If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.
C. S. Lewis
This Lewis quote brings to mind a passage penned by Catholic philosopher Peter Kreeft (who himself happens to hold a major interest in Lewis):
ReplyDelete"People think heaven is escapist because they fear that thinking about heaven will distract us from living well here and now. It is exactly the opposite, and the lives of the saints and our Lord himself prove it. Those who truly love heaven will do the most for earth. It's easy to see why. Those who love the homeland best work the hardest in the colonies to make them resemble the homeland. 'Thy kingdom come. .. on earth as it is in heaven.'"
It also reminds me of the words of Christ; "For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, that also which he seemeth to have shall be taken away." (Matthew 25:29, Douay Rheims Translation)
ReplyDeleteVic, please provide a reference for this quote from Lewis. I can't find it.
ReplyDeleteSaving Victor some time.
ReplyDeleteMere Christianity, page 134, location 1729 (Kindle edition)
The paperback book. That's what I have. you didn't even mention which chapter it was in.
ReplyDeleteBook 3, Chapter 10: Hope (4th sentence)
ReplyDeleteThanks.
ReplyDelete