C S Lewis required reading for our sad times

[jjwilkman]

i could be mistaken, but i seem to recall that c s lewis was episcopal. which is basically catholic. it has diverged a littly now, but when lewis wrote the books, it was for all practical purposes identical.

 

[jeffreedy789]

eh - not exactly identical.

but very similar.

similar ENOUGH that lewis was instrumental in my becoming catholic.

lewis himself shied away from making any statements about the RCC or the differences between traditions.

he congratulated people on their faith journeys when they became catholic, but assured them that he himself did not plan to become catholic.

if you read ‘letters to women’, you’ll see some of what i’m saying here.

 

[Reepicheep]

C. S. Lewis was one of the great writers of the 20th century. I’ve read the Perelandra trilogy, and Screwtape, and the Narnia series. I took my screen name because I admired the character of the Mouse --two feet tall, yet a fierce warrior in Aslan’s cause, a deeply honorable person, and a loyal and devoted friend.

 

[jimmytoes]

jjwilkman:

i could be mistaken, but i seem to recall that c s lewis was episcopal. which is basically catholic. it has diverged a littly now, but when lewis wrote the books, it was for all practical purposes identical.

No, not identical. Lambeth had already transpired by the time he gave his radio addresses that were put into a book (Meer Christianity). That was the first place that a Christian body approved of contraception. Perhaps he was also speaking to them.

Very good “meer” apologetics, for starting the conversation with a non-believer.

He said that “meer” Cristianity was like a hall with many rooms, and that one wasn’t to stay in the hall. What the others don’t realize is that we have the banquet room.

 

[Mijoy2]

Della:

The writings of C. S. Lewis helped me get out of a Pentecostal sect and back into liturgical Christianity and so on to the Catholic Church. For that I will be eternally grateful, however, as an apologist, he is like a candle next to the sun of G. K. Chesterton (who I knew nothing about until I’d been Catholic for a few years). Lewis took many of Chesterton’s ideas without any acknowledgement, btw. If you read Chesterton, you’ll see what I mean.

Embarrasing admition to follow , maybe you can help:

I have read two of Chestersons books, Orthodoxy and Everlasting Man.

As I read his books I find myself getting irritated by his constant references to historical issues and more so, literature that he assumes is widely known. When this occurs, while reading, the point he is trying to make gets lost on me. I get the feeling he has something profound to say but it is out of reach. This reaction is sooo very frustrating. I found this particularily with Everlating Man, less so with Orthodoxy, which I loved, yet feel I only grasped a fraction of what he is trying to communicate.

I get the feeling he is showing off. I know it is my illiteracy and not Chestersons, showing off, but I think you get my point. I want to read Everlasting man again but feel I need to read it before a computer and a dictionary .

By the way, from my understanding Lewis credits Everlasting Man as being paramount to his converstion, I understand.

At the least, there are certainly similarities in thier writing style and content. Lewis also assumes the reader understand many literary referals but not quite as often as Chesterson.

 

[Starsweeper]

Most people aren’t aware of this, but towards the end of his life Lewis almost converted to Catholicism. As he grew older he started attending daily Mass, going to weekly confession and he even asked to be given last rites in the Church as he lay dying. He believed strongly in purgatory and other uniquely Catholic doctrines. Books have been written about why he ultimately didn’t take the plunge, but many think he would have had he lived longer.

 

[Maranatha]

I’m currently reading ‘Mere Christianity’ for the first time. Since you can only do anything for the first time once, I’m taking my time and enjoying it.

 

[Lisa_N]

Maranatha:

I’m currently reading ‘Mere Christianity’ for the first time. Since you can only do anything for the first time once, I’m taking my time and enjoying it.

The Four Loves is also excellent. We tend not to understand different kinds of love in this society. Love tends to be associated with a sexual relationship (in love, lover, etc).

Actually you can’t go wrong with C.S. Lewis from my experience.

Lisa N

 

[Sowndog]

Reepicheep:

C. S. Lewis was one of the great writers of the 20th century. I’ve read the Perelandra trilogy, and Screwtape, and the Narnia series. I took my screen name because I admired the character of the Mouse --two feet tall, yet a fierce warrior in Aslan’s cause, a deeply honorable person, and a loyal and devoted friend.

I love your name, Reep