Today in the Anglican Communion we remember Clive Staples Lewis, whose converted imagination gave the world The Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity, Surprised by Joy . . . I could go on.
On this date in 1963, C. S. Lewis died at the age of sixty-five. The world hardly noticed since its attention was directed to the death of John F. Kennedy, so once again the Athiest turned Christian had his privacy. His friends said he would have preferred it that way.
His quotes are so quotable that I can't resist a couple of famous ones. From Mere Christianity:
You must make your choice. Either this man [Jesus] was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up as a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon, or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God.
Lewis was raised as an Anglican but in adolescence had resisted Christianity with all his might. However, God pursued him. From Surprised by Joy:
Really, a young Atheist cannot guard his faith too carefully. Amiable agnostics will talk cheerfully about "man's search for God." . . . I know very well when, but hardly how, the final step was taken. I was driven to Whipsnade one sunny morning. When we set out, I did not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and when we reached the zoo, I did.
O God of searing truth and surpassing beauty, we give you thanks for Clive Staples Lewis, whose sanctified imagination lights fires of faith in young and old alike. Surprise us also with your joy and draw us into that new and abundant life which is ours in Christ Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church Episcopal
Billings, MT
406-208-7314
www.holycrosschurchbillings.org
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