A Quick Synopsis of Letter 1

2010-08-13T06:33:00.000-07:00

Alright, I like this first letter a lot. Here is my brief summary of the contents, and I think I'll post a few questions later that I had while reading...

The topic of Lewis's first letter to Malcolm is revealed straightaway and explicitly in the 3rd paragraph. There is apparently no subject, other than sport, on which Lewis has less to say than "liturgiology." He decides to dispose of the little that he does have to say on this subject (liturgiology, not sport) in this 1st letter.

The letter from thereon can be broken into two related subjects.

I suggest the following basic outline:

Change in the liturgy, broadly construed (p. 4 - top of p. 6). In this section, Lewis shares his thoughts on whether the actual shape, contents, order, etc. of the liturgy ought to be changed. 
Change in the liturgy, "in the narrower sense" (top of p. 6 - p. 8). Here, Lewis reflects on the actual language of the Liturgy and the unavoidably changing nature of a vernacular liturgy.

Regarding 1., Lewis comes across as defending a "conservatism" in the light of his reflections on the purpose of the Church service. One does not go to church in order to be entertained, but rather to enact a "structure of acts and words through which we receive a sacrament, or repent, or supplicate, or adore." Whereas entertainment is best achieved when one's attention never leaves the performance itself, the attention in a church service is meant to be on God (not on the performance -- i.e., the service -- itself). In other words, one goes to church specifically not to think about the service but rather to bless and be blessed by God through the service. The service is to be the medium, not the focal point. Changes to the shape, contents, order, etc. of the liturgy have the effect of placing people's attention on the service -- or worse, on the celebrant. The upshot is that the liturgy of the church service ought not to change. As Lewis says it, "I can make do with almost any kind of service whatever, if only it will stay put."

On 2., Lewis is quite in favor of change and here his motivation comes from the philosophy of language: "If you have a vernacular liturgy you must have a changing liturgy: otherwise it will be vernacular only in name." There is no such thing as a changeless language -- "you might as well ask for a motionless river." So, insofar as the language of the liturgy is supposed to be the language of the people, the language of the liturgy must change over time. So, here Lewis favors change -- albeit change that comes very slowly and with caution. In the remainder of the letter, Lewis gives some words of caution for how one ought to proceed in changing the language of the liturgy.

- jns

thoughts on getting started...

2010-08-11T22:06:00.000-07:00

we need to break the book into readable segments, shorter (way shorter) than chapters - and then give everyone a few days to read and respond to what they read. There needs to be a form to this, and the "book club" model probably makes the most sense.

I havent had time to look through my copy at all - dad you might know best - what's a good first segment to read and respond to?

That's my idea of how to proceed anyway.

Letters To Malcolm: One Last Try To Start Something

2010-07-29T19:33:00.000-07:00

Why would Lewis suggest he and Malcolm agree on a subject to discuss, then turn right around to say, 'Nothing makes an absent friend so present as a disagreement.'

And how appropriate to the present-day culture of the Church world-wide are Lewis' words regarding worship that extend from the first to the last of this first letter!?

We sometimes think that our struggles are really unique to us, when in reality, their underlying principles and issues are far more eternal in value than we think.

That he mentions prayer as his first thought - one which is 'a good deal on (his) mind' - is significant.

I have suggested three subjects which you will find across the page at the top.

Let's dive in wherever you feel led.

And thank you (!) for your help and company as I read through this book!

The War Drobe

A Quick Synopsis of Letter 1

thoughts on getting started...

Letters To Malcolm: One Last Try To Start Something