Synopses & Reviews
“We are not the playwright, we are not the producer, we are not even the audience. We are on the stage. To play well the scenes in which we are "on" concerns us much more than to guess about the scenes that follow it.”In these seven witty, lucid, and tough-minded essays, the famous, infamous Screwtape makes a special appearance, proposing a toast that brilliantly explores the many opportunities for exploiting evil in the world. Lewis also considers the evidence for whether and how prayer works, plays with the meaning of the words “I believe,” and asks what happens to our concept of God when we send rockets into outer space. And, in a moving final piece, he forces us to wonder how we should live if any day might bring the worlds last night. Anyone who ever appreciated his unique blend of humor, paradox, and searing insight will find these further thoughts from C.S. Lewis richly illuminating and remember that he is, as ever, one of the greatest writers and challengers of living faith.
"[Lewis] addresses himself to the task of disputing belief with energy, humor, and intense conviction." —Los Angeles Times
"Reveals the expected wit, the Chestertonian ability to make Christian orthodoxy exciting and fit for the brave rebel, and an abundance of offbeat insights into the human scene." —New York Times Book Review
C. S. (Clive Staples) Lewis (1898-1963), one of the great writers of the twentieth century, also continues to be one of our most influential Christian thinkers. He wrote more than thirty books, both popular and scholarly, including The Chronicles of Narnia series, The Screwtape Letters, The Four Loves, Mere Christianity, and Surprised by Joy.
Synopsis
In seven witty, lucid, tough-minded essays, Lewis considers questions that challenge the faith of modern Christians. He discusses such topics as the efficacy of prayer, the various uses of the phrase “I believe,” the religious implications of life on other planets, the meaning of words like “culture” and “religion,” and the idea of the Second Coming.
Synopsis
"[Lewis] addresses himself to the task of disputing disbelief with energy, humor, and intense conviction."--
Los Angeles Times "No other Christian writer in this country had such influence on the general reading public as C.S. Lewis."--
Times Literary Supplement (London) In seven witty, lucid, and tough-minded essays, C.S. Lewis considers questions that challenge the faith of modern Christians. He discusses the efficacy of prayer, the various usages of the phrase "I believe," the meaning of words like "culture" and "religion," and the interplay of "good work" and "good works." He examines the religious implications of life on other planets and the doctrine of the Second Coming. This collection is also notable for a Screwtape dialogue in which that "very experienced devil makes a brilliant speech on the opportunities for exploiting the evil in the world, concluding 'Nowhere do we tempt so successfully as on the very steps of the altar.'" "Reveals the expected wit, the Chestertonian ability to make Christian orthodoxy exciting and fit for the brave revel, and an abundance of offbeat insights into the human scene."--
The New York Times Book Review C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) gained international renown for an impressive array of beloved works both popular and scholarly: literary criticism, children's literature, fantasy literature, and numerous books on theology. Among his most celebrated achievements are
Out of the Silent Planet, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Screwtape Letters, The Four Loves, and
Surprised by Joy.
About the Author
C. S. (Clive Staples) Lewis (1898-1963), one of the great writers of the twentieth century, also continues to be one of our most influential Christian thinkers. A Fellow and tutor at Oxford until 1954, he spent the rest of his career as Chair of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge. He wrote more than thirty books, both popular and scholarly, inlcuding The Chronicles of Narnia series, The Screwtape Letters, The Four Loves, Mere Christianity and Surprised by Joy.
Table of Contents
The Efficacy of prayer --On obstinacy in belief --Lilies that fester --Screwtape proposes a toast --Good work and good works --Religion and rocketry --The World's last night.