C.S. Lewis makes an important distinction of viewpoint in his essay "Meditations in a Toolshed." He opines that there are two ways of perception: at and along. Looking at something involves an external, detached point of view, whereas looking along something relies on an internal, attached viewpoint. Lewis goes on to say how we cannot be prejudiced against either method, but rather, we are to look at each example and decide whether looking at or looking along reveals the "truer" or "more valid" experience. And then, of course, we must have the humility to admit that we do not have the capability to know everything; we must be willing to admit that for some examples, such as that of being in love, we do now know which viewpoint is reality. Regardless, we must be able to look both at and along if we are to avoid narrow-mindedness.
From my observations, today's academic society (and Lewis' too, apparently, as he was denied full professorship at Oxford University because of his faith) relies on looking at everything. This is especially true of religion; most scholars take a detached point of view when looking at the topic of faith, so that they can make objective observations. As Christians, however, we know that, in order to understand Christianity, looking along is integral. Looking at will result in no relationship with Jesus Christ, which is the crux of our faith. Additionally, prayer would be meaningless.
When then, is the proper time to look at our Christian faith? One time is when we are examining it. Once in a while, we ought to take a step back and analyze how we have been living with respect to what the Bible says about how we should be living. Another time is when we are witnessing to others. Those who are not Christians look at our faith and along their own beliefs. In order to connect with others, we must have the ability to detach ourselves (both temporarily and partially, of course) from our own beliefs as well as look along theirs, to an extent. We must understand those to whom we witness if they are to understand us.
As far as looking at and along nonreligious issues, the correct way will vary. One example Lewis gives in "Meditations" is a child with a broken doll who feels as though she has lost a friend. Of course, we know she hasn't really lost a friend, but a doll, and looking only along would give us a false sense of reality. However, looking partially along even in this case is useful in understanding the child's pain. In other cases, looking at will get us into trouble. After all, a sole reliance on looking at is meaningless, as we can forever take steps back. All thought can be analyzed by someone else. The analysis of this someone else can be analyzed as well. There is no end to it.
The correct way, I believe, to deal with these two viewpoints is to have the ability to use both. Having the ability to use only one will engender narrow-mindedness. We must decide for each case which perspective reveals the "truer" reality, or we must humbly decide that we cannot know: both perspectives are needed.
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I like that you mentioned that even though looking "at" Christianity may be more objective, it takes looking "along" in order to fully understand it. The ability to look both along another person's faith for a moment is incredibly valuable, and can really bring about true understanding. I agree that while not every situation calls for using both views, the ability to use both is vital.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned in your opening paragraph and later in your closing paragraph that Lewis encourages us to take an example and pick whether looking at or along will provide a truer or more valid experience. I'm not entirely sure that the decision is necessary, but rather that we are naturally inclined in most situations to look EITHER at or along. In order to experience and understand any such example to its fullest, it requires a moment, however briefly, in which the person steps out of one perspective and into another.
ReplyDeleteCharis,
ReplyDeleteI would concur that "in order to experience and understand any such example to its fullest", we must look from both perspectives. However, understanding an experience does not mean admiting that it is true. As Christians, we believe in an ultimate Truth. One example where we must pick the perspective is what Lewis calls "the savage's dance to Nyonga". While we must look along in order to understand why "the savage" does the dance, we must ultimately choose to look only at this event, because as Christians, we do not believe Nyonga sends rain because of a ritual dance. Another example is that of pain. We must, after looking from both perspectives, choose to look along someone else's pain because, as Christians, we are taught to weep with those who weep.