Sehnsucht I. The Idea of Joy Fundamental to Lewis’ life was the idea of longing or Sehnsucht (p. 7) -- a creature longing for eternity. Consider autumn as an idea (p. 16). And northernness may take some explaining (p. 17). II. Trying to Be a Christian Lewis was brought up in … [Read more...]
Presuppositions
Miracles I. The Issue of Presuppositions A. In this book Lewis comes closest to what might be called a presuppositional apologetic. When unbelievers behave themselves, he is evidentialist. When they do not, he becomes a radical presuppositionalist. B. He understands the power … [Read more...]
Abolition of Man
The Abolition of Man I. The Issue of Education A. The Abolition of Man is a book about education, and about the subtlety of propaganda. B. "I doubt whether we are sufficiently attentive to the importance of elementary textbooks" (p. 13). C. Lewis is greatly concerned here … [Read more...]
Pilgrim’s Regress
The Pilgrim's Regress I. Puritania A. Puritania is populated by good and decent people who do not really believe everything they are talking about. The formal position is very strict, but the informal position is conducive to what we are pleased to call reality. B. "I hope," … [Read more...]
Discarded Image
The Discarded Image I. A Bookish Cosmology A. The medieval mind was one which represented a literate culture which had lost most of its books. Consequently, they had to make do with what few books they had. This meant that they were not quick to set their books at odds with one … [Read more...]
Great Divorce
The Great Divorce I. The Scenario A. A number of shades in Hell are standing in line, waiting for a bus, which will in turn take them up to the heavenly regions. They are met by various heavenly spirits, and the book regards the conversations between the potentially damned and … [Read more...]
The Silver Chair
The Silver Chair I. The Scenario A. The Silver Chair is the sixth of seven stories popularly called the Narnia Chronicles. The stories generally have a lot more in them than is commonly assumed. B. In this story, two children from our world-Jill and Eustace-are taken into … [Read more...]
Pale Madness
Wisdom forsaken and folly embraced, Folly conceives and bears idiot children, Stubborn in creed and in mulish confession, They cling to the death of their civilization. Staggering, falling and groping through dark, Her poets and sages and pundits declare Freedom as glory … [Read more...]
Descent
Descending out of heaven Into Minneapolis, I saw outside the plane A hard, bright autumn. Far below, a parking lot, Crammed with automobiles, Flared with momentary glory Like Hopkins’ shook foil. … [Read more...]
Reconciliation
Something glittered in the sandy bank. Gull circled noisily, but no one else was there. More than a breeze was off the bay, But the clouds were motionless, Unaware of the bite below. Scattered reeds bent back toward the cottages, The early sunlight was bitter still. Sand … [Read more...]