Deep Dive into The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis - Human Wickedness

C. S. Lewis argues that modern individuals face significant obstacles in recognizing their own wickedness and the concept of sin, a stark contrast to the audiences of the apostles who possessed a fundamental awareness of deserving divine anger. This diminished sense of sin stems from several interconnected factors.Firstly, there's an overemphasis on "kindness" as the primary, almost sole, virtue, leading to a lopsided ethical understanding where other crucial virtues like temperance, chastity, and humility are neglected. People tend to equate goodness with simply not being cruel and easily attribute kindness to themselves without genuine self-sacrifice. This narrow focus obscures a broader understanding of human failings.Secondly, the popular interpretation of psychoanalysis has devalued the sense of shame, which Lewis considers a vital moral compass. The encouragement to "get things out into the open" without necessarily focusing on self-humiliation undermines the recognition of inherent wrongness in certain behaviors.Lewis also refutes the idea of "safety in numbers," arguing that the widespread nature of a behavior does not excuse its badness. He introduces the analogy of "local pockets of evil," suggesting that entire societies, or even humanity as a whole, might operate under lowered moral standards. The existence of individuals across history who uphold higher ethical principles indicates a universal standard beyond these "pockets."Recognizing individual corruption is essential for understanding Christianity, as Christ's message presupposes humanity's fallen state. Without this awareness, the need for salvation and the significance of Christ's sacrifice become incomprehensible, potentially leading to resentment towards God's standards. Ultimately, acknowledging our own wickedness allows us to understand that God's "wrath" is not arbitrary but a natural consequence of His goodness in the face of genuine moral failing and is a necessary step towards true humility and spiritual growth.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianPatreon: patreon.com/edi_reformed