The Intellectual World of C. S. Lewis - Softcover

McGrath, Alister E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 047067279X ISBN 13: 9780470672792

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013

Synopsis

Marking the 50th anniversary of Lewis’ death, The Intellectual World of C. S. Lewis sees leading Christian thinker Alister McGrath offering a fresh approach to understanding the key themes at the centre of Lewis’ theological work and intellectual development.

• Brings together a collection of original essays exploring important themes within Lewis’ work, offering new connections and insights into his theology
• Throws new light on subjects including Lewis’ intellectual development, the uses of images in literature and theology, the place of myth in modern thought, the role of the imagination in making sense of the world, the celebrated 'argument from desire', and Lewis’ place as an Anglican thinker and a Christian theologian
• Written by Alister McGrath, one of the world’s leading Christian thinkers and authors; this exceptional pairing of McGrath and Lewis brings together the work of two outstanding theologians in one volume

About this title

Review

Alister McGrath on The Intellectual World of C. S. Lewis

I began a substantial research project on CS Lewis (1898-1963) after moving from Oxford University to take up a newly established professorship at King's College London in September 2008. My new position allowed me more time for research. Having read much by (and about) Lewis, I decided to write a major new study of Lewis to mark the 50th anniversary of his death in 2013. As the research proceeded, I realized that I would have to write two works on Lewis to cope with its significant findings. The first was a new biography of Lewis, entitled C. S. Lewis – A Life. Reluctant Prophet, Eccentric Genius, published in February 2013, which has been very well received. The second is The Intellectual World of C. S. Lewis.

This second book provides eight meticulously researched studies of aspects of Lewis's thought that have not received the attention that they deserve to date. Four of them break new ground – especially the essays dealing with the literary character of Lewis's autobiographical work Surprised by Joy, and Lewis's extensive use of imagery based on sight and light. Although these are solid pieces of research, I have made them as accessible as possible. The Intellectual World of C. S. Lewis is an ideal companion to the biography. The latter tells a story; the former unpacks some core ideas in Lewis's thought.

So what will readers get out of The Intellectual World of C. S. Lewis? Taken together, these eight essays will allow readers to get much more out of their engagement with Lewis. For example, the essay on Lewis's approach to "myth" will helps readers make sense of (and appreciate) some core features of the famous "Chronicles of Narnia". The essay on Lewis's visual imagery helps make sense of many themes in Mere Christianity, and some of his most famous essays, especially "The Weight of Glory" and "Meditation in a Toolshed". Lewis's elegant style and accessible prose masks the conceptual profundity of his thinking. The Intellectual World of C. S. Lewis will allow Lewis's readers to appreciate the depth of his ideas, while still enjoying the winsome way in which they are presented.

From the Back Cover

The 50th anniversary of Lewis’ death sees the work of this exceptional author as relevant today as ever, and his theological writings, which continue to have a wide and devoted following, remain immensely influential. Although not a professional theologian, Lewis’ work is widely accepted as having developed significant theological themes. The Intellectual World of C. S. Lewis, written by leading Christian thinker and bestselling author Alister McGrath, explores eight key aspects of Lewis’ intellectual development and importance. Based on new research, this fascinating volume uncovers some original and important insights relating to the major themes of his work.

With a single authorial voice throughout, these essays bear the hallmark of McGrath’s widely respected scholarly, and yet accessible style. McGrath throws fresh light on each subject, and offers new connections as he addresses key themes at the centre of C. S. Lewis’ work, including his intellectual development, the uses of images in literature and theology, the place of myth in modern thought, the role of the imagination in making sense of the world, the celebrated ‘argument from desire’, and Lewis’ place as an Anglican thinker and a Christian theologian.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 047067279X
• ISBN 13: 9780470672792
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208