The theory of evolution was largely in the public’s eye at the time of C.S. Lewis’s writings. If it is necessary to give a title, he could be described as a “theistic evolutionist,” which “left open the possibility for Lewis of accepting certain aspects of evolution into his theology.”[1] Yet, rather than focus on these hot-button issues, Lewis chose to focus his studies and stories on more important religious questions in order to probe the reader to thought.
“Whether the biological theory of evolution
is right or wrong was irrelevant to Lewis.
If it were found to be wrong or right, either way, it would have had no
effect on Lewis’s Christianity.”[2]
Proving evolution correct or incorrect was
not his goal, which is a strong testament to the character of Lewis. Often people become so invested in a
particular topic that they are unable to release the hold until a strong
argument has been made. Lewis took a
different approach understanding “the Genesis account to be inspired”[3]
and more in the form of a folk tale than historical fact. He had no problem “accepting the idea that
humanity is in the process of evolution, though he would prefer to say that
humanity is in the process of being created.”[4] This statement implies that Lewis assumed there
was a Creator who is continually involved in the process of humanity.
Lewis
was also accepting of the fact that it is possible, “and in no conflict with
the Bible, that God raised one of the primates eventually to become
human.” While this may shock many of his
followers, his argument was reached through Genesis 2:7 which states: “The Lord
God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (NIV). It is clear that man is made from something
else.
Lewis took this notion a step further,
however, and explained that the reason it did not shake his faith was because
man is “called to be or raised to be something more than an animal.”[5] This exemplifies that Lewis had no
difficulties with the biology of evolution.
He merely understood that there was a reason for such evolution and that
men were not meant to be part of the animal kingdom. He believed the theological implications far
outweighed the scientific suggestions in regards to evolution.
Though
there are a number of stances that can be indicated through his writings, C.S.
Lewis never expressed a definite stance one way or the other. He had “no quarrel with true science,” just a
“number of reservations.”[6] He believed it was quite possible for
evolution to occur and could even back it up scripturally, but never allowed
the science to overtake his belief system.
He believed “we must be cautious of building our case for Creation on
any current scientific theory, for those theories change as quickly as the
shifting sands.”[7] Even though we rely on scientists to give us
the correct information, much of that can be tainted. It is the intentions behind such information
that should be investigated.
We see this enacted through Lewis’s portrayal of
magicians (like Uncle Andrew) as scientists who always focus on their own
outcome, and the Creator (like Aslan) who always keeps his subjects in mind
when creating. Lewis understood that
“everything God has made has some likeness to Himself”[8]
and therefore should not be exploited.
All beings are subject to Him and to one another and anything in
contradiction to that is in conflict with the Creator.
The
contradiction of Nature is unveiled through the depiction of Science, which is
often linked with Reason. In Narnia, he depicts
those who attempt to manipulate nature as evil.
Jadis and Uncle Andrew, for example, are so consumed with power that
they have no regard for the creation they are trying to control. But it is important to question, “In what
sense is Man the possessor of increasing power over Nature?”[9] Might there be a limit to this power? After all, Lewis wrote in Abolition of Man how “the stars lost
their divinity as astronomy developed” and when an object is treated as “an
artificial abstraction…something of its reality has been lost.”[10]
This attempt at control over nature is an
ultimate loss of the essence of nature.
Uncle Andrew could not even see the significance of talking animals
because he did not appreciate the oddities that come along with nature. He wanted to control everything according to his
own knowledge. Lewis stated that “Reason
can invade Nature to take prisoners”[11]
which is displayed in the creation of the villains’ pursuit in the stories of
Narnia.
[1] Will Vaus, Mere Theology: a Guide to the
Thought of C.s. Lewis (Downers
Grove, Ill.: IVP Academic, 2004), 62.
[2]
Ibid, 69.
[3]
Ibid, 62.
[4]
Ibid, 68-9.
[5]
Ibid, 66.
[6]
Ibid, 67.
[7]
Ibid, 67.
[8]
C. S. Lewis, Mere
Christianity, 1st Touchstone Ed ed. (New York, NY: Touchstone Books, 1996),
139.
[9]
C. S. Lewis, The
Abolition of Man: or Reflections On Education with Special Reference to the
Teaching of English in the Upper Forms of Schools, 1st Touchstone Ed. (New
York: Touchstone Books, 1996), 66.
[10]
Ibid, 79.
[11]
C. S. Lewis, Miracles:
a Preliminary Study, 1st Touchstone Ed ed. (New York, New York: Touchstone
Books, 1996), 37.
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