My reading this week is a new biography of CS Lewis: "A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet." Alister McGrath had done a pretty stunning job of telling the life of Lewis, and as I read I realise that my knowledge of Lewis was little more than an ice-berg-tip glance. This new book is a robust, revealing and captivating reflection, and even though I am just over half-way through, I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who might appreciate a deeper understanding of the man and his mission.
I have never before considered the chronology of Lewis' works. I realise now that I had once presumed that the Narnia works for which he is best known today were early in his writing career, and that the more theological and apologetic works came later. In fact the Narnia chronicles were late (1950-57), well after most of his books and radio broadcasts. The first of his well known works was The Problem of Pain, which is available at this link in its entirety as a printable pdf. You can get a few sample quotes from the book at this link.
Most of us think of pain and suffering as realities we have to get rid of or to avoid since these are so clearly an obstacle to human happiness. However our past experience also teaches us that in some of our most difficult and even traumatic moments, we have been overwhelmed by the greatest love and intimacy. Ironically the love and intimacy that we most desperately seek seems to come to us most fully in the midst of the pain and suffering that we try to avoid. So perhaps it is the presumptions we make about pain, and the meanings we attach to suffering that are a key part of the problem of pain? Maybe these terrible human realities are the very method that God is using to permeate our hearts and to flood us with love?
You might find Lewis' reflection helpful as you ponder this.
Most of us think of pain and suffering as realities we have to get rid of or to avoid since these are so clearly an obstacle to human happiness. However our past experience also teaches us that in some of our most difficult and even traumatic moments, we have been overwhelmed by the greatest love and intimacy. Ironically the love and intimacy that we most desperately seek seems to come to us most fully in the midst of the pain and suffering that we try to avoid. So perhaps it is the presumptions we make about pain, and the meanings we attach to suffering that are a key part of the problem of pain? Maybe these terrible human realities are the very method that God is using to permeate our hearts and to flood us with love?
You might find Lewis' reflection helpful as you ponder this.
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