Emeth's Path

[C. J.]

A Tarkaan that doesn't believe in Aslan ends up being saved by him? How? He is allowed to be with Aslan after believing whole-heartedly in Tash who is an evil being.

I believe I do know the answer to this myself but I was curious if anyone else had a similar or interesting idea about this.

[C. J.]

Good answer Crystal.

[Michael S.]

This has always bothered me. It's the once instance I know of in which I strongly disagree with C. S. Lewis.

From the Bible: Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

According to the Bible, trying to be a good person does not give you eternal salvation. If someone believes only in a false god and does not accept the truth of Christ's death and ressurection, his atonement for our sins, then that person is not assured of their salvation. If they were, then what would be the point of teaching and spreading Christianity? Otherwise, people could just try to be good and believe in anything at all.

I love C.S. Lewis. He is actually my favorite author and from his theology books that I've read, I think i mostly agree with him, but for this one instance in an otherwise great allegory, he was simple wrong as far as I can tell. would love to hear a better explanation of how he could believ this.

[C. J.]

I believe what happened was that Emeth was seeking the truth. No matter what it was that he believed in he was seeking the truth (he also noticed that people that were supposedly believing in Tash were not real believers and some mocked him or it. But aside from that). And it says in God's word that those who seek Him will find Him.

I believe that is what Emeth's change is all about.

[Michael S.]

I sort of see what you're saying about seeking the truth. But here's my question:

If a person spends their life following, believing in and worshiping Buddha or Vishnu or some other false god, but they're a really good follower of that false god,and they were "seeking" to worship a "good god" then does God's word say that that person will be "granted salvation?

I'm definitely not saying that a person cannot experience a genuine change and acceptance of Christ in the last minutes of their life on earth. They certainly can, as shown by the man on the cross next to Christ.

[C. J.]

Yeah there is some complication in that aspect of the story.

But it is good to note that the man does realize how he was wrong in what he believed in and even said that he should not have Aslan's mercy.

Maybe this is just that. Just shows the mercy of Aslan (or Christ).

[C. J.]

Thanks for your comment Michael.

It expanded the discussion. Your comment inspired the one that followed it. Made me think more about the book.

[Michael S.]

glad to contribute. These books hold a very special place in my heart and have since childhood.

[[deleted user]]

This is an important question. But it is one that C.S. Lewis was answered incorrectly. If good intentions or good deeds are going to get us to heaven then why did Jesus bother to die? " . . . if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose." (Galatians 2:21) He said He was the way the truth and the life and that no one came to the Father except through Him. And it is impossible to do truly good and righteous deeds if you are professing allegiance to something evil. I admire C.S. Lewis in other areas, but this view presented in The Last Battle muddles the issue of true faith and questions the necessity of Jesus' tremendous sacrifice. So, I can't agree with him on this.

[Michael S.]

Verity, I completely agree.