One should always take care criticizing what one has little knowledge. The extent of my knowledge of Lewis are quotes offered on occasion, testimonials of his greatness, and a partial reading of the Chronicles of Narnia. I had started reading the latter to my children, and we became bored with it. They were probably too young for the book, and science fiction is a genre that I don’t enjoy. Although I’m not attempting to get excommunicated here, I confess to not having an interest in Lord of the Rings by Tolkien either. This is not a commentary on the literary quality of the works, just one man’s taste in genres.
C.S. Lewis is one of the few non-Catholic authors considered to be great articulators of Catholic philosophy. My understanding is that he was a high church Anglican, but I also understand that the consensus amongst scholars is that he most likely would have never converted to Rome even with the benefit of seeing what the Church of England became. Admittedly such is speculation, but it is speculation more informed than my own. And I do not write this to try and claim that men have to be particularly holy to offer great insights. Those familiar with Orthodox writer Dostoevsky’s biography know quite well that he did not live the life of a Saint. I am surprised that such insights came from someone caught in a culture that had very much embraced the Enlightenment.
I am claiming that I have not seen the insights of Lewis as provided in quotation to be all that profound. Some I would go so far as to say have debatable merit. Admittedly I’m not the measure for determining that which is profound or insightful. I am curious however if there are other Lewis doubters out there. I am curious if there are works demolishing the Lewis mythos. I am curious if I just need to sit and read “Mere Christianity” and accept the legend and his brilliance. For those who have read some of scriblings, would any Lewis work have particular appeal for me?
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