C. S. Lewis is widely regarded as the 20th century’s most successful apologist — or defender — of the Christian faith. And no one seems primed to usurp his role in the 21st century.
What accounts for Lewis’ enduring appeal, his extraordinary gift of communicating the truth of “mere Christianity”?
Richard Purtill, a former professor of philosophy at Western Washington University, sets out to answer those questions. His new book offers a clear, systematic assessment of Lewis’ lasting achievement.
At the heart of Lewis’ body of work — from “Miracles” to “The Chronicles of Narnia” to “The Screwtape Letters” — Purtill finds a rare combination of imaginative, moral and intellectual talents.
Together, they allowed Lewis to reach a wide audience and fueled his passion for “transposing the higher into the lower,” i.e., creating powerful metaphors for difficult theological concepts and turning technicalities of doctrine into everyday speech.
If Lewis remains a vital force in Christian thought, Purtill claims, it is primarily because of the clarity of his philosophical arguments.
As few others did, Lewis made a compelling case for Christianity being more reasonable, more probable than its rivals.
Purtill painstakingly examines each of Lewis’ arguments — the nature of God, the divinity of Christ, the existence of miracles — and highlights their strengths and weaknesses.
He is especially impressed by Lewis’ humility. The Oxford don repeatedly downplayed his own importance to stress the significance of his message.
Purtill showcases the depth and complexity of both the man and his writings. His lively treatment of the great apologist of the 20th century will become a standard well into the 21st century for understanding Lewis’ appeal.
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Arlice Davenport
