I am a great fan of reading. Throughout my childhood, summers would be spent engaging with a variety of literature from the likes of Agatha Christie and J.R.R Tolkein, and numerous trips to the library were required. Since starting university, I have found that reading for pleasure is no longer as easy as it once was. Other issues of importance get in the way, as they always tend to do! However, on the train down to Bristol last week, I had the golden opportunity to spend a few hours reading... an opportunity that I would not miss.
Now, many of you will know that I am a Christian, yet it is often unusual for me to read any literature of a theological manner. However, Friday was different. After hearing about C.S. Lewis’ ‘Screwtape Letters’ from my Dad, I pursued his office for a copy, but instead was directed to ‘The Great Divorce’ – a novel that fights with an issue that many find uneasy. Is there life after death? Is there a heaven and a hell? Are we bound to one or the other, and if so, is there an opportunity to ‘change course’? I myself have been asked these questions on several occasions, and have always found it very difficult to answer. After all, nobody knows for sure! At the same time, what I found on the all-too-fast train journey to the West Country, was an inspiring exploration into these questions; albeit one that has left me pondering on the issue even more! Lewis’ refreshing take on the relationship between Heaven and Hell is one that is accessible for anybody, be they of faith or not, and the ground that is covered within the novel is simple and easy to manage. Perhaps an ironic concept for such a challenging issue!
Without revealing too much of the novel with you, a particularly enchanting moment of the text is when two men are reunited after having died: One, a member of heaven, and the other, a ‘ghost’ who had managed to reach an area of decision making. The conversation that follows truly made an impact on my understanding of life after death – The member of heaven had previously murdered somebody, whilst the ‘ghost’ had not. Consequently a debate over rights and charity takes place. The ‘ghost’ objects to being allowed into heaven through charity, declaring that it is his right as he always tried to live a ‘good life’. This underlines for me the entire issue of Grace. By our rights we are not deemed fit for heaven, it is through charity that we are saved. In a way, our arrogance in rights throughout our everyday lives is the thing that stops us from truly accessing God’s love. We may have the right to do this or to do that, but at the end of the day it is important to be given the option of charity and act in a charitable way as well.
This book provided me with a few hours of entertaining thought processes and a few more questions to think through on my journey with God, but it has also given me some answers to questions too. I leave you with a recommendation to read ‘The Great Divorce’, and also with this quote from the book to ponder on. Maybe it will also provide some answers for you too:
'But what of the poor Ghosts who never get into the omnibus at all?'
'Everyone who wishes it does. Never fear. There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done." All that are in Hell choose it. ... No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock, it is opened.'
