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Serenity412
Guest
Hi All,
Is C S Lewis a Christian author?
Are the Chronicles of Narnia books Christian related?
Is C S Lewis a Christian author?
Are the Chronicles of Narnia books Christian related?
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InNomineDomini
Guest
A very good audio answer to your questions can be found here: catholicradioinsc.com/more-christianity-episode-14/. This is an episode of Fr. Dwight Longenecker’s radio show More Christianity, and features Catholic author Joseph Pearce.
I recommend all the episodes of the show, incidentally; the material is orthodox and quite well presented.
I recommend all the episodes of the show, incidentally; the material is orthodox and quite well presented.
S
St_Francis
Guest
CS Lewis was an Anglican (Episcopalian) in England who wrote wonderful apologetics books directed to unbelievers, as well as books explaining aspects of the spiritual life and the consequences of various social/educational trends of the time.
He wrote the Narnia books as an extended analogy to Christ, Who is represented by the lion, Aslan. The books are very good and portray certain aspects of theology with which people often have trouble. The analogy is veiled enough that they are aslo good stories, unlike some books in which the “moral” is displayed with too heavy a hand.
Some fundamentalist Protestants believe that since the books are fantasy, they are evil, but this is defintely a very small sub-set of Christians.
N
Netty1
Guest
CSL was baptised into the Church of Ireland (part of the Anglican communion), but fell away as a teenager and became an atheist. When he came back to Christianity he joined the Church of England and his writings place him on the Orthodox wing of the C of E.
There are those who believe that had he lived longer he would have converted to Catholicism. The jury is out on that because we will never know.
Those who say he would not have done so usually cite that he was raised as a Protestant in Northern Ireland and this made Catholicism repugnant to him. (for the most recent and publicised attempt at this see C. S. Lewis and the Catholic Church by Joseph Pearce). CSL himself tackled this in Surprised by Joy and from what he wrote, that argument does not hold water very well.
His closest friends at the height of his influence and academic power were Catholics and I don’t think I am alone in thinking that he might well have converted had he lived longer - he was only 64 when he died.
Cannot recommend more highly his work. Can especially recommend this book where his essays and speeches have been collated together. Taken as a whole, they are awesome. This is available on audio CDs and download through Amazon Audible (which is how I “read” it) and the sympathetic narration makes it almost as though one is listening to CSL himself.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_the_Dock
audible.co.uk/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B004FTHG2C&qid=1377270634&sr=1-1
C. S. Lewis was a profound thinker with the rare ability to communicate the philosophical and theological rationale of Christianity in simple yet amazingly effective ways. God in the Dock contains 48 essays and 12 letters written by Lewis between 1940 and 1963 for a wide variety of publications. Ranging from popular newspaper pieces to learned defenses of the faith, these essays cover topics as varied as the logic of theism, good and evil, miracles, vivisection, the role of women in church polity, and ethics and politics. Many of these writings represent Lewis’ first ventures into themes he would later treat in full-length books.
There are those who believe that had he lived longer he would have converted to Catholicism. The jury is out on that because we will never know.
Those who say he would not have done so usually cite that he was raised as a Protestant in Northern Ireland and this made Catholicism repugnant to him. (for the most recent and publicised attempt at this see C. S. Lewis and the Catholic Church by Joseph Pearce). CSL himself tackled this in Surprised by Joy and from what he wrote, that argument does not hold water very well.
His closest friends at the height of his influence and academic power were Catholics and I don’t think I am alone in thinking that he might well have converted had he lived longer - he was only 64 when he died.
Cannot recommend more highly his work. Can especially recommend this book where his essays and speeches have been collated together. Taken as a whole, they are awesome. This is available on audio CDs and download through Amazon Audible (which is how I “read” it) and the sympathetic narration makes it almost as though one is listening to CSL himself.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_the_Dock
audible.co.uk/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B004FTHG2C&qid=1377270634&sr=1-1
C. S. Lewis was a profound thinker with the rare ability to communicate the philosophical and theological rationale of Christianity in simple yet amazingly effective ways. God in the Dock contains 48 essays and 12 letters written by Lewis between 1940 and 1963 for a wide variety of publications. Ranging from popular newspaper pieces to learned defenses of the faith, these essays cover topics as varied as the logic of theism, good and evil, miracles, vivisection, the role of women in church polity, and ethics and politics. Many of these writings represent Lewis’ first ventures into themes he would later treat in full-length books.
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Mumbles140
Guest
CS Lewis was Christian, not Catholic, but held many Catholic views, such as the importance of the Virgin Mary, Confession to a Priest (although not required by the C of E, it was an option), and Purgatory (which he explains as necessary through the use of reason, and portrays it in his allegory “The Great Divorce”).
The true beauty of Lewis was he held steadfastly to orthodox beliefs, but really didn’t venture into any areas against Catholic teaching. His efforts were critical in trying to re-evangelize England, often noting that the saving of other people’s souls was the single most important job of every Christian.
You mentioned the Chronicles of Narnia - if you enjoyed those, the Space Trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength) is a bit deeper in its theological allegory, but still very enjoyable stories as well.
I am finished with all of the CS Lewis works I own (quite an extensive collection, if I do say so myself), and I have been steered towards GK Chesterton, who was a Catholic contemporary (and close friend) of CS Lewis.
The true beauty of Lewis was he held steadfastly to orthodox beliefs, but really didn’t venture into any areas against Catholic teaching. His efforts were critical in trying to re-evangelize England, often noting that the saving of other people’s souls was the single most important job of every Christian.
You mentioned the Chronicles of Narnia - if you enjoyed those, the Space Trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength) is a bit deeper in its theological allegory, but still very enjoyable stories as well.
I am finished with all of the CS Lewis works I own (quite an extensive collection, if I do say so myself), and I have been steered towards GK Chesterton, who was a Catholic contemporary (and close friend) of CS Lewis.
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Viki63
Guest
God used C.S.Lewis’ book Mere Christianity and the Narnia books in His plan for my salvation. I can’t wait to meet Lewis in heaven.
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Luvz2travel
Guest
Lewis was a true Christian. He changed throughout his life from being a moderate believer to a truly sincere one. Check out the story of him and his wife who was a Jewish convert who was inspired by his writings. I’m sorry I don’t remember the name of the movie or play but it’s a beautiy story. Her Name was Joy by the way.
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Mumbles140
Guest
Shadowlands, starring Anthony Hopkins as CS Lewis. Originally an HBO film, back when they had really great content (like A Bronx Tale) without all the nudity, sex scenes, excessive language (not that language was absent in A Bronx Tale - it was a mob movie)
K
Kamaduck
Guest
Definitely!
His apologetics books are among best I’ve read, and Narnia is pretty good Christian Fantasy (although it isn’t as good as LotR
).
J
JRJOHNSON
Guest
Have seen 3 of the Narnia Chronicles Movies-Lion, Witch and Wardbrobe, Prince Caspian and Dawntreader Voyage. Will see other Narnia Chronicles movies when they are released. I have not read the Narnia Chronicles books, but by seeing the Narnia Chronicle movies, they honor CS Lewis. I have also seen 7/8 Harry Potter movies except for Goblet of Fire. I have not read J K Rowlings books. While Harry Potter movies are good, the Narnia Chronicle movies are better. Also have seen Lord of Rings Trilogy and the Hobbitt.
J.R. Johnson
J.R. Johnson
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Della
Guest
Fr. Dwight Longnecker, a priest of the Anglican Ordinariate (fully in union with Rome) wrote a wonderful article about Tolkien’s LOTR compared to C. S. Lewis’ Narnia: catholicity.com/commentary/longenecker/03657.html. I think he put his finger on the differences between the 2 authors’ religious views of life, God, and humanity.
Lewis did not trust in the authority of the Catholic Church. He wrote about it in his “Latin Letters” which he wrote to a Catholic religious over several years. He feared that the Church would make a manmade pronouncement and then expect him to accept it. For him faith was something one tested for oneself to decide if you agreed. He was very much a person of the mind. But for Tolkien, it was a matter of the heart, as well as the mind–to put it simply.
Fr. Longnecker is spot on in his analysis. Having read both authors I have to agree with his assessment. Before I read Tolkien and Chesterton I was swept away by Lewis, but he paled by comparison after I read Tolkien’s LOTR and Chesterton’s works. I think most who have read all three would say the same.
Lewis did not trust in the authority of the Catholic Church. He wrote about it in his “Latin Letters” which he wrote to a Catholic religious over several years. He feared that the Church would make a manmade pronouncement and then expect him to accept it. For him faith was something one tested for oneself to decide if you agreed. He was very much a person of the mind. But for Tolkien, it was a matter of the heart, as well as the mind–to put it simply.
Fr. Longnecker is spot on in his analysis. Having read both authors I have to agree with his assessment. Before I read Tolkien and Chesterton I was swept away by Lewis, but he paled by comparison after I read Tolkien’s LOTR and Chesterton’s works. I think most who have read all three would say the same.
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Bob_Crowley
Guest
I wasn’t aware that Lewis and Chesterton were close friends, although Lewis was certainly influenced by Chesterton’s writings. Chesterton died in 1936, and CS Lewis didn’t become a Christian till he was about 28 if my memory is correct. That would have been circa 1927, so they would not have been Christian contemporaries for long.
He was a friend of JRR Tolkien (who was Catholic), and they met together with other writers and academics at Oxford as part of a group called “The Inklings”.
From Wikipedia -
Be nice to have a group like that to relate to if you were a writer, or budding writer.
R
Razanir
Guest
Understatement. Tolkien actually converted Lewis back to Christianity from atheism. (Although much to his dismay, Lewis became Anglican, not Catholic)
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