The sermon, Learning in War-Time, by C.S. Lewis brings forth very intriguing questions that are required to be answered by Christians determined to live a biblical lifestyle. He talks to an audience of academics and poses the question if it makes sense to become an academic and a scholar in the setting of a world war. The question is valid as the great powers of the world were in total war. Lewis then translates this question to apply to the Christian life. He asks if we should, “fiddles on the brink of hell”. I believe that C.S. Lewis makes a valid point in his sermon when he says that, “Whether it ought to happen or not, the thing you are recommending is not going to happen.”
The simplified answer Lewis presents is vague, but purposely so. The point of the answer is to tell us that we are in a fallen world and essentially that we are human beings and thus flawed. Whether we are supposed to devote our lives to sacred acts and only such we will surely fail. The answer is not left there, as it is incomplete. He goes on to explain that this is simply a hypothetical, that whether we should or not does not answer if we can or not. The real answer is that God did not intend for us all to become pastors or missionaries, in the sense that we go overseas for conversion. Christians are however to devote everything they do to the glory of God. This is an inclusive statement, not exclusive. Everything we do does not exclude the doings of studying, learning, and experimenting. If this is the case, how might one go about bringing glory to God through these things? Although there is a real urgency when it comes to the harvesting of souls for God, I believe that through learning about the nature of God and seeking truth we can help provide tools for the harvest.
Lewis is a brilliant author and theologian who is respected in his work. He asks questions that really get us thinking. I believe that in this sermon Lewis presents a strong argument to explain why we should still have a time and place for the study of God’s creation.