Friday, July 10- Mere3.1-3

Chapter 1
-In talking about morality we would do good to follow Lewis's idea that morals are there to help the human machine run properly. As people we are very much like the students who run the machine in the way we think to be natural. In time we would inevitably find that the way we run the machine would only bring it to ruin. It might work for a time as such, but eventually it would crumble. That is how much of our own morality is.
-Lewis uses the ship illustration to teach 3 things: 1)that morality effects how we relate to on another 2) morality effects the inner workings of ourselves 3) morality has to do with our purpose or direction in life. These 3 things are hopelessly intertwined.

Chapter 2
-In the section on prudence Lewis talks about Christianity being an education in itself. This seems very true for the believer that properly takes up the cross and follows Christ diligently. There are far to many lazy Christians in the world. We must be more responsible for this decision that we make. That doesn't mean that everyone has to become so Bible scholar or seminary student, but everyone should be growing in their knowledge and understanding of the word and how to apply it.
-Temperance is a concept that is often fought over in the hearts of men. Some will leave it to one extreme and avoid every pleasure, while others will go to the other extreme and seek pleasure to no end justifying every step. It takes a good deal of wisdom for each individual to know what lengths are good for them to go. Even the wisdom of outside help. Churches often throw blanket policies over people to protect them, but sometimes this can do more harm then good.

Chapter 3
-The job of any great moral teacher is to keep bringing people back time and time again to old simple principles. This is a great thing to think about. So many times I feel as though people will be bored with talking about the same old thing over and over, but I suppose this is what people need.
-The job of social morality is really on the laymen. I really believe this is true. It's to often that the congregation look to the clergy and staff to change the world. If someone isn't getting saved, or some ministry isn't happening then it must be the clergy's fault. But really the work of morality must begin with the people who are really at the front lines. The clergy can lead and direct, but the hands and feet that make things happen are really the people themselves.