C.S. Lewis: A Guide to His Theology

196 Pages·2007·2.11 MB·English

by  David G. Clark

C. S. Lewis
My thanks to Cindy B., who first introduced
me to Lewis,
who in turned changed my life,
and now threatens to take over what I teach!
And to Rose, who helped in so many ways.
My lasting gratitude.
C. S. Lewis
A Guide to His
Theology
David G. Clark
(cid:2)2007byDavidG.Clark
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1 2007
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Clark,DavidGeorge,1943–
C.S.Lewis:aguidetohistheology/byDavidG.Clark.
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Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex.
ISBN 978-1-4051-5883-1 (hardcover : alk. paper)—ISBN 978-1-4051-5884-8
(pbk.:alk.paper)1. Lewis,C.S.(CliveStaples),1898–1963—Religion.I. Title.
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Contents
Listof Abbreviations viii
Lewis’s Works viii
Books of the Bible xi
Introduction 1
Lewis and Scripture 3
The Strengthsof Lewis 4
Lewis the ApologistandMentor 10
1 FromAtheistto Apologist 14
Growing Up 16
Lewis in School 16
Lewis at Oxford 18
The Path toFaith 20
The Christian Lewis 22
Lewis as Prophet 23
Lewis as Evangelist 24
Lewis as Believerand Mentor 30
vi Contents
2 Lewis Looks atHis World 32
Aesthetics andMorality in the‘‘Green Book’’ 34
Aesthetics andMorality in ThatHideous Strength 37
Aesthetics andGod in Reflections on thePsalms 40
Lewis atCambridge 41
The Post-ChristianWest 43
The Christian Viewpoint 46
The Hidden Influence 48
Lewis and Science 51
3 Lewis Reaches Out to His World 56
The Redemption Story: Lewis’sSubtle Approach 58
The redemptionstory inThe Lion, theWitch
andthe Wardrobe 59
The redemptionstory inPerelandra 66
The myththat entered history 71
The Redemption Story: Lewis’sDirect Approach 73
God’sLife inUs 76
4 HumanityinGod’sCreation 81
The Makingof Humanity 82
Humans and Animals 85
Animals inthe Space Trilogy 88
The Biblical mandate 94
Humans and Angels 98
Fallen angels 98
Good angels 102
BetweenAnimals and Angels 104
5 Walking byFaith 105
The Mythof Cupid and Psyche
According to Apuleius 107
The MythAccording to Lewis 108
Contents vii
The Meaning ofthe Myth 116
Natural affection 116
The importance of faith 118
Reconciling faith and sight 119
6 God’sPlan for the Soul 122
The Goal of Sanctification 124
The Conceptof Purgatory 126
The Descent of Christ inThe Great Divorce 129
The Theologyof Purgatory inSeven Principles 131
The Descent of Christ inScripture 134
Applyingthe Seven Principles 138
Will all be saved? 138
Isthere asecond chance? 141
Beyond space and time 142
Respondingto truth 143
PurgatoryinScripture 147
Summary 148
7 God’sPlanfor theBody – andthe Universe 150
Resurrection of the Body 151
Resurrection and Creation 153
Judgment byFire 157
The Face of God 160
Conclusion:The Legacy of Lewis 164
Did Lewis Pass theTest? 164
The Impactof Lewis 167
ATheologyof Redemption 168
Bibliography 170
Index 172
Abbreviations
Lewis’s Works
AOM TheAbolitionofManorReflectionsonEducationwith
Special Reference to the Teaching of English in the
Upper Forms of Schools. New York: Macmillan,
1955 (1943).
BOX Boxen: The Imaginary World of the Young C. S.
Lewis. Walter Hooper, ed. San Diego: Harcourt
Brace, 1986(1985).
CR Christian Reflections. Walter Hooper, ed. Grand
Rapids:Eerdmans,1975 (1967).
CLII TheCollectedLettersofC.S.Lewis:Books,Broadcasts,
and the War 1931–1949. Vol. II. Walter Hooper,
ed.San Francisco: HarperSan Francisco, 2004.
FL The Four Loves. San Diego: Harcourt Brace, 1988
(1960).
GD The Great Divorce: A Dream. New York: Simon
& Schuster,1996(1946).
ListofAbbreviations ix
GID God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics.
Walter Hooper, ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
2001(1979).
GO A Grief Observed. By N. W. Clerk (Pseudonym).
New York:Seabury Press, 1961.
HHB TheHorseandHisBoy.Book5.NewYork:Collier
Books,1977 (1954).
L Letters of C. S. Lewis. Revised and Enlarged Edi-
tion. Walter Hooper, ed. San Diego: Harcourt
Brace, 1993 (1966).
LAL Letters to an American Lady (Mary Willis Shel-
burne). Clyde S. Kilby, ed. Grand Rapids: Eerd-
mans, 1967.
LB The Last Battle: A Story for Children. Book 7. New
York: Collier Books,1977 (1956).
LTM Letters to Malcomb: Chiefly on Prayer. San Diego:
HarcourtBrace, 1964.
LWW The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: A Story for
Children.Book1.NewYork:CollierBooks,1977
(1950).
M Miracles:APreliminaryStudy.NewYork:Macmil-
lan, 1965(1947).
MC Mere Christianity. New York: Macmillan, 1960
(1952).
MN TheMagician’sNephew.Book6.NewYork:Collier
Books,1977 (1955).
OOW OfOtherWorlds:EssaysandStories.WalterHooper,
ed.San Diego: Harcourt Brace, 1966.
OSP Out of the Silent Planet. New York: Macmillan,
1965(1938).
P Poems. Walter Hooper, ed. San Diego: Harcourt
Brace, 1992 (1964).
PC PrinceCaspian:TheReturntoNarnia.Book2.New
York: Collier Books,1977 (1951).