Title: God in the Dock

Author: CS Lewis

Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (October 1994)

ISBN-10: 0802808689

ISBN-13: 978-0802808684

Summary:

God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics, is a collection of essays written by CS Lewis over the course of his life that examine  a wide range of issues, ranging from the ethical issue of vivisection,  to the importance of mythology, to the celebration of Christmas, to the reading of old books, to the still divisive issue of women as clergy.

 Review

God in the Dock is another discussion worthy collection of essays penned by CS Lewis. Much like Christian reflections, God in the Dock, and Of Other Worlds, was published posthumously by the Lewis Estates, collecting several of his essays that he wrote through out his life-time.

This book’s title comes from the eponymous essay, “God in the Dock”. The term comes from the courtroom usage of a trail. The Bench is where the judge sits, while the witness or person accused sits in the dock. In the essay, Lewis argues that in our day in age, we find ourselves examining God in the same way, wondering how a God who is good, and wonderful, and loving and merciful and compassionate can allow things like war , famine, disease, and poverty to exist.

It is certainly question that bears asking and that is the very same subject that many of these essays tackle. From essays on pain, to prayer, to the deity of Christ, to the incarnation, Lewis not only examines God and Christianity  and touch ethical issues like vivisection. This book also features and essay looking at the issue of Priestesses in the church, written back in 1948, an issue that still remains a hot-button item in many churches as they debate the role of women in the church.

Well some of the essays aren’t’ nearly s divisive, there are three that deal with the subject of Christmas and commercialism, and one on the importance of reading of old books, they all offer some food for thought. A few of the essays are even written in a dialogue style similar to the works of Aristotle and Plato where a “teacher” is having a discussion with a “student”. Another satirical essay, “Xmas and Christmas” is written like a lost chapter from a book by the historian Herodotus on the celebration of Christmas in England and brilliantly shows the juxtaposition or the “commercial” holiday versus the “true” holiday.

Two other unique essays in this book are the “short bits” which is a collection of essays Lewis started but never completed, and a reprint of a discussion Sherwood E. Wirt of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, that looks at the claims of Christ, the importance of coming to him, space travel, and  the then emerging Evangelical movement in America. The Discussion with Mr. Wirt also briefly highlights a meeting between CS Lewis and the Reverend Billy Graham and Lewis’s impressions of him.

Their certainly are some areas of controversy with this book. Perhaps the most controversial is that he also argues that mythology can help provide a good starting point for those who do not know Christ in his essay “The Grand Myth” as the myths contain many symbols that can point to Christ. Also he warns in his essay, “ The Dangers of National Repentance” that national repentance may actually be dangerous, as individuals may neglect to repent of their own personal sins and focus only on the much larger societal ills. In his essay on women clergy he also speaks out against the issue of having them serve in such a position.  These areas of controversy are certainly helpful s it can get us honestly talking about such things.

While to some there is certainly plenty of material in this book that is covered in some of Lewis’s other works, these essays are merely the framework for them. By reading this we get a much fuller picture of some of Lewis’ ideas. Once again, Lewis perfectly demonstrates in God in the Dock just why it is he is the undisputed “arm-chair theologian” of the 20^th century. His words in these essays are clear, concise, and still thought provoking and just as relevant today as they were when he first wrote them.

41/2 out of 5 shields.

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• Tumnus’s Book Shelf: The NarniaFans Book Reviews: “The Abolition of Man.”
• http://www.narniafans.com/?p=7153 Welcome to Tumnus’s Book Shelf where we review any and all books related to Narnia and CS Lewis! For this weeks review, we will be looking at CS Lewis’s A Grief Observed.

   

  Title: A Grief Observed
  Author: CS Lewis
  Publisher: HarperOne
  ISBN-10: 0060652381
  ISBN-13: 978-0060652388

  Summary:

   
  Written in the wake of the death of his wife Joy, CS Lewis’s A Grief Observed is a haunting, poignant and reverent recollection of one man’s journey through grief and recovery, and how his faith grew because of it. While the book has plenty of spiritual insights, it has many more insights into simply the human condition. Short, brief and to the point, this is not just the story of one man, but the story of humanity as it brilliantly captures grief every one goes through in the midst of a loss or separation of a loved one.

   

  Reviews:

  
  When this book was first published, CS Lewis submitted it under another Pen name, NW Clerk. The name itself comes from the old Anglo Saxon word meaning, “ I know not whom.” His reasons have well been documented. The book itself was essentially his journals he kept while grieving the death of his wife. He was concerned that readers would read the book and judge h him for his apparent lack of faith in the midst of a great personal crisis. Later, by the persuasion of his friends he published it under his own name.

  One can certainly understand why he would not want to publish it under his own name at first. In A Grief Observed, we see CS Lewis asking difficult questions. We see him wonder why God would allow him to fall in love, only to loose his wife. We do not see him lay out brilliant theological insights or expounding on doctrinal truths, at least not right away. Here, we see CS Lewis, less as a Titan of the apologetic world, and more of a broken man, similar to the Biblical character of Job, crying out to God and seeking answers.

  One of the most striking passages comes when CS Lewis addresses the idea of the consolations of religion. When he does they are very evident to the reader as the clever little aphorisms we toss around at funerals like ,” oh, don’t worry, you’ll see them again”, “ this too shall pass”, or “God has a plan.”

  Lewis retorts with, “ Talk to me about the truth of religion and I’ll listen gladly. Talk to me about the duty of religion and I’ll listen submissively. But don’t come talking to me about the consolations of religion or I shall suspect that you don’t understand.” To first time readers, they can be struck by this passage and ask, how could CS Lewis say that? Logically, he should take great comfort in knowing that.

  Here however, and through out the book, we come to understand this is not Lewis the apologeticist. writing, this, is Lewis the man. A normal, ordinary human like all of us .When he says this, and everything else in the book, we find ourselves thinking where have I heard this before? It is in that moment we discover, thoughts, questions and even doubts no different then our own. We see Lewis, asking his readers as we ask those around us when we grieve to listen to us. We see him asking, not for answers but simply to be comforted.

  We do see how God guides Lewis through his grief and come to terms with Joy’s death, though at the same time we still get the incredible sense that something has been lost that cannot be returned. This book, like many of Lewis’s other works draws you in immediately. However because this one is more autobiographical in nature it is considerably the most engrossing of his non-fiction works. His style, even when it is in the midst of grief is still clear and concise.

  This is with out a doubt, the best of CS Lewis’s non-fiction works. Readers are encouraged to read it a first time before grief strikes them and then read it again while grieving. This is in the end not just a book, but a map through the road of grief, and a mirror into the human condition.

  Five out of Five shields

  Order the book from Amazon.com

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  • Tumnus’s Book Shelf: The NarniaFans Book Reviews: “The Abolition of Man.”
  • C.S. Lewis Books receive new Cover Designs
  ]]> http://www.narniafans.com/archives/7153/feed 2 http://www.narniafans.com/archives/7077 http://www.narniafans.com/archives/7077#comments Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:34:58 +0000 Jonathon Svendsen http://www.narniafans.com/?p=7077 Hi, everybody.  Welcome  to Tumnus’s Book Shelf, where we review any and all books relating to CS Lewis and the Chronicles of Narnia . For today’s review, we will be looking at CS Lewis’ Christian Reflections.
  Title: Christian Reflections

  Author: CS Lewis

  Editor: Walter Hooper

  Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (January 1994)

  ISBN-10: 0802808697

  ISBN-13: 978-0802808691

   

  Summary:

  Here is a collection of the earliest short essay written by CS Lewis dealing with Christian doctrine, theology, and church traditions. Quick, concise, and to the point, they offer not only insights into many relevant topics, but show a glimpse at times of CS Lewis in his formative stages of his faith. We also get a rare glimpse of CS Lewis as a key writer of early sci-fi on the subject of space travel.

   

  Review:

  One thing that makes Christian reflections stand out so well, is the fact that largely many of the essays presented predate Lewis writing such notable works as Mere Christianity, Abolition of Man, and the rest of his works on theology and ethics . As such we see the ground work for many of his theological and ethical views.

  This collection itself was put together after his death and is wonderfully complied. The essay

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  • http://www.narniafans.com/?p=6926 Hey, Everbody!  Welcome back to Tumnus’s Book Shelf, where we review any and all books by and about CS Lewis and the land of Narnia. Today we will be reviewing CS Lewis’s Reflections on the Psalms.

    Title: Reflections on the Psalms

    Author: CS Lewis

    Publisher: Harvest Books

    ISBN-10:015676248X

    ISBN-13: 978-0156762489

     Summary:

    One of the more wittier works of literary analysis written by CS Lewis, this particular book covers the book of Psalms and examines them as literature . From the notions of death, blessings and curses that occur in the psalms, to the possible interpretations of the text, Reflecitions on the Psalms provides plenty of insights into the Bible’s great collection of ancient Hebrew hymns of worship.

     

    Review:

    Reflections in the Psalms is a wonderful mixture of both CS Lewis as  Christian thinker and CS Lewis as a literary scholar. Though it is true, that even in his apologetic works that he referred to great works of literature ( along with Scripture) it is very insightful to see him looking at a portion of scripture through the lens of literature. He admits early on that Reflections in the Psalms is not meant to be an “apologetic work” or a “scholarly work” It is not written or the literati or to preach to the unconverted. It is to essentially preach to the choir and engage in discussion with them about the Psalms.

    One thing that Lewis reminds us is that the Psalms, despite their brevity in their verses, are intended over all as songs to be sung in worship, not statements of doctrinal truth. After all, when Christ was tempted in the wilderness, Satan used the Psalms, whereas Christ refuted with the true doctrine of the law. It is through the context of the Psalms as songs of worship that he begins to examine them. He looks at all the intricate facets we find in these ancient Near Eastern poems and shows just how truly perplexing they are when taken in their whole context and not reduced to the bumper sticker slogans they have become.

    Lewis certainly does not look at things like pentameter, and structure in the Psalms ( as such things would be irrelvant with that form of poetry, especailly in an English translation of the Bible). He does look at however several reoccurring themes such as curses, blessings, death, nature, the beauty of the Lord, the ordinance of praise, and possible meanings to the Psalms. Lewis shares his own struggles with understanding the Psalms, which are struggles many readers have when they come across them, and also shares his insights into them.

    As this book is not meant to be a weighty theological book, or a work of apologetics, but rather a few brief reflections from one lay person to another, it is fairly easy and concise in terms of it’s readability.The chapters of this book are surprisingly short and refreshingly brief, which is just as well as analyzing literature at great lengths, can get rather dreary for non-literature majors. There is plenty of wit in this book, as well as wisdom. Also along with the Bible Lewis uses the Book of Common prayer as a resource.

    On a humorous note, in relation to the possible hidden meanings to the text, Lewis relating to his own work and allegorical meanings says that he has found some of them to be so ingenious and innovative that he wished that he himself thought of them.

    In all this is a most enjoyable read, and is sure to provide many more questions and discussions of the Psalms, and make readers look at them in a much broader frame of mind.

    Five out of Five Sheilds

    Buy the book from Amazon.com

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    • http://www.narniafans.com/?p=6834 Hey, everybody! Welcome to Tumnus’s Book Shelf where we reveiw any and all books dealing with CS Lewis and the Chronicles of Narnia. For today’s review, we will be covering CS Lewis’  The Abolition of Man.

       

      Title: The Abolition of Man

      Author: CS Lewis

      Publisher: HarperOne (March 20, 2001)

      ISBN-10: 0060652942

      ISBN-13: 978-0060652944

       

      Summary: Written in response to a book dealing with the teaching of the English language, CS Lewis sounds a call to the preservation of society, our past and most importantly our moral truths. Citing prominent ancient thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, Confucius and St .Augustine, Lewis reminds us that the chief purpose of education is to strengthen us not just intellectually but morally and emotionally.

      Review:

      Not all books by CS Lewis deal explicitly with the doctrines of Christianity. The Abolition of Man, is one such book. It deals with education, and it‘s role in teaching morals to young people. At a first glance of the title one may thing it is all about finding freedom in Christ from our bondage to sin. This book all begins with the subject of teaching the English language.

      CS Lewis wrote this book in response to a book that he called “ The Green Book” by Gaius and Titius, which upon investigation was actually a entitled The Control of Language: A Critical Approach to Reading and Writing by Alex King and Martin Ketley. This is a feature of the book that is most appealing. Unlike so many current authors who will use there works as a public forum to bash other writers view points, and can distract from the over all work, Lewis takes a higher ground and shares the ideas with out revealing the authors. It is just as well as it is very likely that the book in question is no longer in print as like most books on education it gets disregarded once new theories set in.

      Lewis was very displeased with “The Green Book” as it did not teach English grammar as it intended, but rather taught morals and schools of philosophy that he deemed dangerous. His book was meant to be the answer to that.

      While Abolition of Man partly deals with teaching English, it deals more with what education should be about, which is not only broadening minds, but passing on of moral truths. There are even several warnings in the book about the “danger” of progress with out morals and where some of it could lead us, replacing morals with science and disseminating the then growing trend of moral relativity.

      Lewis makes very few “Christian” statements about the Fall or Salvation. Lewis himself states that his book is not meant to direct any one towards a belief in God. He also quotes other sources such as ancient Norse, Egyptian, Chinese, Hindu proverbs and thinkers like Plato and Confucius to show how every ancient culture did believe in some form of absolute truth. He even appropriates the concept of the Tao- which according to Webster’s comes from the ancient Chinese word of Dao which loosely translated means the way, right way of life, or path of reason.”

      The book is very well written, but it does get a little long winded at times ( this was after all, one of the main reasons JRR Tolkien based Treebeard the Ent in Lord of the Rings of off CS Lewis.) Some readers have admitted having difficult with this book, mostly due to this aspect, as well as it’s lack of Christian doctrine. Becasue of this, the book istelf is best suited for older readers and is highly recommended for educators. It must be read more then once if readers wish to understand the meaning of Lewis’s arguments. The ideas, much like many of Lewis’s are meant to be discussed, especially in a world that desperately needs some moral fiber.

      4 out of 5 shields

      Order the book from Amazon.com

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      • Tumnus’s Book Shelf: The NarniaFans Book Reviews: ” Reflections on the Psalms.”
      • C.S. Lewis Books receive new Cover Designs
      ]]> http://www.narniafans.com/archives/6834/feed 1 http://www.narniafans.com/archives/6555 http://www.narniafans.com/archives/6555#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:12:36 +0000 Jonathon Svendsen http://www.narniafans.com/?p=6555 Hey, everybody! Welcome to Tumnus’s Book Shelf, where we review any and all books related to CS Lewis and the Chronicles of Narnia.  Today, we will be looking at CS Lewis’s  Of Other Worlds.

      
      Title: Of Other Worlds: Essays and Stories
      Author :CS Lewis
      Publisher: Harvest Books (October 28, 2002)
      ISBN-10: 0156027674
      ISBN-13: 978-0156027670

      Summary

      Collecting nine essays and some short pieces of fiction. Of Other Worlds examines the art of not only writing, but writing for children, and the nature of sci-fi, fantasy and the imagination, from one of it’s foremost authors: CS Lewis.

      Review:

      A year ago, my old college professor was going over some of manuscripts of a novel I am working on. One question he asked me was, “ Now what book, or books on the subject of writing would you rank as an essential to you on writing.”

      At the time I only listed books I was told to read for my college English courses and I think he could very well sense that as I did not give a concrete answer. Now, if he were to ask me again I would be able to list Of Other Worlds by CS Lewis with great confidence as one of them.

      It is easy to forget with his immense body of work dealing with apologetics, that Lewis wrote many more essays on other subjects. Some he wrote on education, others he wrote on something he enjoyed doing : writing. Of Other Worlds collects some of those forms of essays he wrote, and along with some of his short works of fiction provides us with a deeper look into his imagination

      Those looking for a theological point to this book will not find one .That is not the aim here. He is not trying to win souls over to Christ. He is not trying to defend the faith. He is simply truing to address the subject of stories, and writing. In a way Lewis provides for aspiring writers some helpful advice on the craft.

      That is not to say we do not get some helpful insights from him. We do, but it is more into his imaginary worlds and on the craft of writing. In his essay on “Writing for Children”, Lewis advises that we avoid “forcing” a message into a work and let it flow naturally. He advises instead of starting with a moral and working a story around it, we start with a story and let the moral come in naturally, other wise we only give the readers a platitude or a falsehood. We also learn in writing for children that to make a really good children’s story you simply put into it things you liked as a child and not to be concerned with what a “modern child may want or need”.

      Readers curious about the Chronicles of Narnia will also discover some surprising facts from Lewis himself. Namely that Lewis did not start out with a Bible verse in mind ( say John 3:16, and Romans 3:23 for example) or a Bible story, or a doctrinal truth, and worked the world of Narnia around it. He rather started with a picture in his head, not of Aslan, but, perhaps most shockingly, Tumnus the faun, followed by the White Witch in a sledge, and then the Lion. The ‘Allegorical’ aspects came later upon revision and as he moved further along in the work in general.

      There are also essays on Literary Criticism ( a field Lewis was leery of in his time, especially Freudian analysis), Science Fiction, and even a reply to a critic.

      As a bonus to the essays, four short works of Science fiction are also in this volume. The first three are the short stories, “ The Shoddy lands”, “ Ministering Angels” and “The Shape of Things To Come”. These three stories are very well written. “The Shoddy Lands” almost feels like an episode of the Twilight Zone or The Outer Limits in terms of it’s mind bending aspects, and Ministering Angels and the “Shape of Things To Come” come are on par with any short works by the other fathers of the Sci-Fi genre like Asimov, Clarke, and Bradbury.

      The last work of fiction, “After Ten Years” is an uncompleted manuscript for a novel Lewis was working on close to the time of his death. It tells the story of Menelaus from The Iliad reclaiming Helen of Troy and their journey back to Sparta. The story we encounter is very promising but is sadly cut much to short, leaving the readers craving more. It is a shame too, as it could easily have been even better than Till We Have Faces, which Lewis considered his greatest work of fiction.

      Two of the essays also remain unfinished, leaving much to be desired in terms of the conclusions .Just when Lewis is picking up steam, the essay is cut short and you are left desiring more. However two unfinished essays and one novel fragment to not deter from the over all quality of the collection itself very much.

      This book is highly recommended for aspiring authors, just as much for fans of Lewis. For those fans of Lewis you are certain to really enjoy the stories and gain some good insights into Lewis as a person and a writer, though they may not help win a theological debate. However, for the aspiring writer, you will find for yourself an indispensable book to help you learn how to be a better writer.

      4 out of 5 shields.

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      • http://www.narniafans.com/?p=3762 Hey, everybody! Welcome to a very special Valentines Day Edition of Tumnus’s Book Shelf where we review any and all books related to Narnia and CS Lewis. Today we will be looking at CS Lewis’s The Four Loves.
        
        Title: The Four Loves.

        Author: CS Lewis

        Publisher: Harcourt (November 7, 1991)

        ISBN-10: 0151329168

        ISBN-13: 978-0151329168

        Summary of the book:

        In The Four Loves, CS Lewis examines the different types of love that human beings can experience, from simple affection, to friendship, to Eros, and finally and most importantly, the love of God.

        Review of the Book:

        Perhaps one of the most profound mysteries in all the universe, is that of love. It is a strange thing, of course, that the English language should only have one word for to describe something with so many facets. However, CS Lewis was one of only a few writers, who looked at these facets in his book, The Four Loves.

        If one considers his marriage to Joy Davidman, his undying loyalty to the family of his war-time buddy Paddy Moore, and his almost now legendary friendship with the likes of JRR Tolkien, and Charles Williams, Lewis is one of the best authors to look at love, because he knew it in all it‘s forms. The most surprising aspect of course is that a lot of what he says is perhaps more relevant today then it was when he first wrote the book.

        The four loves that Lewis examines are “Affection”, “Friendship”, “Eros” and “Charity.” He very carefully looks at all the virtues of these four loves as well as the weaknesses the first three posses from the pride and exclusion of others that can occur in friendship, to the jealousy and the brevity that is present in Eros. None of them are able to come of as completely flawless as love is after all they a feelings felt by humans. It is only Charity, or Agape, which is completely flawless.

        The chapter on Friendship leaves readers with much to think on. Lewis writes that friendship is very rarely thought of as a love The same could be said of in today’s world as it was then. Friendship is so often looked down upon and regarded as inferior to romance, but Lewis reminds us that Christ refers to us as friends. He also points out that if Christ was the one who chose us, then perhaps, at least for Christians, Christ chose our friends for us. JRR Tolkien and Charles Williams are even mentioned in this essay as “Ronald” ( which Tolkien had preferred to go by) and “Charles”.

        To some on a first glance in his chapter on Eros, they may think Lewis has a very negative view on romance. I know I did the first time I read it. However, his point in that chapter is not to condemn romance, as much as condemn the  desire for Eros with out love for the person. In a culture that is increasingly preoccupied with such desires, we need to be reminded of what should be at it’s very core, which is love for the person themselves and not the desire.

        In the final chapter, “Charity” Lewis encourages us that we need to avoid loving others or try not to give our hearts away as to love anything, even an animal is to be open to pain. In fact he warns against it as to try to make oneself incapable of giving or receiving love is to in effect make one’s heart like Hell. He reminds us that to love anything is to be vulnerable, and that it is only by divine love, the love of God, that we can experience love to it’s fullest. We come away being reminded that love itself is a divine attribute.

        To some readers, especially those who are seeking a more “emotional” look at love, this book may not be the one for them on the subject as it is very much an analytical and intellectual work. However, like faith itself, love needs to be looked at thoughtfully. However, as Lewis points out in the very end, where a better book would begin, his ends as he was not sure if he had yet fully experienced that final love, as much as just received mere tastes of it. The fact of the matter still remains that no amount of reading or intellect can fully explain love, it is something that needs to be felt and experienced.

        Despite the intellectual basis for the book, Lewis’s writing style in this word does not seem to dry or boring. The same level of wit is present in this book and despite it’s title, there is just enough of that wit, along with a keen analytical focus to help the seemingly sugary substance of a book on love go down well for readers turned off to the emotion. As usual he cites plenty of scriptural and literary sources to back his claims including George Orwell’s 1984, and Jane Austen.

        Much like love itself, this book should be fully experienced and any one who is at least in High School and experiencing their first real crush would do well to read it. It is perhaps, one of the best books on the subject of love, after the Bible of course, especially because Lewis does not give readers any of the forced and cliché sentiments about love that are present in today’s society. In reading this book one can realize just how complex and profound love really is, and that nothing, not even the greatest poem or love ballad, can fully describe it.

        Five out of Five shields.

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        ]]> http://www.narniafans.com/archives/3762/feed 2 http://www.narniafans.com/archives/3680 http://www.narniafans.com/archives/3680#comments Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:13:19 +0000 Jonathon Svendsen http://www.narniafans.com/?p=3680 Welcome to Tumnus’s Book Shelf where we review any and all books related to The Chronicles of Narnia and CS Lewis! For today’s book we will be covering CS Lewis’s The Weight of Glory.

        Title of Book Weight of Glory

        Author of Book : CS Lewis

        Publisher: Harper One

        ISBN-10: 0060653205

        ISBN-13: 978-0060653200

         

        Summary of the Book:

        The Weight of Glory collects nine different sermons  or lectures given by CS Lewis. Some of things Lewis addressess are the importance of theology in “Is Theology Poetry?”, examining what true glory is in “The Weight of Glory” ( for which this collection is named for), and showing how forgiveness of sins is different from excusing them in “On Forgiveness”. Many more insights lie in store in for readers to discover in this collection.

        Review of the Book:

        Besides being a celebrated author of science fiction and fantasy, as well a noted lay theologian, CS Lewis was also a prominent speaker. Many of his essays were actually the transcripts of speeches or sermons he gave. Weight of Glory is one such book that collects these sermons and addresses that he gave. This work is not as well known or quoted as some of the rest of Lewis’s non-fiction like Mere Christianity, Miracles or Problem of Pain, but it continues to show the same careful levels of insight, intellect and deep faith that are present in the other “major works”.

        This of course means that they are not really “essays” in the strict sense as much as his transcripts for his speeches. Some allusions and points he made may be lost on modern readers. To Lewis’s contemporaries he was addressing them in a very typical manner of the day. Now, he seems somewhat removed from us, especially when he quotes things like Tolstoy or other classical works, which many modern speakers seldom attempt.

        Because of this, their is no linear theme in Weight of Glory. Where as his other works such as Mere Christianity, dealt with specific areas of Christian doctrine, or The Four Loves deals with love, Weight of Glory deals with various topics. In Weight of Glory the essays can deal with any subject , ranging from the topics of forgiveness and theology, to even a more politically based essay on pacifism.

        This is actually an advantage of the book, as readers do not have to read the essays in the order they appear and can skip around much easier. Lewis is not trying to build up any arguments in this book. While at times he certainly does deal with similar topics to those he addressed in other works, these essays get right to the point with a thesis, supporting claims, and conclusion.

        Some things he talks about may be difficult for some readers to swallow. His essay on pacifism, in particular can be hard for many to handle, especially when he addresses “turning the other cheek“ in “Why I Am Not a Pacifist”. While  he does not refute the command of Jesus to “turn the other cheek” , he instead looks at what it really means  and essentially dismisses any ideas of Christians needing to be doormats.

        Since these essays are written to be read, Lewis’s voice shows up once again. One almost wishes for full audio copies of these, just to hear him present them as he originally intended them to be. None the less, his insights and his wit all show up on page just as easily as they would if one were to have heard the addresses themselves. His words in turn are just as important today as when he first delivered them. So sit back, pick up the Weight of Glory, and just picture yourself in a church in England. The sermon is just about to start, and today we are fortunate to have it given by CS Lewis. I am sure you will learn a lot from what he has to say.

        Five out of Five shields.

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        ]]> http://www.narniafans.com/archives/3680/feed 1 http://www.narniafans.com/archives/2877 http://www.narniafans.com/archives/2877#comments Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:01:47 +0000 Jonathon Svendsen http://www.narniafans.com/?p=2877

        Welcome to Tumnus’s Book Shelf where we review any and all books related to The Chronicles of Narnia and CS Lewis! For today’s book we will be reviewing Tales Before Narnia, edited by Douglas Anderson.

        Title: Tales Before Narnia

        Author: Various

        Edited by: Douglas A. Anderson

        Publisher: Del Ray

        ISBN -10: 0345498909

        ISBN -13: 978-0345498908

        Summary:

        From Douglas Anderson, editor of Tales Before Tolkien, comes a new book that contains short stories and excerpts of works from authors who influenced Narnia’s creator CS Lewis. From works of the renowned authors like Hans Christian Andersen, Charles Dickens, and JRR Tolkien to the more seemingly obscure like Freidrich de la motte Fouque, Tales Before Narnia is not just a collection of stories compiled in celebration of the land Narnia and her creator, but of classic fantasy literature in general.

        Review:

        I will make one promise to you in this review. I will not use the word “literary resource,” in describing it. While it certainly is that, to call Tales Before Narnia a resource is to rob this book of it’s beauty and confine it to the halls of the long forsaken literature departments of college campuses where only a handful of students still roam. I will not call it an anthology either, as that can carry connotations of the book being a stuffy, lofty tome, that is accessible only for those who know and care about the subject.

        Then what word can I use to describe this book? It’s fun! How else can one describe a collection of twenty enchanting stories? If the Narnian Chronicles are like the big Wardrobe in the Spare Room that can take you to Narnia, this book of tales is like the wood between the worlds that can take you to the other worlds that are connected to Narnia.

        Even apart from it’s tie in to Narnia, it is still a wonderfully complied collection of stories. From the notable writers like “JRR Tolkien”, “Charles Dickens”, “Robert Louis Stevenson”, “Kenneth Graham”, “Hans Christian Andersen”, “GK Chesterton“ “ George MacDonald”, “Rudyard Kippling” and “ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow” to the ones whose names are not as revered like “Charles F. Hall”, and “Freidrich de la motte Fouqu”e , each story is equally worthy of being next to each other and can keep a reader entranced.

        Certainly, not all the stories that appear in the book seem like Narnia or the things Lewis wrote. They aren’t suppose to. Each story is as unique and original as Lewis’s own work. The main idea of the book is to show what stories inspired Lewis as a writer and fed his own imagination. The styles are all different as are the characters and worlds, but the fantastic elements are what unite the whole volume.

        Fantasy stories of other worlds and magical tales of daring do aren’t the only stories that show up in this book. Early “whispers” of Wind in the Willows are also included as well as two often forgotten works that deal with Hell and demons that predate Screwtape’s correspondence with his blundering nephew Wormwood.

        The book contains several header notes about the writers, there lives and how they influenced Lewis. Perhaps the most surprising inclusion is an excerpt of fiction by William Lindsay Gresham, Joy Gresham’s ex-husband. Readers will be surprised to find out that Lewis corresponded with him following Joy’s death and had meet him.

        I cannot go into great lengths summarizing and analyzing every story in here. Each work, and the writers who wrote them would deserve their own review, as it should be. However, as a whole, Douglas Anderson did a great job not only gathering all these stories but doing his research into the stories to provide footnotes and heading notes. The notes themselves are quick and to the point, and don’t bog down the reading.

        The only gripe concerning this book, is that readers are led to believe that these stories had all directly inspired Lewis’s work. This is not the case, and the author even makes it clear that with one story,  ”Fastosus and Avaro” by John Macgowan, that Lewis was not familiar with the story. However, the main point of the book is not only to show what stories inspired Lewis but to show existing stories with in the genres that Lewis made his impact upon. Overall, this factor is only a minor gripe and does not distract from the book overall.

        For those whose appetites have merely been whetted by this book, Anderson provides an index of writers and their works. Only half of the authors listed are actually featured in this book, and it is just as well as if every author included in the index where in the book, it would be the size of a college English text book. It can only make readers hope for a second book of  Tales Before Narnia. If no such book surfaces, then at least readers can go to a book store or library and check out those books for themselves. Ater all, what would be a better way to spend a rainy afternoon then at the library brushing up on some great works of speculative fiction?

        This book is definitely one book that will have something for every one, whether you are an eight year old fan or an eighty year old fan of Lewis, you are sure to get something out of this book. For those who grew up reading the authors featured in this book, it will be nothing short of a stroll down memory lane with some old forgotten friends and an opportunity to make some new ones. For kids, well, here is one fine set of stories for mom and dad to read to you at bed-time.

        Reviewers note: if you enjoy this book, since there is so much overlap between fans of Narnia and Lord of the Rings, fans are encouraged to pick up the companion book Tales Before Tolkien.

        Five out of Five

        Order the book from http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Before-Narnia-Fantasy-Science/dp/0345498909/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231463851&sr=8-1

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        • http://www.narniafans.com/?p=2810 The Problem of Pain.]]>

          The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis

          Welcome to Tumnus’s Book Shelf where we review any and all books related to The Chronicles of Narnia and CS Lewis! For today’s book we will be covering CS Lewis’s The Problem of Pain.

          Title: Problem of Pain

          Author: CS Lewis
          Publisher: HarperOne
          ISBN-10: 0060652969
          ISBN-13: 978-0060652968

          Summary:

          From the question of God’s omnipotence and his love, to the topics of Heaven and Hell, and the pains of animals, CS Lewis examines the age old philosophical quandary of the problem of pain. Brushed with his usual style and loaded with “hard stuff”, Problem of Pain, examines not only the very nature of human suffering and God’s love for us, but the necessity of pain.

          Review:

          Ever since we were all small children we have always wondered why some things in life have to hurt so much. Be it getting a shot at the doctors, having teeth pulled, to saying good bye to a friend, or loosing a lover, there are just some things in life that are simply ‘painful”. We all want to know simply why must there be pain in this world, and better yet, why would a good God allow pain?

          CS Lewis was certainly not the first author to attempt to address the question and nor will he be the last. But he was certainly one of the best persons to deal with it. He lost his mother at a young age, and later would encounter that same feeling as his beloved wife would die. A veteran of World War I, Lewis was wounded in combat, and saw many of his close friends fall, including one of his best friends, Paddy Moore, and saw many other war time horrors. Who better to try an unravel the mysteries of pain and suffering then some one who went through one of the 20^th centuries bloodiest wars?

          Lewis carefully looks at the various aspects of suffering, from the pains of humans, to physical pain, to the pains of animals, and finally Heaven and Hell. The chapter on animal pain is by no means completely conclusive, as it is impossible for a human to completely understand what an animal is thinking or feeling, but considering Lewis is known for making an imaginary country were animals can talk it is not surprising. At the same time, I think anyone who seriously loves animals, especially their pets, is going to ask about that.

          The most notable aspect of this book is Lewis’ profound statement on pain, that it is God’s way of rousing our attention and trying to get us to let go of this world. So many people, when thinking about pain, simply say, “ don’t worry, God has a plan, it will work out in the end.” This answer that Lewis gives is something so different. Instead of trying to glibly assure readers of a happy life on this Earth, Lewis tries to remind us of a better life in Heaven.

          Lewis doesn’t shy away from the difficult aspects of pain, namely that many wonder how a “good God” who is so loving can allow pain. He tackles the questions and answers them as only Lewis could try to do. Reading it, you honestly have the feeling he knows what he is talking about. This is furthered by the fact he cites scriptures, and numerous church fathers to back his claims.

          Due to the subject matter, while Lewis’s writing style is certainly present,   this book is much harder to get through than the rest of Lewis’s non-fiction. Pain is a difficult thing to think about. When you are going through a time of great happiness, you don’t want to think of pain. More importantly, we don’t want to think of Hell. Hell itself has been all but expelled from Christian doctrine as it is seen as too harsh. Lewis deals with Hell full on as well as Heaven and reminds us that we are not made for a place like Hell and that those sufferings we experience are to ward us off from going there.

          Lewis also reminds us that pain is inevitable in life. Readers hoping for Lewis to give an easy answer to the problem of pain will not find it here. They will simply find another one of their fellow human beings seeking to understand the human condition, and doing it quite eloquently.

          Does CS Lewis come to a satisfactory answer for the Problem of Pain ? That is up to the individual reader. Certainly, this book did not garner it’s writer a Nobel Peace Prize. That is not what Lewis intended. He just sought to understand pain and suffering and share that understanding with us. We will always be struggling with the questions of pain and suffering until Christ returns, but with the help Lewis’s wit and wisdom we can at least try to understand it a bit better.

          4 ½ out of 5 shields.

          Order the book from Amazon.com

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