Learning from C.S. Lewis
When I pull into my driveway, I arrive at 4332 Morning Brook Court, Stockton, California. This is a special place: it is home. The physical locality of my home has some significance, but not so much as the people who I know in my home. When I walk through my front door, what gives me joy is my family and the many memories with the people whom I love. While reading The Secret History of Oxford, I couldn’t help but think: walking onto Oxford campus will be exciting as it is rich in history, but also because I will be in the home of who has lived there, making it the place that it is.
In chapter three of The Secret History of Oxford, a list of the many celebrities are described. The celebrity which holds the most meaning for me is C.S. Lewis, a presiding professor at Oxford from 1925-1954. [1] This is the person who makes the pilgrimage to Oxford worth my time and expense.
C.S. Lewis Contribution to Christian Thought
I had a set direction in looking at the life of C.S. Lewis at the beginning of this month (August 2023) and I ambitiously collected many C.S. Lewis books with the intention of reading as much as I could in one month’s time. Consuming the writings of C.S. Lewis has been a journey. I discovered that my efforts pale in contrast to others who have gained much from this man who wrote so clearly what we believe as Christians. Timothy Keller, in his book The Meaning of Marriage, shares a story about a man who attended his church who said of Keller, “When you are well prepared for a sermon, you site a great variety of sources, but when you aren’t well prepared, you just quote C.S. Lewis.” [2]
Keller agreed with this man and shared the profound influence Lewis has had on him: “When you dive deeply into the life and works of a single figure, something interesting happens. You don’t just get to know his writings; you get to know how his mind works. [3] Christian writers use C.S. Lewis as an example of someone who knew how to approach scripture and what God intended us to learn. Leighton Ford, in her book The Attentive Life, makes C.S. Lewis the example of someone who paid attention to how creation illustrates what God wants to communicate with those seeking Him. [4] I have been inspired while reading other books, discovering C.S. Lewis as a role model to learn from!
C.S. Lewis Contribution as an Author
C.S. Lewis’ contribution as an author is staggering; he authored over thirty books. I wanted to challenge myself to read some of his works which I had not read before, or had not read extensively. In this essay I will draw from several of these books. I picked up The Problem of Pain and was struck with this insight: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” [5] Working as a Marriage and Family therapist, I often get to hear my clients’ pain and ask the Spirit, “How are you at work in this person’s life, Lord?” On page 25 Lewis states: “Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature and the existence of free wills involve, and you find that you have excluded life itself.” [6] Lewis is able to share the purpose of pain. My father would often say: “Embrace the pain.” I believe this is what I must do and then surrender it to the power of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
A Grief Observed was helpful because it gave me a clearer picture for how Lewis’ lamented the loss of his wife, Joy. A couple of years ago, I read Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan. This author wrote compellingly, taking great efforts to draw from manuscripts that Lewis wrote, but her work is still a fictional account of Lewis’s and Joy Davidman’s love story. Some of Callahan’s conclusions were in question to the reader’s, such as C.S. Lewis’ intentions in marrying Joy. A Grief Observed was validating for me as it substantiated the great love that C.S. Lewis had for his wife and his great loss in her death. [7]
Aspirations to be like C.S. Lewis
Reflections on the Psalms gives me an example to emulate as C.S. Lewis describes how he goes about his writing: “I write as one amateur to another…I am comparing notes, not presuming to instruct. It may appear to some that I have used the Psalms merely as pegs on which to hang a series of miscellaneous essays.”[8] As I enter into my final year as a doctorate student, I am encouraged by Lewis’ humble yet courageous example to write.
Further inspiration from C.S. Lewis came in reading Mere Christianity where he describes how a Christian is to live. In the IV section of this book he describes how we are to live within the trinity, calling it a “Good Infection.” Lewis uses imagery to describe how this life is pursued: “If you want to get warm you must stand near the fire: if you want to be wet you must get into the water.” [9] This encourages me in the spiritual disciplines of reading my Bible and spending time waiting on God. It is my desire to live this kind of life in becoming more like Christ.
As I go to Oxford in September, I look forward to being in this remarkable place and I hope to learn more about C.S. Lewis and the profound impact of his life.
[1] Sullivan, Paul, The Secret History of Oxford, Gloucestershire: The History Press, 2013., p.129
[2] Keller, Timothy, The Meaning of Marriage, Penguin Books 2016, p.75
[3] Ibid. p.75
[4] Ford, Leighton, The Attentive Life: Discerning God’s Presence in All Things, Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2008, p.16
[5] Lewis, C.S., The Problem of Pain, New York: MacMillan1940, p.91
[6] Ibid. p.25
[7] Lewis, C.S., A Grief Observed, New York: Harper Collins,1961, p.2
[8] Lewis, C.S. Reflections on the Psalms, San Francisco: Harper Collins 1958, p.2
[9] Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity, New York: Macmillan.1952 p.143
About the Author
Kristy Newport
11 responses to “Learning from C.S. Lewis”
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Kristy, I love your insight into C.S. Lewis. I am so sad that The Eagle and Child is closed and we will not be able to sit in this pub together. There is something special about walking in the footsteps of the great men and women who have come before us. Although we may miss out on this favorite of The Inklings, I know there will be other places to visit and experience the wonder of knowing we are standing in the shadow of greatness. Have you read any of C.S. Lewis’ fictional works? I love the Chronicles of Narnia and I read The Space Trilogy many years ago. I would like to revisit that series at some point. What was your favorite work of his?
Hi Becca,
It is difficult for me to pin down a favorite C.S. Lewis book. I am currently working through Mere Christianity. I loved the Narnia series but I was not a fan of the space trilogy.
I hope we can talk further about C.S Lewis while in Oxford!
Sounds like you have lots of work to do in preparation for the advance. I hope that you are able to have a great experience. What do you hope that your increased knowledge of C.S. Lewis will do for you as you walk the halls of Oxford?
Shonnell,
My first response to your question is: “I do not know.”
But, as I think about it…I am hoping it will give me greater connections in my thoughts on CS Lewis. I believe this will come in visiting the Kilns, his home.
I did not know what I wanted to get from going to Robbin Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned but I know that once I visited, I was impacted in a big way. I hope that the Oxford experience will be the same
Ah, love it! As a fellow Lewis nerd, reading this brought me great joy. I’ve recently found myself having discussions with a young adult who has lots of faith questions. He is struggling with his faith and feels like he can’t believe since he doesn’t know everything. I challenged him to 1. recognize he won’t know everything and 2. to read everything by Lewis he can get his hands on. The next time we met up he had Mere Christianity. As with Becca’s question, what is your favorite work of Lewis?
David,
So cool!
I am glad this student took you up on your recommendation! I pray he is loving Mere Christianity.
I am not sure how to nail down a favorite book. I hesitate because I have a couple that I have not read yet. I will say – Screw Tape Letters was so well done-it opened my eyes to the spiritual world/spiritual battles in a way I had not imagined before.
i look forward to hearing more about CS Lewis when we are in Oxford! See you soon
Hi Kristy, What a great post! I am inspired to read more of Lewis’ works! I love how you started with the theme of home and pointed out that when we go to Oxford, there is so much meaning in remembering who has made this place home. I especially liked how you drew out Lewis’ thoughts on pain. Maybe I’ll tackle A Grief Observed. Would you recommend it?
Jenny,
The Problem of Pain
I would describe this book as “thick” or “dense”
I need to revisit this book and consider your question.
It is a helpful book if you are grappling with why their is pain in the world.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Hey, I am curious…can you send me the title of the book that I recommended to you (I shot you a screen shot when I was in MT)? I know that this has proven to be a good resource for you. I am so glad.
I hope to get you some other sources for your research. I have a couple in mind.
Hi Kristy
What a great way to prepare for Oxford and invest in the works of this profound person of faith.
I took a CS Lewis class in seminary. I had read Mere Christianity but not much else. I was surprised by how broadly he wrote. The most impactful on me was the book, Surprised by Joy. I also enjoyed the contrast between A Grief Observed (which is more existential treatment of suffering) and The Problem of Pain (which is more philosophical). Keller was right to allow himself to be formed by CS Lewis.
Chad,
Hello! I hope you have had a great summer. Summer has ended…here we go!
You took a class on CS Lewis-wow! That sounds like a great class. I am encouraged to finish Mere Christianity. I hope you can share in Oxford other learnings you had when taking this class.
I like your summary of the books you are familiar with!
see you soon
Kristy
Kristy,
Man what an experience we had! What was something that was surprising to you while we were there?