On Line Library - CS Lewis

Clive Staples Lewis was born in Belfast, Ireland. Raised in a church-going family in the Church of Ireland, Lewis became an atheist at the age of 15, though he later paradoxically described his young self (in Surprised by Joy) as being "very angry with God for not existing". He returned to his Christian beliefs at age 33.

His separation from Christianity began when he started to view his religion as a chore and as a duty. Lewis quoted Lucretius (De rerum natura, 5.198–9) as having one of the strongest arguments for atheism:

Nequaquam nobis divinitus esse paratam
Naturam rerum; tanta stat praedita culpa
"Had God designed the world, it would not be
A world so frail and faulty as we see."

Lewis's interest in fantasy and mythology, especially in relation to the works of George MacDonald was part of what turned him from atheism. In fact, MacDonald's position as a Christian fantasy writer was very influential on Lewis. Influenced by arguments with his Oxford colleague and friend JRR Tolkien a Roman Catholic, and by the book The Everlasting Man by Roman Catholic convert GK Chersterton, he slowly rediscovered Christianity. He fought greatly up to the moment of his conversion noting, "I came into Christianity kicking and screaming." He described his last struggle in his book Surprised by Joy.

After his conversion to theism in 1929, Lewis converted to Christianity in 1931. Following a long discussion and late-night walk with his close friends Tolkien and Hugo Dyson, he records making a specific commitment to Christian belief while on his way to the zoo with his brother. He became a member of the Church of England — somewhat to the disappointment of Tolkien, who had hoped he would convert to Roman Catholicism.

A committed Anglican, Lewis upheld a largely orthodox Anglican theology, though in his apologetic writings, he made an effort to avoid espousing any one denomination. In his later writings, some believe when he proposed ideas such as purification of venial sins after death in purgatory in his book The Great Divorce and mortal sin in the Screwtape Letters which are generally inclinations towards Catholic teachings. Regardless, Lewis considered himself an entirely orthodox Anglican to the end of his life.

Books written by C.S. Lewis

Mere Christianity
Arguably the 20th century's most influential Christian writer, C.S. Lewis sought to explain and defend the beliefs that nearly all Christians at all times hold in common. His simple yet deeply profound classic, originally delivered as a series of radio broadcasts, is a book to be thoroughly digested by believers and generously shared with skeptics.

Screwtape Letters
CS Lewis explores the force of temptation. Wormwood, a demon apprentice, has been given his first earthly assignment---secure the damnation of a young man who's just become a Christian. He seeks the advice of an experienced devil---his uncle Screwtape. Their correspondence discloses the psychology of temptation from the other side. Invaluable insights on temptation, pride, the power of prayer, and the ultimate victory of faith over the forces evil.

A Grief Observed
"No one ever told me that grief felt so much like fear." This intensely personal journal, written by Lewis after the death of his wife, probes the ''mad midnight moments'' of his mourning; moments when he questioned his beliefs in life and death, marriage, and even God. With brief, poignant insights, Lewis puts into words the feelings and struggles we all go through when we've lost a loved one.

The Four Loves
Love has not one but many faces. C.S. Lewis, in this candid, wise and warmly personal book, describes the four basic kinds of human love--affection, friendship, erotic love, and the love of God. He explores the possibilities and problems of the love between parents and children, the love of men for other men and women for women; the love of men and women for each other; and the love of God that may enrich all love. Lewis also explores the questions of sex, possessiveness, jealousy, pride, false sentimentality, good and bad manners in loving, and the need for more laughter between lovers.

The Abolition of Man
In this graceful work, C.S. Lewis reflects on society and nature and the challenges of how best to educate our children. He eloquently argues that we need as a society to underpin reading and writing with lessons on morality and in the process both educate and re-educate ourselves. In the words of Walter Hooper, "If someone were to come to me and say that, with the exception of the Bible, everyone on earth was going to be required to read one and the same book, and then ask what it should be, I would with no hesitation say The Abolition of Man. It is the most perfectly reasoned defense of Natural Law (Morality) I have ever seen, or believe to exist. If any book is able to save us from future excesses of folly and evil, it is this book."

The Pilgrim’s Regress
The story of John and his odyssey to an enchanted island which has created in him an intense longing. John's pursuit of this longing takes him through adventures with such people as Mr. Enlightenment, Media Halfways, Mr. Mammon, Mother Kirk, Mr. Sensible, and Mr. Humanist and through such cities as Thrill and Eschropolis, as well as the Valley of Humilation. The first book written by C.S. Lewis after his conversion, The Pilgrim's Regress is, in a sense, a record of Lewis's own search for meaning and spiritual satisfaction that eventually led him to Christianity.

Surprised by Joy
"This book," Lewis says in his opening sentence, "is written partly in answer to requests that I would tell how I passed from atheism to Christianity and partly to correct one or two false notions that seem to have got about." One of the most important spiritual autobiographies in the last 100 years!