Words to the Wise

Hope Publishing House, 2000

INTRODUCTION

George MacDonald said “It is the heart that is not yet sure of its God that is afraid to laugh in his presence.” G. K. Chesterton said “Solemnity flows out of us naturally, but laughter is a leap.” C. S. Lewis said “Joy is the serious business of heaven.”

This book is for people who enjoy the pleasure of playing with words and ideas. The 60 essays I have chosen for this collection run the gamut from cool-headed social satire to high-spirited human interest and warm-hearted inspiration.

Some of the 60 pieces gathered here appeared first in The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Eternity, The Reformed Journal. The Other Side, and the Journal of Psychology and Theology. Thanks to Faith Sand for allowing me to bring them together under the roof of the Hope Publishing House.

SEPARATING THE MEN FROM THE BOYS

The shortest essay in the book.)

Advertising for books by C. S. Lewis has sometimes included the following tribute:

“With such versatility of narrative skill, such integrity of rational argument, such wisdom simply stated, it is no wonder that C. S. Lewis has a reading audience that ranges from university professors to housewives, from philosophers to schoolboys.”

If a schoolboy is to a philosopher what a housewife is to a university professor, it’s news to me. I think that most female professors probably are housewives. Of course it is possible that most child philosophers are schoolboys. Somehow that doesn’t make the contrast any kinder. No wonder I always feel embarrassed when I say I am a housewife. My sons are not at all embarrassed to say they are schoolboys. They know it passes.

(Lewis was a university professor and a philosopher of sorts, as well as an ex-schoolboy. Oh well.)

Most of the human race is a housewife or a school-age boy at some time. We’re in good company, even if we are considered the far end of the spectrum.