Lewis’ Jesus Ultimatum

In the April 2008 issue of First Things, there is much ink spilled over Meir Soloveichik’s “No Friend in Jesus,” featured in the January 2008 issue of the same journal.  Of note to me is how much the discussion revolves around C.S. Lewis’ ultimatum about Jesus, that is, either He was God, a lunatic, or a liar.  Several of the letters attempt to downplay this ultimatum (I do not mean to include Fr. Oakes’ letter in this group).  One writer says, “Lewis and other writers… were calling attention to the seriousness of the issue at stake – not giving ultimatums to non-Christians.”  It seems to me, though, that the issue cannot be serious, at least sufficiently so, unless the matter is one of an ultimatum, and while I don’t wish to speak for the dead, I can’t understand Lewis’ words outside of an ultimatum.  Isn’t the use of the word either necessarily a choice outside of which there are no other alternatives, an ultimatum if you will?  Indeed, it is a serious matter, a weighty matter, but it’s only weighty because a choice is required.  It’s precisely the variants of Christianity that don’t believe a radical answer is required about who Jesus is that don’t seem to be taken seriously and are falling apart.  I think Soloveichik’s embracing of Lewis’ ultimatum progresses dialogue and encourages honesty.  Anything else seems to be a quibbling of words to muddle the issue of interreligious dialogue.  While Oakes may be right that there are more than Lewis’ three choices, at least Lewis was right to acknowledge that there were only a few choices and hard decisions were required.

~ by The Accountant on March 29, 2008.