C.S. Lewis's Humble and Thoughtful Gift of Letter Writing
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KNOWING . OING &DC S L EWI S I N S TITUTE Fall 2013 A Teaching Quarterly for Discipleship of Heart and Mind C.S. Lewis’s Humble and Thoughtful Gift of Letter Writing by Joel S. Woodruff, Ed.D. Vice President of Discipleship and Outreach, C.S. Lewis Institute s it a sin to love Aslan, the lion of Narnia, Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that more than Jesus? This was the concern ex- I may be filled with joy” (2 Tim. 1:2–4 NIV). Ipressed by a nine-year-old American to his The letters of Paul, Peter, John, James, and Jude mother after reading The Chronicles of Narnia. that fill our New Testament give witness to the IN THIS ISSUE How does a mother respond to a question like power of letters to be used by God to disciple that? In this case, she turned straight to the au- and nourish followers of Jesus. While the let- 2 Notes from thor of Narnia, C.S. Lewis, by writing him a let- ters of C.S. Lewis certainly cannot be compared the President ter. At the time, Lewis was receiving hundreds in inspiration and authority to the canon of the by Kerry Knott of letters every year from fans. Surely a busy Holy Scriptures, it is clear that letter writing is scholar, writer, and Christian apologist of inter- a gift and ministry that when developed and 3 Ambassadors at national fame wouldn’t have the time to deal shared with others can still influence lives for the Office by Jeff with this query from a child. And yet Lewis the kingdom of God. In fact, Lewis’s comment Lindeman took time out of his busy schedule to answer about Charles Lamb, the British writer, could the letter thoughtfully and carefully. He encour- apply to his own letters, “You’ll find his letters 4 Keeping the Heart aged the boy, suggested a prayer for him to pray, as good as his essays: indeed they are almost of God at the Heart and then wrote, “And if Mr. Lewis has worried exactly the same, only more of it.”2 of Living by any other children by his books or done them Letter writing was much more common in E. G. “Jay” Link any harm, then please forgive him and help him the early twentieth century than it is today, as it never to do it again.”1 was the primary means of long-distance com- 6 Learning to Make Lewis’s response is both simple and pro- munication. Without the entertainment distrac- Disciples of Jesus: found and reveals a heart that had been soft- tions of television, YouTube, and other modern The Calling of Every ened and molded by the work of the Holy Spirit. media, people used their spare time to engage Believer by Thomas And while the letter is unique and personal, it is in conversation with one another over a cup A. Tarrants, III just one of thousands that flowed from the mind of tea or through the art of written correspon- of Lewis through pen and ink to people around dence. Lewis himself was sent off to boarding 8 God’s Character the globe. Lewis’s letters touched lives in the school at a young age and, being a dutiful son, and Personality by past and still minister to us today. wrote letters home to his father. He delighted Stephen Eyre Interestingly, this type of letter writing is in writing more than three hundred letters dur- reminiscent of another great letter writer, the ing his lifetime to his best childhood friend, 10 David Livingstone apostle Paul, who wrote tenderly, “To Timothy, Arthur Greeves. And he faithfully wrote to his by David Calhoun my dear son . I thank God . as night and brother, Warnie, who served overseas in the day I constantly remember you in my prayers. British Army. (continued on page 12) NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT by Kerry A. Knott President, C.S. Lewis Institute Dear Friends, s you seek to become an effective disciple of Christ, it is important to have practical guidance. This issue is especially focused on application. A We start by examining an interesting and instructive aspect of C.S. Lewis’s life. Joel Wood- ruff, our vice president for discipleship and outreach, highlights how Lewis was faithful in a practice he disliked: answering the trove of letters he received as his books became more and more popular. We now know how much these letters ministered to the recipients—and how they can still speak to us—since so many of them have been preserved. Jay Link, in his ongoing series on stewardship, helps us understand the need to “die to self” and live with the full understanding of God as the rightful owner of everything. An alumnus Fellow, Jeff Lindeman, describes how he walked away from a large law firm deter- mined to build a law practice around a culture of honoring God while also doing excellent legal work. Jeff provides a framework that many of us should consider in various leadership roles. Tom Tarrants, our vice president for ministry, explores the Great Commission With a clear understanding of (Matt. 28:19–20) in light of three key areas: evangelism, making disciples, and teaching. Understanding that this is the primary call of all believers is key to God, we can recognize that God living as authentic disciples of Christ. loves us and has a purpose for us. Stephen Eyre, city director for CSLI–Cincinnati, shows us how our under- standing of God’s attributes plays a significant role in our trust in and obedience to God. Stephen describes how God revealed Himself through Moses and, more completely, through Jesus Christ. With a clear understanding of God, we can recognize that God loves us and has a purpose for us. In David Calhoun’s profile of David Livingstone, we are reminded of the unbelievable accomplish- ments that can be made through a wholehearted commitment to God’s call as Livingstone explored the African continent and shared the gospel along the way. We are each called to grow into spiritual maturity. No matter where we are in this process, God will help us, but we must be intentional in our desire for this growth. He simply wants us to be more and more like Christ. Sincerely, Kerry A. Knott [email protected] Page 2 • KNOWING & DOING | Fall 2013 Ambassadors at the Office by Jeff Lindeman Founding member of J.A. Lindeman & Co. PLLC There is not a square inch in the whole ers may “be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20).2 domain of our human existence over which With this in mind I’ve chosen to view my of- Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not fice as an embassy of the kingdom of God. How cry: “Mine!” — Abraham Kuyper 1 does this work? To establish that outpost or embassy, I first I’m a follower of Jesus Christ.” Mak- began thanking God for the physical place ing the claim can quickly change the where I worked, for the work that I had to do, dynamics of one’s workplace. People and for the people, colleagues, and clients with “ whom I worked. I also prayed that when peo- may see you differently and not always posi- ple walked into my office they would experi- tively. Saying you are a Christian may sub- ence a tangible difference, that when they came Jeff Lindeman is the found- ject you to other people’s labels, prejudices, ing member of J.A. Linde- through my door they would sense a peace and and disapproval. man & Co. PLLC, a patent calmness even in the busyness of our work. I Knowing that reality and knowing Christ’s law firm in Falls Church, wanted stepping into my office to be like step- VA. Jeff has a doctorate in claim as Sovereign over all, I have asked and ping onto the soil of God’s kingdom. I knew chemistry from the Univer- wanted to understand what it means to be a there was nothing I myself could do to make sity of South Carolina and Christian in the workplace. I suspect that many his law degree from George- that happen, but I believed God could do it and believers ask that question as Sunday turns to town University. He has that people would notice the difference. taught and written in areas Monday. Yet everyone’s workplace is different I also made a very conscious decision not of science and law. Jeff com- and dynamics are never static, even for individ- to hang religious pictures, have a Bible out on pleted Years 1 and 2 of the uals working similar jobs for the same company. my desk, or speak using “Christian” jargon. In Fellows Program, has been a mentor to Year 1 Fellows There is not a one-size-fits-all answer. Washington, DC, where I work, such things For most of my professional life, I have and has served on the CSLI can be seen as off-putting political statements. Board. Jeff, his wife Mona, worked in large office settings. Currently I am Too often, what we say using Christian jargon and their son Matthew live operating my own small business. In each work- creates barriers. Though we may intend bless- in McLean, VA and attend place, however, I have asked, what does it mean ing, the language may prompt others to throw The Falls Church Anglican. to be a follower of Christ here in this place? How up their defenses.