Discussion Questions:
Kreeft’s book, Between Heaven and Hell, is a fictional account of a meeting between three historical figures who all died on Nov. 22, 1963: President John F. Kennedy, C.S. Lewis, and Aldous Huxley. In the ensuing conversation about many of the great questions in life, especially the question of Jesus, C.S. Lewis represents the Christian position while Kennedy represents the modernist position and Huxley represents Eastern pantheism. Today’s reading focuses on the discussion between Lewis and Kennedy.
Discussion:
I. First, answer the following questions in your post (both a. and b.)
a.. Starting on p. 36, Lewis moves into his main argument to defend the Christian belief about who Jesus was. His main claim is that either Jesus was God or he was a bad man (aut dues aut homo malus). What does Lewis mean here, and what proof does he give to defend the claim that Jesus was in fact God and not a bad man?
b. In his discussion about Jesus, Lewis argues that Jesus should be classified as a “sage” (pp. 54ff). What reasons does he give for this classification, and what difference does it make in regards to determining if Jesus was God or not? How does this part of the argument (about sages) fit with the earlier argument (about Jesus being God or not)?
II. Second, explain whether you think Lewis’ argument is persuasive or not. Explain your reasons for your answer.
