The really memorable stuff

So, I finished the first book and then re-read The Last Battle. Some parts of this book I think of very often.

One part is where the dwarves are in the new world, or at least they're in the other side of the door to the Stable. I wrote about that already earlier. This makes me think of The Screwtape Letters, also by C.S. Lewis. It's been a long time since I've read that but I believe it, too, portrays a kind of "hell" that is a separation from God, not the eternal burning and torture that is so often used.

I know some would consider it heretical, but I just have a hard time thinking that all the people in the world who don't believe in Christ will be tortured and burn in hell for eternity.

Then the other part I often remember I also wrote about earlier, where the soldier serving Tash is accepted by Aslan. Here is a (rather long) quote; the soldier is speaking about his meeting with Aslan in the new world:

But the Glorious One bent down his golden head and touched my forehead with his tongue and said, Son, thou art welcome. But I said, Alas, Lord, I am no son of Thine but the servant of Tash. He answered, Child, all the service thou hast done to Tash, I account as service done to me. Then by reason of my great desire for wisdom and understanding, I overcame my fear and questioned the Glorious One and said, Lord, is it then true, as the Ape said, that thou and Tash are one? The Lion growled so that the earth shook (but his wrath was not against me) and said. It is false. Not because he and I are one, but because we are opposites, I take to me the services which thou hast done to him, for I and he are of such different kinds that no service which is vile can be done to me, and none which is not vile can be done to him. Therefore, if any many swear by Tash and keep his oath for the oath's sake, it is by me he has truly sworn, though he know it not, and it is I who reward him... I said, Lord, thou knowest how much I understand. But I said also (for the truth constrained me), Yes, I have been seeking Tash all my days. Beloved, said the Glorious One, unless thy desire had been for me thou wouldst not have sought so long and so truly. For all find what they truly seek.

I love that. I love it the thought that God takes for his own those who worship him but don't know it. Who knows if it's right -- how can we know until we get to heaven? -- but I like to think that many people who are worshiping other gods are worshiping the one God but don't know it. There are so many good people who truly believe in their own system of faith, whatever that is, and who serve mankind so well. How can it be that they will all be tortured and in agony for eternity? And thinking this doesn't mean you therefore think that all gods are the same.

Our church council read a book called A New Kind of Christian by Brian McLaren. McLaren quotes the same passage as I did. Before quoting it he writes:

Imagine that you have just died and passed through the doorway of death. And you enter heaven. And it is a place of intense brightness, a place fragrant with goodness, a place alive with love... [lengthy description of a wonderful, perfect place]. OK, do you have that picture? Think about how you sould feel upon entering that place.

OK. Now I want you to imagine that someone has walked beside you through that doorway of death. And that person has lived his life cramped in hatred and fear, tight in guilt and greed, ingrown in lust and selfishness. He has spent every day of his life complaining and being bitter and blaming others and being ungrateful... an expert at lying and cheating... proud, arrogant, unwilling to admit he is wrong... These aren't just the behaviors he has practiced, these are the features of the person he has become. Now, how would that person feel?

Could it be that the very light that seems beautiful to you would seem blinding to him? Could the very warmth of the love of that place that to is so perfect seem to him horrible? Could the acceptance and love and trust and openness that welcome you seem to him disgusting, weak, terrifying, insipid, or repulsive? Sometimes I wonder if we have it all wrong. Maybe it's not that there are two places beyond the door of death, heaven and hell. Sometimes I wonder if hell is just what heaven feels like for those who haven't learned in this life what this life is intended to teach. I believe with all my heart that God is not willing for even one person to miss out on the joys and glories of heaven. I believe with all my heart if there is any way for individuals to be rescued from their wrong choices in this life, I believe they will be rescued and redeemed...

But, I must tell you, I don't think we are ever in a position to judge others. After all, Jesus said that many who are seen as last here will be first there, and many who are first here will be last there. So I don't think it's our business to prognosticate the eternal destines of anyone else, as a story from C.S. Lewis makes clear.

And he goes on with the passage from the soldier.

There's also Puzzle the donkey, who impersonates Aslan and sins greviously. Even though he's persuaded to do it by the Ape, his actions cause suffering and death for many. On the other side of the door, Puzzle is ashamed of what he's done, and afraid to meet Aslan. When he does meet Aslon, Puzzle is "the very first person whom Aslan called to him", and Aslan whispers to him. We don't know what words he said but you see that Aslan is restored and forgiven. I love that, too. He's forgiven after death.