Lewis left his childhood christian faith to spend years as a determined atheist. He never faced the coronavirus, of course, but in the late 1940s, the world was coming to grips with another threat. Lewis s eventual enthusiasm for christianity spawned a lifelong stream of books on christian. Mere christianity was voted best book of the 20th century by.
Lewis s forceful and accessible doctrine of christian belief. November 22nd, 1963 was an irish academic, novelist, and poet. Lewis, in full clive staples lewis, born november 29, 1898, belfast, ireland now in northern irelanddied november 22, 1963, oxford, oxfordshire, england, irishborn scholar, novelist, and author of about 40 books, many of them on christian apologetics, including the screwtape letters and mere christianity. In addition to christian themes, lewis also borrows characters from greek and roman mythology, as well as traditional british and irish fairy tales. Mar 26, 2018 complete audio book of mere christianity by c. Lewis once said that we should read three old books for every new one. One of the most popular introductions to christian faith ever written, mere christianity has sold millions of copies worldwide. Lewis institute are made possible through the generous donations of individuals like you. He is best known for his works of fiction, especially the screwtape letters, the chronicles of narnia, and the space trilogy, and for his nonfiction christian apologetics, such as mere christianity, miracles, and the problem of pain. Mere christianity by c s lewis complete audio book read by. After finally admitting god existed, lewis gave in and knelt in prayer to become what he described later as the most dejected and reluctant convert in all england.
Between the chronicles of narnia series and accessible books on deeper theology like mere christianity and the screwtape letters, lewis writing talent makes him an easy gateway to a relationship with christ. Lewis has won the admiration of millions of fans in england and here in the united states. Originally, these ideas were contained in three separate books. The christian radio station premier is urging churches to hold services on the theme of the gospel according to narnia. Lewis, the first thing to pop into your head will probably be narnia. Lewis may seem like an odd subject for study when it comes to the theology and practice of worship. Jun 06, 2017 i have multiple books on my shelf that give a nod to lewis when making a case for christianity in the 21st century. It is for priests to teach me, not for me to teach them. Lewis which is heavily centered on the claims of morality in the face of materialistic philosophy. He was neither a clergyman nor a professional theologian. This is a curious decision on his part because, first, traditional christianity is unquestionably faithbased, and second, lewis conversion had more to do with his longing for myths that tell higher truths, and his conclusion that christian myths tell the highest. C s lewis biography clive staples lewis 29 november 1898 22 november 1963, commonly referred to as c.
First heard as informal radio broadcasts and then published as three separate books the case for christianity, christian behavior, and beyond personality mere christianity brings together what lewis. They are colorfully varied, covering such topics as christianity. Considered a classic of christian apologetics, the transcripts of the broadcasts originally appeared in print as three separate pamphlets. Lewis was an irish author and scholar, born into a protestant family in belfast, though mostly resident in england. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 294 pages and is available in paperback format. And though he wrote wisely and winsomely on a wide range of subjects related to the christian. Lewis argued for a reasonbased christianity rather than a faithbased christianity. Lewis leads all the christian religions to common ground.
The first edition of the novel was published in 1947, and was written by c. The books contain christian ideas intended to be easily accessible to young readers. Lewis has become the most beloved of all modern christian authors. The revered teacher and bestselling author reflects on the power, importance, and joy of a life dedicated to reading books in this delightful collection drawn from his wide body of writings. The screwtape letters the great divorce letters to malcolm, chiefly on prayer. It is considered a classic of childrens literature and is the authors bestknown work, having sold over 100 million copies in 47 languages. Lewis was born in belfast, ireland, on november 29, 1898.
Lewis was the great christian apologist of the 20th century. Christian reflections contains fourteen of lewis s papers defending christianity. Lewis an introduction to the foundational works of one of the greatest christian authors of the last century. Free download or read online miracles pdf epub book. Lewis is one of the most influential and beloved christian writers of the past century, and interest in him continues to grow as books about his fantasy, fiction, and biography continue to appear. The main characters of this christian, religion story are. According to a pbs biographical essay on lewis, he believed that the christian definition of love was what differentiated it most from. I have never helped to organize youth, and while young myself i successfully avoided being organized. Jun 25, 2019 tolkien helped return lewis to the christianity of his youth, whereas lewis encouraged tolkien to expand his fictional writing. Christian apologetics by cs lewis 1945 virtueonline. Although lewis s personal journey was a deeply philosophical search for the most adequate worldview, the few extant books about his christian philosophy focus on specific topics rather than his. His novels generally have christian themes, and his best known work includes the the chronicles of narnia series including the lion, the witch, and the wardrobe and the space trilogy novels, a science fiction series. Lewis, one of the most trusted spiritual teachers of all time and the author of beloved classics like mere christianity and the screwtape letters, comes the formative collection of his writings on how to live out the christian faith.
C s lewis biography and list of works c s lewis books. Persuaded that stories could reveal the truth about the real world in a unique way, the literature professor would write more than thirty books. Lewis described himself, at the moment of his conversion in 1929, as perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all england ibid. This penlighten article provides a list of all the books by c. Thus begins the first adventure into the land of narnia, the setting for c. This is a curious decision on his part because, first, traditional christianity is unquestionably faithbased, and second, lewis conversion had more to do with his longing for myths that tell higher truths, and his conclusion that christian. A gorgeous boxed set that includes all eight paperback volumes of the c. When he was four years old, he pointed to himself and said, he is jacksie, and refused to answer to any other name. Clive staples lewis was a british writer and lay theologian. Questions such as why god allows evil to manifest the earth are raised in this book. But the famed chronicler of narnia had many contemporaries who were.
Mere christianity is one of lewis most insightful books as well as one of his most difficult. From the revered teacher and bestselling author of such classic christian. Still one of the finest and most widely read explanations and defenses of the faith. A frank discussion on christian beliefs, mere christianity urges the. Narnia represents everything that is most hateful about. Set in the magical realm of the same name, it tells the tale of mythical beasts, talking animals, and various children. Lewiss original manuscripts, letters, and papers at wheaton college, wheaton, illinois. Lewis audiobooks clive staples lewis 29 november 1898 22 november 1963 was a british novelist, poet, academic, medievalist, literary critic, essayist, lay theologian, broadcaster. Wrights simply christian to tim kellers the reason for god. Yet lewis writings went on to inspire generations of christians. The chronicles of narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels for children written by c. This small book is an excellent introduction to the thought of c. Boxed together for the first time, here are the signature spiritual works of one of the most celebrated literary figures of our time. With his witty english humor, sharp and simple logic, and seeming loyalty to the tenets of the christian faith, c.
Lewis, adapted from a series of bbc radio talks made between 1941 and 1944, while lewis was at oxford during the second world war. He and his older brother warren played together, invented games, and read many books that lined the hallways and the attic. Lewis books, declare that they do not recall any place where he treated scripture as being authoritative. The revered teacher and bestselling author of such classic christian works as mere christianity and the screwtape letters, c. With his trademark warmth and wit, lewis uses fiction as a vehicle for revelation. Yes, he is the famous author of this muchloved series of books and movies. And though he wrote wisely and winsomely on a wide range of subjects related to the christian life, he devoted relatively little attention to ecclesiology, liturgy, music, and corporate worship. C s lewis books biography and list of works author of. Each of these is central to the unfolding of the plot, and yet none are constant through all 7 of the books. This is the story of how one of the worlds most famous atheists became one of its most famous christians.
He and his older brother warren played together, invented games, and read many books that. Lewis the beloved christian apologists best books range beyond the chronicles of. Lewiss 25 christian books sold millions of copies, including the screwtape letters 1942, mere christianity 1952, the chronicles of narnia 195056, the great divorce 1946, and the. Lewis is regarded by many as the greatest contemporary lay writer for the christian faith. His radio programs reached millions and galvanized a new revival in the. Aug 06, 2009 thus begins the first adventure into the land of narnia, the setting for c. Please prayerfully consider making a gift today so that the c. From the revered teacher and bestselling author of such classic christian works as mere christianity and the screwtape letters comes a collection. In fact, lewis s christian books caused so much disapproval that he was more than once passed over for a professorship at oxford, with the honors going to men of lesser reputation.
He held academic positions in english literature at both oxford university and cambridge university. Lewis, including mere christianity, and the screwtape letters, and more on thriftbooks. One of the most wellknown christians of the 20th century, clive staples lewis was a gifted novelist, academic, poet, and christian apologist. Lewis s answer to the question, what books did most to shape your vocational attitude and your philosophy of life. While lewis has written a commendable list of works, the chronicles of narnia remain the most popular. Although the christian subtext to the books is an open secret among adult readers.
Lewis was a complete christian at heart, and this book deals with the aspect of suffering explained from a christian point of view. His novels generally have christian themes, and his best known. One of the most wellknown christians of the 20th century, clive staples lewis was a gifted novelist, academic. Lewis is the spiritual homecoming story of clive staples lewis, a careful and thoughtful scholar who spent fifteen years journeying the long road from atheism to theism and, eventually, to christianity. Lewis was a prolific irish writer and scholar best known for his chronicles of narnia fantasy series and his pro christian texts. Jul 11, 20 the beloved christian apologists best books range beyond the chronicles of narnia. Lewis, in full clive staples lewis, born november 29, 1898, belfast, ireland now in northern irelanddied november 22, 1963, oxford, oxfordshire, england, irishborn scholar, novelist, and author of about 40 books, many of them on christian. This book is in fact a defense of the beliefs common to all christians at all times. Today, lewiss book has its own biographywritten by george marsdenas one volume in a series on influential christian books.