28 November 2009

Why It's Better To Love Than To Be An Equal

Gary Rath, the best man at our wedding, had a line he used to chuckle over. “If I am the Best Man,” he’d say, “why aren’t you marrying me?” Silly. Behind his little play on words, a reminder of the gulf  between affection/love and reason/logic. Just as Scrooge McDuck would can't see his loving nephews for the pile of gold in front of him, likewise, a fullblown technician can know nothing of the heart of God unless he sets aside his measuring rods.
CS Lewis pointed out that "equality" within humanity is simply quantative. Further, he asserted that love knew nothing of equality. Equality is foreign to love.  Love's reasons are woven into the fabric of its makeup and are therefore impossible to tease out by method without destroying it wholecloth.  Love has its own economy.  In the realm of mere equality a miner can say to a millionaire, “I’m as good as you are.” But when it comes to affection, it is outside such boundaries or rule. Indeed, there are no clear limitations on affection.
In affection, we find our greatness when we are most humble: the greater ground is gained in lovingkindness, not in merit. One can always find someone to oppress, but love will always overcome an enemy in the end.  God breaks with a rod of iron by the fierce love of His love.
CS Lewis said that obedient reverence is the road to freedom, that humility is the road to pleasure and, in the Church of Christ, unity is the road to personality.

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