Ask Charlie Anything 235: Greenland Update? Brennan, Comey, Clapper? The Deal with Demons?

In 'The Great Divorce', C.S. Lewis presents an allegorical narrative where souls from a gray, dreary town (representing hell) are given the opportunity to visit heaven. The story follows the narrator and various ghosts as they encounter spirits in heaven, engaging in dialogues that reveal the nature of their choices and the reasons they remain in hell. The book emphasizes that hell is a self-imposed state, and individuals choose to remain there due to their inability to let go of their earthly attachments and sins. Through these encounters, Lewis explores themes of redemption, the afterlife, and the importance of spiritual choices, underscoring that true joy and salvation are available to those who seek them sincerely.

In 'The Abolition of Man', C.S. Lewis delivers a defense of objective value and natural law, originating from his Riddell Memorial Lectures at the University of Durham in 1943. Lewis argues that education should be conducted within the context of moral law and objective values, which he terms the 'Tao'. He criticizes modern attempts to debunk these values, warning that such actions could lead to a dehumanization of society, resulting in what he calls 'Men without Chests' – individuals whose emotions have not been trained to conform to reason. The book emphasizes the universal nature of traditional moralities across different cultures and warns against the dangers of moral relativism and the reduction of human beings to mere objects of scientific analysis.

The Book of Ezekiel records the prophetic visions and messages of Ezekiel, who lived among the exiled Judeans in Babylon from approximately 593 to 571 BC. The book includes vivid, symbolic language and describes Ezekiel's commission as a prophet, his visions of God's throne chariot, the state of the temple in Jerusalem, and the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the surrounding nations. It also contains parables and allegories that depict Israel's rebellion and idolatry, as well as God's judgment and justice.