C. S. Lewis

Few authors have been able to demonstrate the incredible scope of different genres that Clive Staples Lewis, better known as C.S. Lewis, wrote in his career. Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind upon hearing his name is the mythical land of Narnia. Narnia is the fictional world that the widely popular series “The Chronicles of Narnia” takes place in. This series, enjoyed by adults and children alike, hosts talking animals, a God-like lion, an ice queen bearing many similarities to the Devil, and many other things. This series, like most of Lewis’ other works, is essentially a metaphor for the story of the Gospel as well as lessons for living a Christian life. In much of his writing, Lewis made an excellent and relatable argument for Christianity by his ability to write captivating stories relating to many aspects of Christian life.
Lewis’ writings and their relationship to Christianity are perhaps better understood after a basic knowledge of Lewis’ journey to, away from, and then back to his faith. He became a Christian in his early youth but as an adolescent he rejected it. In his autobiography, “Surprised by Joy” Lewis wrote that the strongest argument in support of atheism was this quote from a poem written by Lucretius: “Had God designed the world, it would not be / A world so frail and faulty as we see” (65). As an atheist and a Christian, Lewis always had an analytical way of thinking that contrasted with his imaginative side so well-known for works like “The Chronicles of Narnia.” It might be surprising for fans of Lewis’ fantasy works to learn that Lewis had a great interest in the sciences. He never went too far into the sciences because, as he explained, in all sciences “the lion Mathematics lies in wait for you”...

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...n his own time. Even with World War II over, the question of the morality of war continues to be an important issue.
Lewis died quietly in 1962, his works continue to be read, studied and enjoyed. He has a unique style and large array of skills that allowed him to write in many ways. Lewis’ “case” for Christianity is strong because he uses just the right amount of logical and emotional appeal. As G.K. Chesterton wrote “A man is partially convinced when he has found this or that proof for a thing and he can expound it. But a man is not really convinced of a philosophical theory when he finds that something proves it. He is only really convinced when he finds everything proves it (qtd 133 Purtill). However, Lewis has opened up the conversation and ignited the spark to ask questions about Christianity which is ultimately the goal of anyone advocating Christianity.