Introduction
I have been writing this post while at the same time writing my monthly post for my Literacy blog titled 'Literacy, Families & Learning'. This of course has a different audience, but nevertheless many Christians read that blog as well as other faith-based people from around the world who are not Christians. One of the largest groups of followers overseas are parents who live as Muslims in a wide range of Muslim countries. Their concern for their children's education and growth is similar to many Christian parents. A case in point is seen in this month's topic, it is of relevance to people of all nations.
1. Keeping Imagination in check
C.S. Lewis talked often about the relationship between imagination and reason. He stressed we must not let imagination shape us so much, that we misuse it or allow it to replace reason. Jeremiah warns us not to walk "in the imagination of our hearts". By this, most commentators believe that he is stressing that while God gave us imaginations we must use them properly.
Above: C.S. Lewis in his Study
I was an atheist to this point in my life, but went to church one day 40 years ago. I did so (much to her surprise) simply to accompany my wife, who while not a Christian herself, had an interest in God. She had attended Sunday School as child and her Grandparents were Christians.
We moved to Bathurst (NSW Australia) in 1982 so I could take up a University appointment, my wife stayed at home to care for our two daughters aged 5 and three at the time. She took our 5 year old daughter to a Playgroup at the local Baptist Church after a neighbour (not a Christian) encouraged her to go with her.
To my wife's surprise, when she told me one day that she wanted our daughters to go to Sunday School, and a week later that she wanted to go to church herself, I surprised her (and inwardly myself). I replied "what makes you think I don't want to go too?" To this point in my life I saw myself as an Atheist. I was impacted by the sermon in the service on Matthew 11:28-30.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light".
I was touched by the message and when I got went home to the bathroom, dropped to my knees and in tears cried out to God, "God, if you're real, reveal yourself to me". In that moment, I was deeply convicted, and committed my life to follow him then and there on my knees. My wife came to faith about two weeks later.
2. But a warning!
Veith and Rustuccia in their helpful article "Between the Image and the Word" remind us that imagination can provide some of the "subject matter" and "impetus" for our feelings and choices (see also Trevor Hart's book that was a key source for Veith & Rustuccia). Ultimately it is God who must use the circumstances of our lives, the gift of the imagination and the work of his Spirit, in concert with His Word, to bring us to our knees, repent and believe.
The would be evangelist, who takes pride in "their work" saving people and leading them to Christ, must not forget that it is the work of God that drives all, not us.
3. Where to from here?
C.S. Lewis helpfully draws the above ideas together in his work "Bluspels and Flanasferes" pp 10-11 (Oxford University Press, 1939). While accepting the above insights about the imagination and God's use of it in lives like mine, we must remember that our imaginations can just as easily lead us in unhelpful directions. We must battle not to be captured by imaginations to lead us to stray and away from the truth. Having said this, it is also wrong to fear the imagination which God gave us as a gift. So encouraging children's imaginations is not bad, rather it is a gift that must be nurtured, encouraged and used to help all grasp truth.
Above: A Playgroup that encourages children to explore
As teachers, we are to create classroom environments and atmospheres, that encourage children to explore questions like "what if?" "how come" and of course "why"? Such questions might lead to the seeking of deep truths mirrored in God's word.
As parents we shouldn't fear the imagination. It is good for children to experience all written and spoken genres, including fantasy, to rightly understand the place of God's word in our lives. Fantasy, and truth are not the same thing. We need to help our children to understand and manage both as they engage and live in the world.
These are important challenges for teachers and parents, might God bless and teach you as you head down such paths.
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