Who is C. S. Lewis? Why is it important for Christians to read his works?
Over twenty years ago, when I was pursuing my PhD, I studied C. S. Lewis's theological thoughts. In the postscript of my dissertation, I wrote: 'The influence of this man, who, like me, had an insatiable thirst and a restless heart until they found rest in God, is beyond words. To borrow his words of gratitude towards George MacDonald, he 'baptized' my soul, teaching me to strive for honesty, humility, kindness, and trust.'
C. S. Lewis (1898–1963) was one of the greatest Christian apologists of the 20th century. His professional role was a professor of English literature at both Oxford and Cambridge universities. During World War II, he became famous for delivering a series of BBC radio talks on the Christian faith. These talks were later compiled into a book titled Mere Christianity. The book topped the list in Christianity Today's '100 Christian Books That Changed the 20th Century' in 2000, together with his works The Screwtape Letters and The Chronicles of Narnia.
Though Lewis passed away more than half a century ago, his many theological and literary works continue to gain popularity. Lewis's charm lies in his appeal to reason, the use of meticulous logic, accessible language for the general public, profound ideas, and incredibly imaginative ways to expound orthodox Christian doctrines.
Why did you choose The Four Loves for the book club?
Lewis converted to Christianity in middle age and faced many hardships throughout his life, including losing his mother at a young age, his wife at an older age, a complicated relationship with his war comrade's mother, and never reconciling with his father. The Four Loves is, to a large extent, his reflection of the various emotional experiences in his life, processed through the lens of God's divine love after he had matured as a Christian. The Apostle John said, 'God is love.' However, love is not God. If we elevate any form of earthly love to the status of “God” and make it our idol, that love becomes demonic.
Dr. Mary Wang
Faculty-in-Preparation, CCST Vancouver
About Dr. Mary Wang
Dr. Mary Wang holds a PhD in Religious Studies from Renmin University of China, a Master in Theological Studies from Regent College Vancouver, and is currently pursuing her PhD with Wycliffe College, Toronto School of Theology. She has taught at Renmin University of China and served as a pastor in the Mandarin Congregation of Richmond Chinese Alliance Church. She has also taught Biblical Hebrew and Theological English at CCST Vancouver. She published Reason, Romanticism, and Christianity: A Study of C. S. Lewis's Theological Thoughts, and she also translated works including The Four Loves, Mere Christianity, Heretics, and Water from a Deep Well: Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries. Dr. Wang is the faculty-in preparation of CCST Vancouver.
CCST Vancouver is launching a Book Club in May, and we cordially invite you to join us in reading C. S. Lewis's The Four Loves, learning how to love our God and our neighbors in accordance with His will.
