Two books by C. S. Lewis

I recently spoke with an old friend, and talk turned to books. My friend had read C. S. Lewis’ works of Christian apologetics, but not his two finest books (IMO), Till We Have Faces, and The Discarded Image.

Till We have Faces is a novel which retells the myth of Cupid and Psyche. Lewis believed it to be his finest book. It is beautifully written, and is Lewis’ answer to a modern habit of mind he describes this way.

The ancient man approached God (or even the gods) as the accused person approaches his judge. For modern man the roles are reversed. He is judge: God is in the dock. He is quite a kindly judge. If God should have a reasonable defense for being the god who permits war, poverty and disease, he is ready to listen to it. The trial may even end in God’s acquittal. But he important thing is that Man is on the bench and God is in the dock.

from God in the Dock

The Discarded Image examines the medieval mind by examining its beliefs about the structure of reality. Mr Lewis helps the modern reader to step if not into, then at least much closer to, the medieval world. It is a fascinating place, and standing in it allows one to see modern beliefs about reality in another light.

Posted on October 22nd, 2005 by pwyll
Filed under: books

2 Responses to “Two books by C. S. Lewis”

  1. Anonymous, on October 26th, 2005 at 4:49 pm Said:

    Hey! Thanks old friend!8-))

  2. Anonymous, on October 26th, 2005 at 4:56 pm Said:

    Thanks old friend!!

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