What are C. S. Lewis's biography, books, and facts?

Early Life and Academic Background

Clive Staples Lewis was born on November 29, 1898, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was raised alongside his older brother, Warren Hamilton Lewis (often called “Warnie”). From a young age, he displayed a fascination with stories and imaginative worlds. This creativity, seen in his childhood writings, would later bear fruit in his well-known fictional works.

Lewis’s formal education involved studies at various institutions, including Malvern College in England. He served in the British Army during World War I, an experience that deeply influenced his worldview. After the war, he attended the University of Oxford (Magdalen College), where he excelled in literature and classics. He later taught at both Oxford and, subsequently, the University of Cambridge, where he was elected Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature.

Conversion from Atheism to Christianity

Although raised in a church-going household, Lewis drifted into atheism during his adolescence. His intellectual journey back to Christianity involved critical introspection and engaging discussions with friends like J.R.R. Tolkien, who shared insight into the coherence of biblical faith.

Lewis later concluded that Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Scriptures, could only be accepted or rejected in totality, not selectively. He wrote about this in his apologetic works, presenting the famed “trilemma” (Jesus as Lord, liar, or lunatic). His personal testimony mirrors Scriptural themes of seeking and finding (cf. Matthew 7:7: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”).

Lewis’s Major Works

1. Mere Christianity (1952):

Originally a series of radio talks aired by the BBC during World War II, this book outlines key doctrines and moral teachings central to Christian faith. Lewis appeals to what he called the “moral law,” echoing passages like Romans 2:14–15, highlighting that a sense of right and wrong points to a moral Lawgiver.

2. The Chronicles of Narnia (1950–1956):

A seven-book children’s fantasy series, these stories merge imaginative allegories with Christian themes. The lion Aslan symbolizes Christlike sacrifice and redemption, recalling biblical motifs of “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8).

3. The Screwtape Letters (1942):

Written as fictional correspondence between a senior demon, Screwtape, and his nephew, Wormwood. This satirical approach exposes spiritual warfare and human temptation, resembling Scriptural admonitions regarding the deceitfulness of sin and the devil’s schemes (cf. 1 Peter 5:8).

4. Miracles (1947):

In this treatise, Lewis argues that miracles are not violations of natural law but rightful instances of God’s intervention. He aligns with the biblical realm of signs and wonders that attest to divine authority (cf. Acts 14:3).

5. The Great Divorce (1945):

A short work depicting a dream-like journey between Heaven and Hell. Through vivid imagery, it explores choice, free will, and reason in the pursuit of ultimate truth. The narrative resonates with biblical references to the reality of judgment (cf. Matthew 25:31–46).

6. The Problem of Pain (1940):

Here, Lewis addresses the question of suffering in a world created by an all-powerful, loving God. He discusses the Fall (Genesis 3) and human free will as vital elements in understanding why pain exists, pointing to passages like Romans 8:20–21.

7. Surprised by Joy (1955):

An autobiographical account revealing details of Lewis’s early life and conversion. It underscores the unexpected fulfillment he found in Christ, noted by the biblical promise of true joy in God (cf. Psalm 16:11).

8. Reflections on the Psalms (1958):

A reflective commentary on selected Psalms, focusing on praises, laments, and messianic prophecy. Lewis’s literary perspective complements a reverent handling of Scripture, consistent with believers’ gratitude and reflection on God’s Word (cf. Psalm 119:105).

Personal Relationships and Later Years

Lewis married Joy Davidman, an American writer who initially corresponded with him about matters of faith. Their relationship, documented in letters and personal accounts, grew from admiration of each other’s writing to genuine Christian companionship. Davidman’s battle with cancer and eventual passing shaped some of Lewis’s most poignant reflections, recorded in “A Grief Observed” (1961).

In his later years, Lewis continued his scholarly work at Cambridge while still lecturing and writing on Christian themes. He died on November 22, 1963, the same day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated–a coincidence that overshadowed media coverage of Lewis’s passing.

Key Facts and Impact

• Lewis’s academic achievements include degrees in classical literature, philosophy, and ancient history; his pursuits informed both his apologetic arguments and literary works.

• His influence on Christian apologetics remains notable; he possessed the rare gift of making deeply philosophical and doctrinal points accessible to a wide readership.

• His imaginative style, particularly in “The Chronicles of Narnia,” introduced countless children and adults to Christian ideas, echoing Jesus’s directive in Mark 10:14 to let children come to Him.

• Many of his works (fiction and non-fiction alike) highlight reason and faith coexisting in harmony (cf. 1 Peter 3:15), a hallmark of his approach to defending the truth of Scripture and the person of Christ.

Legacy and Continued Relevance

Lewis’s legacy endures in theological discourse, literature classrooms, and broader cultural reflections on faith. His framework of “mere Christianity” aims to unite believers around foundational truths that define the faith (e.g., the deity and resurrection of Christ, the authority of God’s Word, and humanity’s redemption).

Throughout his works, he underscored that reason aligns with faith, reflecting the biblical view that all creation points to a Creator (cf. Romans 1:20). Scholars, students, and believers worldwide still find his writings to be thought-provoking bridges between intellect, imagination, and devotion.

In remembering Lewis, many highlight how he mirrored the scriptural mandate, “Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). His works remain influential resources for individuals wrestling with spiritual questions, guiding them toward the Christ-centered hope proclaimed throughout Scripture.