Category: C.S. Lewis & the Inklings

C.S. Lewis on Xmas

On By robstroudIn C.S. Lewis & the Inklings, Christianity, The Modern Church20 Comments

Advent has begun! As the Christian Church celebrates its “New Year,” it’s fun to look at C.S. Lewis’ essay, “Xmas and Christmas: A Lost Chapter from Herodotus.” He describes the predicament of secularized western civilization. Reversing the spelling of “Britain,” Lewis points out how a new holiday has displaced a profound holy-day.

In the middle of winter when fogs and rains most abound, [the Niatirbians] have a great festival called Exmas, and for 50 days they prepare for it (in the manner which is called,) in their barbarian speech, the Exmas Rush.

When the day of the festival comes, most of the citizens, being exhausted from the (frenzies of the) Rush, lie in bed till noon. But in the evening they eat five times as much as on other days, and crowning themselves with crowns of paper, they become intoxicated. And on the day after Exmas, they are very grave, being internally disordered by the supper and the drinking and the reckoning of how much they have spent on gifts and on the wine.

A few among the Niatirbians have also a festival, separate and to themselves, called Crissmas, which is on the same day as Exmas. And those who keep Crissmas, doing the opposite to the majority of Niatirbians, rise early on that day with shining faces and go before sunrise to certain temples where they partake of a sacred feast.

But as for what Hecataeus says, that Exmas and Crissmas are the same, this is not credible. It is not likely that men, even being barbarians, should suffer so many and so great things (as those involved in the Exmas Rush), in honor of a god they do not believe in.

Niatirb might just as well be the Setats Detinu. We see the same signs all around us. One shocking fact is how the secular seasonal movies now do not even feel compelled to offer the slightest nod to the true meaning of the season. Santa, for many, has utterly eclipsed the Babe in the manger. And “Christ” has literally been crossed out of Xmas.

May this entertaining portrait remind each of us of the true significance of the approaching season. And, may God also use the season of Advent to prepare our individual hearts to receive the most priceless and precious Christmas gift ever given.

Alone—With God

On By robstroudIn C.S. Lewis & the Inklings, Christianity, The Ancient Church6 Comments

“In prayer God shows himself to us. That he answers prayers is a corollary—not necessarily the most important one—from that revelation.” (C.S. Lewis, “The Efficacy of Prayer”)

Most people think of prayer primarily as a (frequently formal) conversation in which we appeal to God for particular blessings—followed by his response with a “yes,” “no,” or “not yet.” The formulation might look like this: Human Petition = Divine Response.

While prayer truly is a conversation with our Creator . . . this simplistic view is incomplete. In focusing on the answer, it misses out on the holy awe of being in the presence of God itself. C.S. Lewis grasps this precious truth. “In prayer God shows Himself to us.”

I was chatting with my grandson the other day. He’s home on leave from his assignment at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa. Andrew was describing how his Christian lifestyle has isolated him from many of his fellow airmen. They sometimes ridicule him for his chastity and can’t fathom his choice not to squander his time at the club.

But Andrew also shared with me how the ostracism has positively impacted his spiritual life. He’s discovered deep joy in spending time alone with the Lord. He’s active in church worship too, of course, but he also enjoys his time alone. And that is a spiritual epiphany for a gregarious young man who is intensely social by nature.

He shared with me this verse from a song by a contemporary Christian band we both enjoy:

“Loneliness and solitude are two things not to get confused ’cause I spend my solitude with You.” (Reliant K, Lyrics from “Therapy”)

I hear in these words an echo of Lewis’ insight. As Christians, we are never alone. And sometimes in “solitude” we experience the most amazing intimacy a human being can ever know.

Addendum:

True . . . God is ever with us. As Saint John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople, said: “Quietude in solitude is no small teacher of virtue.”

Veterans Day: Joyous or Somber?

On By robstroudIn C.S. Lewis & the Inklings, Military Musings, Theological Matters1 Comment

Much of the world commemorates Armistice Day, or as it has come to be known in the United States, Veterans Day. It is fitting to offer thanks for those who have gone to war to defend our freedoms, especially those who sacrificed their lives in that cause.

C.S. Lewis was a veteran of the “war to end all wars.” He was recuperating from severe battle wounds in an army hospital when WWI came to its conclusion. Just a few days after the Armistice, he wrote to his father:

As to the great news which is uppermost in our minds, I can only echo what you have already said. The man who can give way to mafficking [celebrating with boisterous public demonstrations] at such a time is more than indecent—he is mad. I remember five of us at Keble, and I am the only survivor: I think of Mr. Sutton, a widower with five sons, all of whom have gone. One cannot help wondering why.

Lewis knew what all veterans of war have learned. War is a terrible thing. It is something to be avoided whenever possible . . . but there are some things even worse than war. And in those circumstances, when war becomes the necessary lesser evil, it is never something to be celebrated. Innocents die in war. Innocence dies in war.

Yes, it is certainly good to express our appreciation to the veterans who have counted the cost and served in uniform. But we should do so with sober, deep and quiet gratitude.

Sharing Surnames

On By robstroudIn C.S. Lewis & the Inklings, Christianity, Likely Useless Trivia1 Comment

“‘It isn’t Narnia, you know,’ sobbed Lucy. ‘It’s you. We shan’t meet you there [again]. And how can we live, never meeting you?’

‘But you shall meet me, dear one,’ said Aslan.

‘Are—are you there too, Sir?’ said Edmund.

‘I am,’ said Aslan. ‘But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.’”

C.S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

 Names are precious, and the way that others who share your name bring to it honor or dishonor is important. As Ecclesiastes says, “A good name is better than precious ointment . . .”

I may be more sensitive to this truth than most people, because I grew up with a modestly (in)famous name. Fewer people recognize the link today, since the Burt Lancaster film that publicized the Birdman of Alcatraz is rarely aired. When I was a kid, it seemed to be run annually, like the Wizard of Oz, and I invariably could count on someone making the name connection every time it ran.

Actually, it wasn’t all that bad. Lancaster’s portrayal of the compassionate inmate was extremely sympathetic. The connection didn’t bother me much. Well, not until I read about the genuine Robert Stroud. Not quite as appealing a human being. Enough said.

Anya Stroud, WarriorIf you conduct some web searches on variations of your family name, you’ll be surprised what you find. I recently came across a fictional “relative” named Anya Stroud. She looks like someone you’d like to have at your side in an apocalyptic battle, doesn’t she? I understand she is a resident of just such a violent world, in the game system she inhabits.

Returning though to the real world . . . what we do with our name means a great deal to others who share it, especially to our family. Perhaps most of all, to our descendants. Much better for them to look back upon an honorable and godly ancestor rather than a vile example of unredeemed humanity.

And there is another aspect to guarding our name. One of the names followers of Jesus are known by is “Christian.” This is the most precious name we can hold. It is because of this name we can approach our Creator and call him “Father.”

This is a name we should strive to protect and make praiseworthy. We should not however try to earn it, since that’s impossible. It’s a name given simply as a gift, to all who believe Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah promised to be our Redeemer.

Addendum:

Parents are blessed when their children bring honor to their name. So too our Father in heaven. In a world where many hypocrites appeal to his name to defraud and mislead others, it is good to be reminded that our calling as disciples is to live in a manner that conforms to God’s command: “You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”

Faith Makes Sense of Our Existence

On By robstroudIn C.S. Lewis & the Inklings, Christianity, The Ancient Church1 Comment

“If we discover a desire within us that nothing in this world can satisfy, also we should begin to wonder if perhaps we were created for another world.” (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity).

It would be a sad thing if we existed only for this brief lifetime. And an awareness of this tragic fact rests like a dark cloud over human existence. Many atheists cling to this as a fundamental justification for their rejection of God. “Because of our awareness of our own mortality,” they argue, “people create gods to worship.”

Now, we Christians can acknowledge one aspect of their reasoning. It actually is reasonable to think that if there were no Creator, people would be inclined to invent something to explain the cosmos. We see evidence of this in the fact that when people reject the Son of God—they vainly strive to fill the vacuumleft in their spirits. Human beings share a deep spiritual emptiness (called by some a “God-shaped hole”). And while atheists use that fact to argue against faith . . . C.S. Lewis provides us with the true reason for the conundrum.

It is precisely because of our broken relationship with God—because we were created for a perfect world we no longer inhabit—that we have an innate yearning for the eternal which only God can satisfy. You and I were created to live in the presence of our Lord in a Garden richer than we could ever imagine. And those who trust Christ now will find that a place has been prepared for us in a glorious new home.

 †††

Our faithful commentatorComment: Amen. As the North African Church father Augustine of Hippo wrote: Crede, ut intelligas. “Seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.”

The Inadequacies of Language

On By robstroudIn C.S. Lewis & the Inklings, Theological Matters, Writing1 Comment

A rather unsettling but communicative image.“Language exists to communicate whatever it can communicate. Some things it communicates so badly that we never attempt to communicate them by words if any other medium is available.” (C.S. Lewis Studies In Words).

Human beings are extremely verbal creatures. It’s no accident that even most sign language used by the deaf community is based on gestures being the equivalent of given words. I suspect this lexical dimension of our nature has something to do with our creation “in the image of God.”

After all, God obviously loves words. His only begotten Son is the very “Word” (Logos) of God, through whom everything that exists was spoken into being.

Yes, words are important to humanity, whether or not we acknowledge a Divine source for that fact. Well chosen words communicate effectively. And, although rhetoric is no longer a formal component of most curricula, one evidence of a solid education is fluency in communication.

Those of us who dabble in writing value the proverbial “well turned phrase” more than most. At the same time we agree with the wisdom of C.S. Lewis quoted above. For some things, words are an impoverished means of communication.

Take for example intense grief. While the unknowing stumble about trying to find the “right words,” we who are older have learned a hug and shared tears are far more effective agents of healing.

Similarly, joy can be ill-expressed via words on occasions when “words are not enough.” Observing the awe shimmering in the eye of a parent cradling their newborn, communicates volumes more than any treatise on “happiness” could.

Lewis, a timeless master of the English language, reminds us all that even the precious gift of language . . . possesses its limits.

Does More Education = Greater Faith?

On By robstroudIn C.S. Lewis & the Inklings, Christianity5 Comments

A new study has found that advanced education does not necessarily result in a decrease in religious orientation.

Liberals have long held the ramparts of academic bastions. They make it difficult for conservative (especially Christian) faculty members to enter their ranks. This is a great irony, since one of their hypocritical mantras is that everyone should maintain an “open mind.” Apparently they believe the mind should remain open to virtually everything except for traditional values and faith. Case in point, the gifted C.S. Lewis was denied a full professorship at Oxford, and ended his career teaching at Cambridge University, where the faculty at the time was less prejudiced.

The recent study by sociologist Philip Schwadel offered some shocking results. For example, highly educated individuals are actually more likely than their less educated counterparts to attend worship services. You read that correctly, they are more apt to practice their faith by participating in corporate worship. In fact, data from the General Social Survey revealed that with each additional year of education, the likelihood of attending religious services increased 15 percent!

Lest Christians get too excited over the study, however, there are a couple of caveats. In essence, more highly educated people tend to become more liberal in their theology. This manifests itself in a lower view of Scripture’s authority, and a corresponding tendency toward viewing the God who was incarnate in Jesus Christ as a generic “higher power.”

So, at the end of the day we find ourselves where we began. There are devout Christians across the educational spectrum. Some hold impressive degrees from prestigious universities. Many of them teach, and we should pray that they are able to do so without compromising their integrity.

God and the world don’t value things in the same way. As Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God . . . For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong . . . so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’”

Ultimately I’m unimpressed by the new data—I’ve always recognized the truly intelligent people in the world are those who follow Jesus.

Being an Inkling

On By robstroudIn Advice to Writers, C.S. Lewis & the Inklings2 Comments

“I called the name [Inkling] a ‘jest’, because it was a pleasantly ingenious pun in its way, suggesting people with vague or half-formed intimations and ideas plus those who dabble in ink.” (J.R.R. Tolkien in a letter dated 11 September 1967)

As an inkling, I gather regularly with other individuals eager to study the art of writing. This community of writers is an indispensable dimension of what it means to be an inkling. Indeed, it might be argued that no inkling is an island, entire in him- or herself.

For three decades now I have recognized that being an active member of a writer’s group improves my work both qualitatively and quantitatively. The truth is I write much more faithfully when I know I will be attending a meeting where friends are curious to know how my various projects are progressing. In the past, whenever I moved to a new location without an existing writing community, I simply gathered other interested people and started one. In fact, on the first anniversary of September 11th I was gathering with fellow writers each Saturday to focus on this renewing exercise . . . even as we supported Operation Enduring Freedom from Shabaz Air Base in Pakistan.

Beyond the selfish motivation, I also possess a genuine desire to assist and encourage others in their own writing journey. I have always found mentoring others to be extremely rewarding.

If you have any writing aspirations of your own, I strongly encourage you to seek out a group of dedicated writers who meet frequently. Some of these are faith-based, while others are genre-oriented. There are also groups without a unifying ethos, although from my past experience such fellowships struggle to retain their cohesion

If you should be so fortunate as to find a community as invigorating as Oxford’s Inklings, count your blessings. But don’t measure your local options by that lofty standard. Joining a circle of likeminded friends as you pursue your writing can still be amazing even if it is populated by imperfect writers like you and me.