However I've stayed away from C.S. Lewis's writings. I've seen Narnia, and it's sequel, interesting fantasy, however a very queer outlook on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I also watched the movie which came out in the early 90's regarding his private life marring a divorced Jewish woman "Shadowlands" was excellent acting, however truly revealed that C.S. Lewis was truly just a professor of Christ but did not Know Him as a Possessor of Christ.
The cult I belonged too many decades ago did promote some of his books, but I did not care to read it. He was a believer and promoted Ecumenism which is not allowed by any true believer.
So the "Screwtape Letter's" is definitely something I would not read ever, because I would never be curious in what he had to say. The LORD, due to my years of consuming heretical, and demonic teachings, which took years to undo, HE caused me to learn from Him, and pretty much stayed away from men's books on their "thoughts" about the Lord's Gospel.
Thanks for sharing, however I personally think that too many babes in Christ are better off learning from the LORD and His Spirit, then even mention the books of false teachers. Babes in Christ and the immature are far to vulnerable, and the damage can be great, and the pain dangerous teaching's cause is not worth it.
Thank you for this— I hear the weight behind your caution, and I respect the guardrails, especially given what you’ve had to unlearn after years of heretical teaching. I also agree with your core pastoral concern: babes in Christ can be vulnerable, and not every believer should be handed every book or every conversation, because the damage from false teaching can be real.
My use of Screwtape isn’t to treat Lewis as an authority or a doctrinal source. Scripture is the authority—always. I used it as an illustration to spotlight tactics of temptation and deception that the Bible already warns about, not as a substitute for the Word.
And I’ll say this with care: it’s fair to critique a man’s theology or public choices, but final judgments about whether someone “knew Christ” belong to the Lord who sees the heart. Either way, I appreciate your reminder to keep Christ central and to exercise discernment—especially for the immature—and I’m grateful you engaged respectfully.
I understand your reasoning for doing the comparison, truly.
However, we are instructed we can Know who is of the LORD and who is not, just by the words, actions and fruit. We have been granted the Holy Spirit to do so, and only make the proclamation’s where and when needed.
I will need to add, did not Peter read the Hearts by the Holy Spirit of Ananias, and his wife who lied, and he instructed them so. Lewis belonged to a Harlot system, and if he was truly Born of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit would have caused him to leave the harlot system of the Church of England, plain and simple.
Those who compromise the Gospel are truly revealing what they believe in their hearts. And the Lord has promised, that HE SHALL KEEP His sheep from every FALSE way, and false Doctrine.
So why did not the Holy Spirit work in his life and carry out the Promises of the Lord and deliver him from the evil way?
Because the Lord stated “MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE” and follow me”.
Lewis read, but did not Hear, Lewis spoke but he did not believe. He followed the Letter of the Word, and not the Spirit of the Word. He professed but did not possess.
It is that serious type of discernment He desire’s from His Bride, not to do stand firm in His Truth enables others to walk in Darkness. If we do not warn, then when persons die in their sins or errors then is not their blood upon our heads? If we are faithful to stand for the truth, and they still walk in sin and errors at their choosing, then we are free from their blood.
It is obvious that no one warned Lewis of his major false belief’s and associations, which is very sad.
While I read the comments of Junior with great interest and I appreciate your careful and open debate with him, I have read the Screwtape letters (At the time) and was amazed by what he wrote and the insight he showed. Mere Christianity, I can't deny it, has been a great comfort to me. So while I can understand much of what Junior is saying and I appreciate it, I think this is a case to take the good we can learn from Lewis, while eschewing the evil. You are very right to say he did not write Scripture. He did not. Nothing can feed my soul like the naked word of God as it comes to me in the Bible. Yet sometimes certain writings can reveal aspects of the faith that were hidden before and as such can be a help. Anyway, thanks for your article. Blessings
Thank you for this—thoughtful, balanced, and I appreciate the way you framed it.
I agree with you on the center of gravity: nothing feeds the soul like the naked Word of God. Lewis isn’t Scripture, and he can’t carry the weight Scripture carries. That has to stay settled.
At the same time, I don’t think it’s automatically unfaithful to learn from secondary voices when they’re kept in their proper place. God has always used imperfect men to illuminate truths we then verify in His Word. The key is exactly what you said: take the good, refuse the error, and never confuse an insight with authority.
And I’ll add one pastoral note that honors Junior’s concern: what’s helpful for a mature believer may not be wise for a new one. Some consciences need tighter guardrails. So discernment matters—not just what we read, but who we hand it to and when.
I’m grateful you engaged with charity and sobriety. Blessings to you as well.
God bless you, Betty. When you stick to the 66 books of the Bible you will be doing well. It's truly all you need and you found it. Not endowed with great intellect? God has confouded the wise. Too often we can be tempted to be proud of our own supposed smartness. Lord help us all. And don't forget, it's often the weak and the babes that bring forth God's beauty. I am sure God made you with a set of wonderful talents and you are a precious jewel in His sight.
Interesting.....
However I've stayed away from C.S. Lewis's writings. I've seen Narnia, and it's sequel, interesting fantasy, however a very queer outlook on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I also watched the movie which came out in the early 90's regarding his private life marring a divorced Jewish woman "Shadowlands" was excellent acting, however truly revealed that C.S. Lewis was truly just a professor of Christ but did not Know Him as a Possessor of Christ.
The cult I belonged too many decades ago did promote some of his books, but I did not care to read it. He was a believer and promoted Ecumenism which is not allowed by any true believer.
So the "Screwtape Letter's" is definitely something I would not read ever, because I would never be curious in what he had to say. The LORD, due to my years of consuming heretical, and demonic teachings, which took years to undo, HE caused me to learn from Him, and pretty much stayed away from men's books on their "thoughts" about the Lord's Gospel.
Thanks for sharing, however I personally think that too many babes in Christ are better off learning from the LORD and His Spirit, then even mention the books of false teachers. Babes in Christ and the immature are far to vulnerable, and the damage can be great, and the pain dangerous teaching's cause is not worth it.
Thank you for this— I hear the weight behind your caution, and I respect the guardrails, especially given what you’ve had to unlearn after years of heretical teaching. I also agree with your core pastoral concern: babes in Christ can be vulnerable, and not every believer should be handed every book or every conversation, because the damage from false teaching can be real.
My use of Screwtape isn’t to treat Lewis as an authority or a doctrinal source. Scripture is the authority—always. I used it as an illustration to spotlight tactics of temptation and deception that the Bible already warns about, not as a substitute for the Word.
And I’ll say this with care: it’s fair to critique a man’s theology or public choices, but final judgments about whether someone “knew Christ” belong to the Lord who sees the heart. Either way, I appreciate your reminder to keep Christ central and to exercise discernment—especially for the immature—and I’m grateful you engaged respectfully.
I understand your reasoning for doing the comparison, truly.
However, we are instructed we can Know who is of the LORD and who is not, just by the words, actions and fruit. We have been granted the Holy Spirit to do so, and only make the proclamation’s where and when needed.
I will need to add, did not Peter read the Hearts by the Holy Spirit of Ananias, and his wife who lied, and he instructed them so. Lewis belonged to a Harlot system, and if he was truly Born of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit would have caused him to leave the harlot system of the Church of England, plain and simple.
Those who compromise the Gospel are truly revealing what they believe in their hearts. And the Lord has promised, that HE SHALL KEEP His sheep from every FALSE way, and false Doctrine.
So why did not the Holy Spirit work in his life and carry out the Promises of the Lord and deliver him from the evil way?
Because the Lord stated “MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE” and follow me”.
Lewis read, but did not Hear, Lewis spoke but he did not believe. He followed the Letter of the Word, and not the Spirit of the Word. He professed but did not possess.
It is that serious type of discernment He desire’s from His Bride, not to do stand firm in His Truth enables others to walk in Darkness. If we do not warn, then when persons die in their sins or errors then is not their blood upon our heads? If we are faithful to stand for the truth, and they still walk in sin and errors at their choosing, then we are free from their blood.
It is obvious that no one warned Lewis of his major false belief’s and associations, which is very sad.
While I read the comments of Junior with great interest and I appreciate your careful and open debate with him, I have read the Screwtape letters (At the time) and was amazed by what he wrote and the insight he showed. Mere Christianity, I can't deny it, has been a great comfort to me. So while I can understand much of what Junior is saying and I appreciate it, I think this is a case to take the good we can learn from Lewis, while eschewing the evil. You are very right to say he did not write Scripture. He did not. Nothing can feed my soul like the naked word of God as it comes to me in the Bible. Yet sometimes certain writings can reveal aspects of the faith that were hidden before and as such can be a help. Anyway, thanks for your article. Blessings
Thank you for this—thoughtful, balanced, and I appreciate the way you framed it.
I agree with you on the center of gravity: nothing feeds the soul like the naked Word of God. Lewis isn’t Scripture, and he can’t carry the weight Scripture carries. That has to stay settled.
At the same time, I don’t think it’s automatically unfaithful to learn from secondary voices when they’re kept in their proper place. God has always used imperfect men to illuminate truths we then verify in His Word. The key is exactly what you said: take the good, refuse the error, and never confuse an insight with authority.
And I’ll add one pastoral note that honors Junior’s concern: what’s helpful for a mature believer may not be wise for a new one. Some consciences need tighter guardrails. So discernment matters—not just what we read, but who we hand it to and when.
I’m grateful you engaged with charity and sobriety. Blessings to you as well.
God bless you, Betty. When you stick to the 66 books of the Bible you will be doing well. It's truly all you need and you found it. Not endowed with great intellect? God has confouded the wise. Too often we can be tempted to be proud of our own supposed smartness. Lord help us all. And don't forget, it's often the weak and the babes that bring forth God's beauty. I am sure God made you with a set of wonderful talents and you are a precious jewel in His sight.