As a young child, Lewis’s mother got cancer and died a slow painful death. He prayed to God (with a rather simple faith) to heal her. Even after she died he prayed for a miracle. None came.
Looking back, he observed:
The interesting thing is that my disappointment produced no results beyond itself. The thing hadn’t worked, but I was used to things not working, and I thought no more about it. I think the truth is that the belief into which I had hypnotized myself was itself too irrelgious for its failure to caue any religious revolution. I had approached God, or my idea of God, without love, without awe, even without fear. He was, in my mental picture of this miracle, to appear neither as Savior or as Judge, but merely as a magician; and when He had done what was required of Him I supposed He would simply – well, go away. It never crossed my mind that the tremendous contact which I solicited should have any consequences beyond restoring the status quo. I imagine that a “faith” of this kind is often generated in children and that its disappointment is of no religious importance; just as the things believed in, if they could happen and be only as the child pictures them, would be of no religious importance either.
-C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy, p.21
This is curious. Our simple faith as children is often spoken of as far superior to our mixed and complicated faith as adults. Even Jesus told us we must become as little children. I wonder though, if the faith children have is often (no always of course) similar to what Lewis is describing here: remarkably shallow. So much so that when it is dashed against the rocks, it means little.
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May 24th, 2009 at 7:03 AM
I’ve just started reading your blog (it may take forever to catch-up), and I’m thoroughly enjoying it.
This post addresses something that has bothered me for quite some time. I’ve long felt that too many Xians — upon reading the admonitions to become as little children — impose their own modern sentimental ideas about chidren onto the text. From what I’ve gathered (and please correct me if I’m wrong), the people of the first century didn’t tend to view children that way. That Jesus meant was to come as one who was powerless, dependent, and had no rights to claim.
Also, here’s a George MacDonald quote you might like:
“There is a childhood into which we have to grow,
just as there is a childhood which we must leave behind;
a childlikeness which is the highest gain of humanity,
and a childishness from which but few of those
who are counted the wisest among men have freed themselves,
in their imagined progress towards the reality of things.”
– George Macdonald
May 24th, 2009 at 7:05 AM
*sigh* Please forgive the typos in my previous comment.
May 25th, 2009 at 8:39 PM
I think you’re right on about us projecting our modern ideas about children back on the phrase as it appears in scripture.
Love the MacDonald quote. I think there is a lot more to be said about this whole subject.
May 25th, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Oh geesh. This blog is so full of typos. You’re in good company.