he must recognize and empower his day through the strength of God, and not try to substitute that spiritual strength and guidance with anything else. We must face and challenge the realities we confront, but we must teach our children that true strength and empowerment come from a world fueled by the power of God. Have no fear in stating that fact affirmatively, and make your life an example of the strength you receive from your Creator, not from a secular source that is merely an illusion.
«Nothing happens by chance.»
Hello ‘Vitruvian Man’, that’s true nothing happens by chance, do you believe that finding your blog is not mere coincidence?
Yes!
Realy like you being open to spirituality. I will share with you a message!
Is a realy beautiful story of the friendship between J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, also the personal life of C.S. Lewis is an encouraging one because of is acceptance of human condition and above else put Jesus Christ in is heart, instead of is selfishness.
The message of Love, Repentance and Reconciliation that Jesus Christ brings, save us all, but we must repent of our sins and sincerely follow him. Do unto others what do you what others do to you. How amazingly beautiful the redemption of mankind is, free from bondage, free from our failures, the reconciliation with GOD make us complete make our hearts full again, full of joy, peace, love, kindness, forbearance, happiness, to full realization and life purpose.
I hope that you may have a bible with you, if not, get one. The bible have all the answers you seek, will help you in all aspects of your life journey.
«I believe in Christ and try my inadequate best to live my life like Christ»
“Do or do not, there is no try” (yoda in star wars), sorry for my cinematic intrusion,
but Christian life there is no trying, or you do it, or simple you say that are a Christian but you dont do what your mouth says it does.
«If you invented an automobile and designed it to run on petroleum, it will not work if you attempt to use a different fuel. It may run for a while — even remarkably well — but in the final analysis, it will fail. » Like this story, it’s very profound.
Imaging in this case instead of the automobile being the world, the automobile being You.
Did you imagined it?
Excellent
If you put different fuels it may run for a while, but in the end will fail, if God in your life is the fuel and keep doing it. The Greatest Commandment.
Matthew 22
…36″Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ 38″This is the great and foremost commandment.…
Exodus 20
And God spoke all these words:
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before[a] me.
Accepting Jesus in your heart, brings love, peace, joy and many more things, but to have that first repent, turn away from all our sin, not go in the sin no more. Can a Christian sin, yes, but we repent time and time again and return to the Lord. Cast out all false gods in your heart, abide in is word every day, pray to Jesus Christ every day, pray!
«Our society today is no different. History does repeat itself.»
Yes indeed History repeat itself, in society in a all but also in the individual life, and just with Jesus Christ we have a new me, new heart, we born again and become new persons with new desires, desire for love, for good, with hope, compassion, and passion for sharing the Gospel. My sins were nailed at the cross 2000 years ago, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the signal of my resurrection for eternal life, is Jesus the king in your heart?
«seek and you will find»
Yes is true also, seek His Word and you will find that long desired peace of heart.
«Nothing happens by chance. I emphasize that my spiritual strength comes from every place God has put it, from Jews, Christians, Celts, Native Americans, from Everywhere.» The Way, the Truth, and the Life
John 14:6-7
5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 7″If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”…
‘no one comes to the Father but through Me’
‘no one comes to the Father but through Me’
«[…]God, and not try to substitute that spiritual strength and guidance with anything else.» Yes thats true, do not substitute God with anything else, pray to Jesus Christ come into your life, and everything else come into place. Seek His Kingdom first and everything else falls into place.
For conclusion …
«Have no fear in stating that fact affirmatively, and make your life an example of the strength you receive from your Creator [Jesus Christ], not from a secular source that is merely an illusion.»
1 John 5:20
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
It is very nice. I am so happy that there are people who seek the spiritual fulfillment. I am very happy for you.
I love Jesus Christ more than my life. Thank you dear brother. God bless you