A dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience which is not slavery.
C. S. LewisRead
You must make your choice: either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of making a definitive choice about Jesus' identity, arguing against the notion of viewing him merely as a great moral teacher.
C. S. Lewis argues that one cannot simply regard Jesus as a wise teacher without acknowledging his divine claims. According to Lewis, Jesus presents a compelling choice: either accept him as the Son of God or dismiss him as a madman or worse, emphasizing that neutrality or diluted views of his identity are not legitimate options. This assertion challenges individuals to confront their beliefs regarding Jesus seriously and to recognize the implications of his teachings.
Themes
JesusChoiceIdentityFaithBelief
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon discussing faith, one could use this quote to provoke thought about who Jesus is to each individual.
More from C. S. Lewis
All quotes →I enjoyed my breakfast this morning, and I think that was a good thing and do not think it was condemned by God. But I do not think myself a good man for enjoying it.
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Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.
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Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved.
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I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. It doesn't change God - it changes me.
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The instrument through which you see God is your whole self. And if a man's self is not kept clean and bright, his glimpse of God will be blurred
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