Our English Syllabus

In his article "Our English Syllabus" C.S. Lewis is considering the method of education used in colleges and universities and discussing what type of an education is most valuable. He compares a vocational training or learning for the sake of gaining a particular skill to learning simply out of a thirst for knowledge. Lewis believes that the purpose of a university is centered around learning that will not only further students in a particular trade, but will also equip them for the rest of their lives and even allow them to get the most out of their leisure time. Lewis also talks about the difference between this sort of an education and the type of teaching and learning that happens before the university level. According to him, the purpose of this early learning is to prepare students to take control of their own quest for knowledge once they graduate. At the college level, professors are in the middle of studying and learning about something that is important to them, and the college students are encouraged to join them in their study, and get what they can out of the experiance.

During the class discussion, something was brought up concerning this topic that related it to our lives as Christians. Someone said that too often, children who are raised in a Christian environment are equiped with the knowledge necesarry for a godly life, but fail to grab hold of that themselves and really dig into all the questions surrounding the christian faith. They are content simply to be led. They are satisfied with what is handed to them. This causes problems when others question them about their faith because they are asked questions that they have never bothered to consider themselves. I think this is an important point. Paul tells us in I Peter 3:15 "....be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you...." If we truly love God we need to study his word and spend time learning more about him.

Althought I believe that Christians should be prepared to give an answer, I do not think that that answer will ever be able to prove God to anyone. It may be the tool that God uses to lead one of his children to him, but it is ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts that turns God's children to him. This is also an encouragement when our answer fails to open someone's eyes to God. Our duty to God is to give that answer, and that is all we can do. We do not have the power to give the gift of faith. We can show Christ to someone, but only objectively. They can experiance or look along Christ and the salvation he has merrited only by the work of the Holy spirt. This shouldn't stop us from being ready to give our answer, though. If we can give an objective view of Christianity that is clear and logical, that may the means that God will use to open their heart to him.

I feel like I haven't really said much about the paper yet, so I will try to get back to that. I think that Lewis had a really great idea of what college learning could be. I am easily able to see this inturim class as a practical example. If you are not interested in C.S. Lewis, you will not get very much out of it at all. If you enjoy Lewis and Literature, you will be motivated to put time into studying the writings and you will benefit not only yourself, but the other students in the class. It would be nice if every college course could be taught this way, but that is not the case. As Lewis put it, "unfortunately, we have to make our livings." Some of our college classes will be core class requirements that are of little interest to us. Other classes, while interesting, will be limmited to teaching us one practical skill. These classes have their own benefits, and many of them are very important with regaurd to certain professions, however, we should realize that the goal of college is not only to prepare us for a job, but to prepare us for life.