Four Keys to the Wardrobe Door of C S Lewis' Faith

In the year that marks the 50th anniversary of his passing, how can we unlock the wardrobe door to the faith and thinking of the man who created ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’, penned ‘The Screwtape Letters’, lived out ‘Surprised by Joy’ and defended ‘Mere Christianity’?

Here are four keys to the mind of the man behind the best loved classics of Christian literature.

1. The Bible Through the Words of C S Lewis

With an account of Lewis’ own journey to faith, and an introduction to his private approach to Bible reading, the nostalgically bound and presented NRSV The C S Lewis Bible includes a treasury of more than 600 extracts from his stories, letters and spiritual works as footnotes and commentary.

Alternatively, A Year with C.S. Lewis starts with a short excerpt direct from C S Lewis. It provides 365 short readings from Lewis’ books drawing from them a daily prayer, thought or devotion. This book might prove acceptable gifts for Lewis fans yet to discover the faith of the writer for themselves.

2. Know the Man, his Work and Discover his God

Marking this anniversary year, Colin Duriez, experienced writer on the imaginary worlds of Narnia, JRR Tolkein and Harry Potter, draws on new research into the key relationships and experiences that influenced Lewis’ thoughts and beliefs.

C.S.Lewis: A Biography of Friendship is a book for Narnia readers genuinely interested in the mind and soul of the man who created a world that reflects our own in unexpected ways, and whose defence of Christianity - in the lows as well as the highs of life, still has influence as much today as fifty years ago.

3. Through a Magical Realm to Our Reality

For the regular Narnia tourist, Rowan Williams’ expertly conducts a return journey into the heart of Aslan’s kingdom. The Lion’s World. This is an easy and resepctful read, but no hero-worshipping tribute. The former Archbishop is well aware of the flaws in Lewis’ narrative and the gaps in his theological allegory; but he also knows the power of story.

Rather than force parallels between Lewis’ imaginary world and our own reality, Rowan Williams explores how the intrusion of God, into the world such as Narnia, might look if Narnia was our reality. By understanding how God would show himself in such a magical realm, we begin to see more of God’s presence in our own.

4. Apologetics With No Apologies

The heavyweight in this quartet, Peter S Williams’ C.S. Lewis vs the New Atheists is not a book for the Narnia fan. It is a well sourced and referenced look at how Lewis’ apologetics – his construction of a logical argument for Christ and Christianity, stands up against the assaults of modern day, celebrity atheists such as Richard Dawkins.

Not an easy read, the author rebuts the arguments for abandoning faith through the works of a man who invented faith's most potent fictional enemies and whose experience moved him, and many since, not away from God but in the exact opposite direction.

Books of Challenge, Hope and Discovery

Whichever key you choose, the wardrobe door swings open to welcome you into a world of revelations and spiritual intimacy that only faith and a God given creativity can open. And, once opened, you have a door you can open again and again to enter a new world, and find closer union with the eternal just beyond.

As you discover more about the writer, rediscover the writings of Christian literature's best loved storyteller and most encouraging author. Click here and find The C.S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia Celebration Editions, and C.S.Lewis Special Signature Editions.