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One of the marks of a great evangelizer is the ability to communicate with clarity and logic. But
how does one develop these skills?
Dr. Peter Kreeft is one of the great master communicators of modern times. To become
effective communicators, Kreeft recommends that we steep ourselves in the writings of
gifted Christian communicators; one of whom, according to the eminent Boston College
professor, is C.S. Lewis.
A Great Influence
It is hard to find an apologist in the Church today who has not been influenced by the works of
C.S. Lewis. Not only is Lewis a good writer — but he is also a powerful writer, and has brought
many people into the Catholic Church through his works. The peculiar thing is — Lewis was not
a Catholic himself.
He was, however, “near” the Catholic Church. His biographer, Joseph Pearce explains in his
article, C.S. Lewis and Catholic Converts:
“He believed in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, which he referred to as the Blessed
Sacrament; he practiced auricular confession; he vehemently opposed female ordination,
condemning in forthright terms the danger of having “priestesses in the Church”; he declared his
belief in purgatory and in the efficacy of praying for the dead; and, last but not least, he crusaded
against the errors and heresies of theological modernism. It is perhaps, therefore, not so surprising
that C.S. Lewis has ushered so many people into the Catholic Church.”
The influential Catholic apologists and evangelists who were influenced in their conversions to
the Catholic Church by this great Anglican writer are many. Some include Fr. Dwight
Longenecker, Mark Brumley, Francis Beckwith, Carl Olson and Al Kresta (more here).
Thus, it is clear that the best way to learn anything is to learn from the best of the best; and
Lewis is doubtless one of the best of the best in the area of Christian thought and apologetics.
But how does one even begin with such a intellectual giant as Lewis?
Here are some suggestions you might draw from to get started (in no particular order):
I must note, however, that there are modern discrepancies about which order the books should
be read. There is an answer, however.
As an introduction to the series and for further insight into why heeding this particular order is
so important, read Steve Greydanus’ article, There’s only one right order to read the ‘Narnia’
books.
Read his biography, C.S. Lewis & The Catholic Church by Joseph Pearce
For an introduction to his personal correspondence, popular Catholic blogger Brandon Vogt,
who is well-versed in the life and works of Lewis, suggests beginning with Yours,
Jackor Collected Letters: Volume 3.
We must, then, have patience and perseverance as we begin to unpack the brilliance of this
man’s works.
For compilations of Lewis’ essays to get you started, I recommend God In The Dock, Christian
Reflections and The Weight Of Glory.
Read his popular work, Reflections on the Psalms. His reflections will enrich your experience
of these beautiful and timeless prayers that come to us straight from the Word of God.
It has been said that G.K. Chesterton baptized the intellect of C.S. Lewis. According to Lewis
himself, Chesterton’s popular apologetical work, The Everlasting Man, was a key influence in
his conversion from atheism. Lewis, thus, became a lifelong fan of Chesterton and was formed
by his works for the remainder of his life.
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By extracting essential passages from Lewis’ writings and teaming up with some of the
clearest minds today to unpack them, you are sure to get a firmer grasp on his works as a
whole.
I cannot think of anywhere better to start, than with these two fantastic Catholic philosophers:
You may also want to read some more informal personal reflections on the life, writings and
thought of C.S. Lewis by today’s best Lewis scholars — one of whom is (yes, you guessed it)
Dr. Peter Kreeft. Here is an interview done with Kreeft. The topic: C.S. Lewis.
Read his books. Struggle through them. Smart people read smart books, and smart books are
rarely easy to read no matter the level of one’s intellect. But just because something is hard
work does not mean it can’t be useful and gratifying.
Mere Christianity
Abolition of Man
Then read them again. I once heard a Catholic scholar I admire immensely, say: “People often
think you can tell a lot about a person by what books they have read. I say, however, that you
can tell a lot about a person by what books they’ve read twice.” And I concur.
Once you’ve read the three books above — and read them again — then consider moving into
these other non-fiction writings:
Miracles
A Grief Observed
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