C.S. Lewis carries his view of value from chapter two into the final chapter. Lewis starts out by explaining ‘nature,’ mostly human nature in which man can destroy himself when he lacks absolute values. He gives the example of contraceptives. Taking it to the extreme Lewis says if contraceptives are continually used they will wipe out humans. In other words, humans have the ability to destroy themselves. Lewis goes on to mention the issue of time. What many of us forget is that any idea or value must be evaluated with the long-term in mind. What is made and created today will not last and will eventually be over taken by something else.
Lewis’ overall point in this section is to point out that without absolute values people become destructive and ultimately kill themselves. He makes this point on page 65, “My point is that those who stand outside all judgments of value cannot have any ground for preferring one of their own impulses to another except the emotional strength of that impulse.” Lewis’ point here is seen often within the church today where we see emotion take over the mind and create something we truly are not. An example, as young Christians we are often persuaded by how we feel. I believe there comes a point in the Christian journey where we should not be overtaken by our emotions, but rather as the apostle Paul says be transformed by the renewing of our mind. When we take in God’s Word and think and meditate on that we have absolute truth (or values) that gives our lives meaning and enables us to make decisions for the betterment of mankind.
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