Appendix B: Thoughts on
Found in Scholarship and Professional Development > Mentoring
Brief talking points on C. S. Lewis; The Inner Ring, The Weight of Glory, HarperSan Francisco, 1949.
In general The Inner Ring is well suited for a group of faculty or any persons of influence. It reveals the special temptations that come to those in the more academic and influential spheres of life. It reveals what John Calvin meant by "total depravity,” not that everything we do is as bad as possible, but rather that in every area of life, even the "higher pursuits" are fair game for the Devil and he does his work in many high places. In our day, especially, it reveals the ever present scourge of "group think" and its sibling "political correctness" and how these inhibit true freedom and liberty.
Four ways The Inner Ring speaks to faculty:
1) The Inner Ring offers great insight into the human condition
by focusing on our continual desires:
- to belong, to be known, (psychological research has reinforced that this begins very early in our lives). For example: For many UU students, first and foremost they want to know their professors and be known by them;
- to be “in the know,” falsely reinforcing that we matter, that we count;
- to have purpose, knowing the organization needs us;
- to be indispensable… we are the ones doing the real work.
2) The Inner Ring reminds us of the subtleties of sin in our own lives.
- Reflect on Genesis 3, and the sins of self exaltation and self protection are foundational in our desire to be in the Inner Ring;
- Consider the frequent reality that the invitation to come into the Inner Ring will come deceivingly in normal conversations… not hitting us on the head in obvious ways.
- The Inner Ring is a perverse desire that can never be fulfilled; and
- The friendship that allows for truly “belonging” can never be achieved in The Inner Ring. The ring exists to exclude others, never to include.
3) This essay highlights the need for intentionality in our pursuits and practices that promote Christ-likeness and virtue. Otherwise, we will be taken over by the desires of our hearts and those desires will break our hearts.
Lewis’ insights regarding the human condition encourages us to take regular time apart for learning Biblical truths about the character of God and being with God often enough so we become a little more like him. Daily seeking after God often reveals our sinfulness, and provides the opportunity for repentance and renewal of our faith commitments.
4) Finally, The Inner Ring offers an exhortation to focus on daily obedience to our callings… not ourselves, this is best described in the following quote:
“If in your working hours you make the work your end,
you will presently find yourself all unawares inside the
only circle in your profession that really matters. You
will be one of the sound craftsmen, and other sound
craftsmen will know it. This group of craftsmen will by
no means coincide with the Inner Ring or the Important
People or the People in the Know. It will not shape that
professional policy or work up that professional influence
which fights for the profession as a whole against the
public, nor will it lead to those periodic scandals and
cries which the Inner Ring produces. But it will do those
things which that profession exists to do and will in the
long run be responsible for all the respect which that
profession in fact enjoys and which speeches and
advertisements cannot maintain.”