Digital Downloads
Free Sea Harp resources available to the public.
Efficacy of Prayer
In "Efficacy of Prayer," C.S. Lewis explores the concept of prayer, specifically its effectiveness and purpose. Lewis begins by addressing the common skepticism about prayer, which often questions whether prayer can indeed influence the will of God. He argues that such skepticism misunderstands the nature and purpose of prayer. Instead of viewing prayer as a means to change God's will, Lewis suggests that prayer is a way for individuals to align themselves with God's will.
The Lie of Self Refinement
Lewis points out the danger of culture becoming a means of elitism, where the appreciation of art, music, and literature serves as a social distinction rather than a source of joy or enlightenment. He is critical of the way in which people may use their supposed 'cultured' status to look down on others who may not share the same interests or level of education in the arts. This, according to Lewis, fosters a pretentiousness and snobbery that is antithetical to the true value of engaging with culture.
Furthermore, Lewis discusses the irony of culture being promoted as a pathway to virtue when, in fact, it can lead individuals away from genuine virtue and towards a shallow performance of cultural sophistication. He argues that true virtue and character are built through the challenges of life and through one's relationship with the divine, rather than through the passive consumption of cultural products.
Lewis also warns against the commercialization of culture, where art and literature are produced and consumed not for their intrinsic value or their capacity to elevate the human spirit, but as commodities in a market-driven society. This commodification of culture leads to a degradation of artistic standards and a loss of the authentic experience of beauty and truth.
(This audio is a rework of C.S. Lewis’ essay, “Lillies That Fester”.)
C.S. Lewis critiques the modern elevation of culture and the arts to a status that rivals, or even surpasses, traditional virtues and religious devotion. He argues that culture, when treated as an end in itself, can lead to a kind of moral and spiritual decay, rather than the enrichment it promises. Lewis observes that the reverence for 'Culture' with a capital 'C' has become a marker of social status and intellectual superiority, rather than a genuine engagement with art or literature for their own sake or for the sake of personal growth and moral improvement.