Man or Rabbit is a very interesting read by C.S. Lewis. In this reading, Lewis questions whether those who are not Christians can still lead a good life. This was an extremely relevant article to me, as I attended a public high school, and I met many people who were not Christians who were still good people. However, what would they really be classified is a question worth asking, which is why I read Lewis' points with zeal.
However, I was first struck with something that Lewis said about honest mistakes. The basic principle of this is that if someone honestly has never heard of the gospel, but is a good person, then they are excused by God. I would whole-heartily disagree with this statement. Part of the tenants of being a Christian is that you absolutely need Jesus to be saved. Belief in him is the only way to salvation, he is the bridge between heaven and Hell, which we are doomed to enter if our souls are not saved. So for Lewis to say this I believe to unsound doctrine.
I didn't disagree with everything Lewis said though. He brought up the point of honest ignorance and honest errors. In this theory, honest ignorance would be someone who had never been around or heard anything regarding Christianity. However, this differs from those who have heard about the gospel, but would still like to lead a good life. This is wrong, as Lewis correctly notes. For one, this again is not believing in the goodness of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, the only way to receive salvation. With this in mind, we are struck with two opposing views. First, a person who is not a Christian, but is still a good person, is still useful to society and can benefit society. There are many people who are not Christians who are polite, kind, who volunteer, and make this world a better place. However, in the merits of God's kingdom, they are not good. If they are conscious enough to know God's love, but still reject it, they have clearly blasphemed God's name, and are not worthy of his kingdom. Likewise, they provide or add nothing to the furthering of his kingdom. So overall, the shunning of God's loving kindness and irresistible grace is wrong for both the ignorant and the knowledgeable.
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I was also very skeptical about the statement Lewis says about honest mistakes. If someone does not know about the Gospel in their lifetime, it is sad yes, but they will not be going to heaven. The only way to be saved is to know Jesus and accept his saving grace, and all other beliefs, morals, or values are futile.
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