“The real son of God is at your side. He is beginning to turn you into the same kind of thing as Himself … to turn the tin soldier into a live man. The part of you that does not like it … is the part that is still tin.” ~C. S. Lewis
“Beloved, we are now the children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.” ~1 John 3:2
I have been reading CS Lewis’s apologetic books/speeches since I was 18 years old. I am now 78 and still refer to them sometimes. I highly recommend books like MERE CHRISTIANITY to anyone who goes through doubts.
He turns a tin man into a solider what does he turn a woman into? Men were crucified on the Cross where is the Woman in that picture. Man was created from the dirt of the earth, Woman (Hava) was made living and breathing from the side of man.
C.S. Lewis is not referring specifically to males. He uses the term “man” here to represent persons of either or both genders, as did virtually all English language writers (including women) until recent decades.
By logic man is defined as gender fluid or gender neutral? In the romantic languages there are Male gender words, female gender words and gender neutral words that would include both Male and female as a group.
C.S. Lewis never gets old. He and Quaker Elton Trueblood were two pivotal voices that led to my conversion experience ‘way back in 1974. And of course, that changed everything. And there is still tin.
Yes, the un-tinning process takes a lifetime, doesn’t it?
You have now put in my mind that I need to spend some time reading C. S. Lewis book, any suggestions on where to start?
Non-fiction: Mere Christianity is a great place to start, but so are many of his other essay collections. Fiction: The Chronicles of Narnia (7 short books) are his best known works, but I’m also a big fan of his science fictions trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength).
Excellent. Love C.S. Lewis. Reminiscent of “The Velveteen Rabbit” becoming real.
Hadn’t thought of that, Russ, but yes, it is!
Authors from the past have been trying to reveal the Truth and what is real for Centuries. I am not understanding why so many have needed to reject the notion. You keep on at sending the message.
I love the tin man analogy.
I love this!
What CS Lewis book did this come from?
Mere Christianity.
Good to hear from you, Terri!