Recently, some of us were chatting together about C.S. Lewis and his Chronicles. If you’ve read them you know that he admits into the kingdom a person who was not trusting in Aslan.

One of the guys commented, “I was reading someone writing on this and he said, ‘Lewis was wrong.'” I agree. Lewis was wrong. He’s been wrong about a number of things — eschatology and his thoughts of household pets, but I am sure that I am wrong about loads more than that.

Coincidental to that conversation, I bumped into this passage in That Hideous Strength — a passage that kind of cleared the muddy water for me. In context, Jane is deciding to cooperate with the Director and do the right thing. She’s not sold on following Maleldil (God) yet.

“Sir,” said Jane, “I know nothing of Maleldil. But I place myself in obedience to you.”

“It is enough for the present,” said the Director. “This is the courtesy of Deep Heaven: that when you mean well, He always takes you to have meant better than you knew. It will not be enough for always; He is very jealous. He will have you  for no one but Himself in the end. But for tonight, it is enough.” — C. S. Lewis, in That Hideous Strength

I only object to this thinking on Lewis’ part if he considers one may die in such a state and still be in God’s good graces. Francis Chan has done a great job addressing that folly in the past couple of months.

However, I do see that God graciously accepts us where we are, to move us to where we should be. It is the courtesy of Deep Heaven — the grace of God.