C.S. Lewis
Why is it that Lewis is the greatest author ever?
Is it because he so effectively, as he called it, "redeemed" different genres of literature: the short story, the science fiction novel, the children's story, fiction, non-fiction, prose. He was a master of the airwaves and of the pen. He taught by allegory, by speeches, by academic articles, by radio talks, by lectures. Truly a versatile wit.
The prolific nature of his writings also lends itself to praise: reading the "complete works of Lewis" would be a task indeed.
Another feather in his cap, the man wrote for everyone: children, adolescents, lay people,
professors; the hurting, the joyful, the questioning, the knowledgeable and the beginners. Never does he seem condescending; indeed, as he said in "On Stories", "No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally (and often far more) worth reading at the age of fifty - except, of course, books of information." To Lewis, good literature is good literature. And the Narnia chronicles are just that. In fact, I would pay good money to find a better series of books that can be so enjoyed in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, on so many levels.
Lewis also addressed so many topics, even in just his fiction. Just a short list: government systems in Voyage of the Dawn Treader; the Adam and Eve story in The Magician's Nephew; the Greatest Story in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; perseverence and friendship through great adversity in The Last Battle; faithfulness and trust in The Silver Chair; acceptance and tolerance of gender and station in The Horse and His Boy. Lewis also tackled the "diamond in the rough" story over and over: Edmund in the first novel, Caspian as the untried king in his novel, Eustace in the Dawn Treader. The unlikely heroes: David and Goliath themes run throughout his works (especially in the space trilogy).
Lewis took on the conventional epic journey in Dawn Treader, redeeming that genre (like Bunyan, but he's for another time).
So, what makes C. S. Lewis the greatest author? Well, I'll tell you: no one makes me long for heaven more, nor makes me more thankful that I have time left here to work for the kingdom. I love Ransom, who is shocked, and rather infuriated, to find that he is Maledil's representative, that the fate of Perelandra rests on him, that Maledil had chosen to work through him for His own glory.
Paige (Benton) Brown, in her Road to Emmaus lecture on evangelism, gives an incredible defense of evangelism, given that God is sovereign. She argues that evangelism without God's sovereignty would be an exercise in futility: how can anyone convince or connive another into the kingdom? Thank the Lord that He is the author and perfector of our faith: if it rested on us, we should be in very poor hands.
Praise the Lord for a teacher like Lewis: the man had a powerful gift which has so encouraged me and blessed me.
Is it because he so effectively, as he called it, "redeemed" different genres of literature: the short story, the science fiction novel, the children's story, fiction, non-fiction, prose. He was a master of the airwaves and of the pen. He taught by allegory, by speeches, by academic articles, by radio talks, by lectures. Truly a versatile wit.
The prolific nature of his writings also lends itself to praise: reading the "complete works of Lewis" would be a task indeed.
Another feather in his cap, the man wrote for everyone: children, adolescents, lay people,
professors; the hurting, the joyful, the questioning, the knowledgeable and the beginners. Never does he seem condescending; indeed, as he said in "On Stories", "No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally (and often far more) worth reading at the age of fifty - except, of course, books of information." To Lewis, good literature is good literature. And the Narnia chronicles are just that. In fact, I would pay good money to find a better series of books that can be so enjoyed in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, on so many levels.
Lewis also addressed so many topics, even in just his fiction. Just a short list: government systems in Voyage of the Dawn Treader; the Adam and Eve story in The Magician's Nephew; the Greatest Story in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; perseverence and friendship through great adversity in The Last Battle; faithfulness and trust in The Silver Chair; acceptance and tolerance of gender and station in The Horse and His Boy. Lewis also tackled the "diamond in the rough" story over and over: Edmund in the first novel, Caspian as the untried king in his novel, Eustace in the Dawn Treader. The unlikely heroes: David and Goliath themes run throughout his works (especially in the space trilogy).
Lewis took on the conventional epic journey in Dawn Treader, redeeming that genre (like Bunyan, but he's for another time).
So, what makes C. S. Lewis the greatest author? Well, I'll tell you: no one makes me long for heaven more, nor makes me more thankful that I have time left here to work for the kingdom. I love Ransom, who is shocked, and rather infuriated, to find that he is Maledil's representative, that the fate of Perelandra rests on him, that Maledil had chosen to work through him for His own glory.
Paige (Benton) Brown, in her Road to Emmaus lecture on evangelism, gives an incredible defense of evangelism, given that God is sovereign. She argues that evangelism without God's sovereignty would be an exercise in futility: how can anyone convince or connive another into the kingdom? Thank the Lord that He is the author and perfector of our faith: if it rested on us, we should be in very poor hands.
Praise the Lord for a teacher like Lewis: the man had a powerful gift which has so encouraged me and blessed me.
posted by Annie @ 10:04 PM
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