Happy Birthday C. S. Lewis

Clive Stapes Lewis, born this day in 1898 was know to his friends as "Jack" (if my first same was Clive, Jack would work). He is best known to this generation as the author of the Narnia series.

Lewis had some interesting theological positions. He attended the church closest to his home, believing that we all should attend the church closest to us and work to make it better. In that sense, he was more of a puritan than a pilgrim.

Like most Europeans, he was not a stranger to adult beverages or tobacco and did not have a theological issue with their use.

The legacy, however, that C. S. Lewis leaves us, in Mere Christianity, The Problem with Pain and Surprised by Joy, and lurking behind every faun or lamp post in Narnia is his rich and tempting picture of God. His words still entice us to flee sin and draw near to God:

We are half hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

Thank you Mr. Lewis for reminding me that I am far too easily pleased, and that there is something so much better out there. Lewis, like the professor, challenges about Lucy's claims of a forest being in the wardrobe. "it can't be there, it's just not logical." And I can see his smile turn up and his eyes twinkle.

"For Aslan, and for Narnia!!!"