Apologia Podcast

drzach · 04-15-2009 15:47:26

From listener Bryan:

I think a whole show could be spent discussing the writings of CS Lewis. Lewis' apologetics seems to be very well regarded among most Christians, who think of him as (almost) a saint and an excellent voice for the faith. Among atheists, he seems to be regarded as rather uninformed about textual criticism, logic, and science and perhaps a little naive and simple minded.

BillA · 04-20-2009 07:14:51

“The schoolmasters of today were the undergraduates of twenty years ago.” C.S. Lewis

Mr. Lewis (not "Saint Lewis") observed that “delayed results” were the norm within the “mental world,” where powerful ideas registered their impact much like intellectual “time bombs,” long after they had been planted (God in the Dock, p. 116).

Indeed, most of the twentieth century’s greatest social and intellectual follies are evidence of just that, and with the gravest consequences for the world at large. Maybe we can do a better job in the 21st century.

Last edited by BillA (04-20-2009 07:15:27)

drzach · 04-21-2009 12:19:58

BillA wrote:
the twentieth century’s greatest social and intellectual follies

To which are you referring?

rpnman · 05-01-2009 15:15:32

Lewis's last (and best?) book is seldom, in my experience, put forward by Christian bookstores, if it is available at all. It is "Till We Have Faces" and is a re-telling, or re-invention, rather, of the myth of Psyche and Cupid. It is not obvious how to correlate it to a Christian context. If there is to be a discussion of Lewis and his works I'd really like to have this one and "A Pilgrims Regress" included in the mix.

dsawyer · 05-21-2009 03:20:30

I actually think "Till We Have Faces" is one of his two best literary works (the other being The Screwtape Letters).

Lewis's genius was practical -- he was an excellent communicator, and he knew how to reach his audience. As far as his apologetics and theology..."unimpressed" is the most charitable way I could sum up my opinion.

If we revisit this one, I'd like a good month's notice -- I'll need to do some refresher reading to prep properly.
-Dan

UnBeguiled · 05-21-2009 21:17:44

"unimpressed" is the most charitable way I could sum up my opinion.

In my experience, Lewis's Trilemma is the worst commonly encountered argument for Christianity. It is in fact so feeble, that every time I hear it I'm more convinced that Christianity is untenable.

That Christians are forced to use such horribly flawed arguments is strong circumstantial evidence that something other than reasoned argument accounts for their beliefs.

I think "Really Bad Arguments" would be an interesting topic for the show. Christians should realize that the continued use of fallacious arguments only serves to weaken their case.

GodKillzYou · 08-25-2009 20:22:46

I've never read anything by Lewis as far as Christianity is concerned. I just got "The Problem of Pain" and "Mere Christianity" in the mail today. I'm just waiting for "The Screwtape Letters" to show up. It was on a separate order.

I've heard so much about Lewis from the podcast that I've been compelled to read him. We'll see how it goes.

GodKillzYou · 09-07-2009 14:53:57

Ok, so I read "The Problem Of Pain." Still not sure what to think of it. For the most part, it seems that he's either making excuses, or basing his arguments on acceptance of the Bible as the inspired word of God.

Instead of admitting that God understood the potential of giving people Free Will, Lewis concludes that that capacity for evil is necessary. I don't really consider that valid, because then why would God be so outraged when the "evil" actually occurred? It's like throwing a glass across the room and getting pissed off when it breaks.

I would only consider it a valid argument if God were an irrational, short-tempered, childish god. But then, who would worship that type of God?

Apologia Podcast

Apologia Forum

#1 04-15-2009 15:47:26

C.S. Lewis

#2 04-20-2009 07:14:51

Re: C.S. Lewis

#3 04-21-2009 12:19:58

Re: C.S. Lewis

BillA wrote:

#4 05-01-2009 15:15:32

Re: C.S. Lewis

#5 05-21-2009 03:20:30

Re: C.S. Lewis

#6 05-21-2009 21:17:44

Re: C.S. Lewis

#7 08-25-2009 20:22:46

Re: C.S. Lewis

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#8 09-07-2009 14:53:57

Re: C.S. Lewis

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drzach Moderator	C.S. Lewis From listener Bryan: I think a whole show could be spent discussing the writings of CS Lewis. Lewis' apologetics seems to be very well regarded among most Christians, who think of him as (almost) a saint and an excellent voice for the faith. Among atheists, he seems to be regarded as rather uninformed about textual criticism, logic, and science and perhaps a little naive and simple minded.

BillA Member	Re: C.S. Lewis “The schoolmasters of today were the undergraduates of twenty years ago.” C.S. Lewis Mr. Lewis (not "Saint Lewis") observed that “delayed results” were the norm within the “mental world,” where powerful ideas registered their impact much like intellectual “time bombs,” long after they had been planted (God in the Dock, p. 116). Indeed, most of the twentieth century’s greatest social and intellectual follies are evidence of just that, and with the gravest consequences for the world at large. Maybe we can do a better job in the 21st century. Last edited by BillA (04-20-2009 07:15:27)
	BA "When faithfulness is most difficult, it is most necessary."

drzach Moderator	Re: C.S. Lewis BillA wrote: the twentieth century’s greatest social and intellectual follies To which are you referring?

rpnman New member	Re: C.S. Lewis Lewis's last (and best?) book is seldom, in my experience, put forward by Christian bookstores, if it is available at all. It is "Till We Have Faces" and is a re-telling, or re-invention, rather, of the myth of Psyche and Cupid. It is not obvious how to correlate it to a Christian context. If there is to be a discussion of Lewis and his works I'd really like to have this one and "A Pilgrims Regress" included in the mix.
	-- rpnman -- If religion is opposed to reason and science, faith is impossible; and when faith and confidence in the divine religion are not manifest in the heart, there can be no spiritual attainment. - Abdu'l-Baha, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p 289

dsawyer New member	Re: C.S. Lewis I actually think "Till We Have Faces" is one of his two best literary works (the other being The Screwtape Letters). Lewis's genius was practical -- he was an excellent communicator, and he knew how to reach his audience. As far as his apologetics and theology..."unimpressed" is the most charitable way I could sum up my opinion. If we revisit this one, I'd like a good month's notice -- I'll need to do some refresher reading to prep properly. -Dan

UnBeguiled New member	Re: C.S. Lewis "unimpressed" is the most charitable way I could sum up my opinion. In my experience, Lewis's Trilemma is the worst commonly encountered argument for Christianity. It is in fact so feeble, that every time I hear it I'm more convinced that Christianity is untenable. That Christians are forced to use such horribly flawed arguments is strong circumstantial evidence that something other than reasoned argument accounts for their beliefs. I think "Really Bad Arguments" would be an interesting topic for the show. Christians should realize that the continued use of fallacious arguments only serves to weaken their case.

GodKillzYou Member	Re: C.S. Lewis I've never read anything by Lewis as far as Christianity is concerned. I just got "The Problem of Pain" and "Mere Christianity" in the mail today. I'm just waiting for "The Screwtape Letters" to show up. It was on a separate order. I've heard so much about Lewis from the podcast that I've been compelled to read him. We'll see how it goes.
	For some strange reason I can't update my profile, so here's some info about me... My blog: Sorry. You have to be registered to access this content. Facebook: Sorry. You have to be registered to access this content. Twitter: Sorry. You have to be registered to access this content.

GodKillzYou Member	Re: C.S. Lewis Ok, so I read "The Problem Of Pain." Still not sure what to think of it. For the most part, it seems that he's either making excuses, or basing his arguments on acceptance of the Bible as the inspired word of God. Instead of admitting that God understood the potential of giving people Free Will, Lewis concludes that that capacity for evil is necessary. I don't really consider that valid, because then why would God be so outraged when the "evil" actually occurred? It's like throwing a glass across the room and getting pissed off when it breaks. I would only consider it a valid argument if God were an irrational, short-tempered, childish god. But then, who would worship that type of God?
	For some strange reason I can't update my profile, so here's some info about me... My blog: Sorry. You have to be registered to access this content. Facebook: Sorry. You have to be registered to access this content. Twitter: Sorry. You have to be registered to access this content.