Lewis, in which lewis argues that human pain, animal pain, and hell are not sufficient reasons to reject belief in a good and powerful god. Cs lewis theodicy on pain and sufferingaka lewis best. Antony flew examines his views on free will and evil it was in 1940 that c. Lewiss the problem of pain a summary logically faithful. Lewis wrote this book was based on a set of radio talks from 1958. Weve compiled a list of top inspirational and wise c.
Lewis published the problem of pain, his first major defence of christianity. May 23, 20 heres we are far too easily pleased in its native surroundings, from the opening salvo of lewiss remarkable sermon the weight of glory. Fully realizing that he might be underestimating the reality of serious pain, he was compelled to intellectually address the issue, for he understood its profound implications toward belief, or disbelief, in god. With his signature wealth of compassion and insight, c. Lewis, in which lewis argues that human pain, animal pain, and hell are not sufficient. Lewis by the josh benner blog on november 14, 2012 1. Man has the capacity not only to feel pain, but to anticipate pain 4. Randy alcorn was a featured speaker at the 20 desiring god national conference, where he spoke about c.
Youd expect such, given his engagement with theology and literature, let alone observation of human experience and culture. Alhough it is perhaps never vitally important to identify and explore lewiss sources, doing so often proves to be a rewarding enterprise. After the serialization of the screwtape letters, the director of religious broadcasting at the bbc approached lewis and the mere christianity talks were born. Jan 16, 2017 god stepped in and carried me along in my weakness, letting me taste his strength, grace, and love in new ways. Lewis weekly letters to his brother, warnie, away serving in the army during world war ii, lead him to begin writing his first spiritual work, the problem of pain. This was followed in 1942 by the screwtape letters, in 1943 by the abolition of. If god were good, he would wish to make his creatures perfectly happy, and if god were almighty, he would be able to do what he wished. The problem of pain seeks to understand how a loving, good, and powerful god can possibly coexist with the pain and suffering pervasive in the. I first read the problem of pain when i was an impressionable teenager in search of the meaning of life. Lewis offers answers to these crucial questions and shares his hope and wisdom to help.
And what of the suffering of animals, who neither deserve pain nor can be improved by it. It is really a pleasure to be able to praise a book unreservedly, and that is just what i can do with the problem of pain. If god were good, he would make his creatures perfectly happy, and if he were almighty he. Lewis, in which lewis argues that human pain, animal pain, and hell are not sufficient reasons to reject belief in a good and powerful god lewis summarizes the problem of evil as follows. This new revised standard version nrsv bible includes additional readings comprised of selections from lewiss celebrated spiritual classics, a collection that includes mere christianity, the screwtape letters, the great divorce, the problem of pain, miracles, a grief observed, the weight of glory and the abolition of man, as well as letters, poetry, and lewiss lessfamiliar works. The problem of pain study guide breaks down each chapter into easytounderstand questions and commentary to help you find meaning and hope amid the pain. His childrens series, the chronicles of narnia, is among the. Baptized in the church of ireland, lewis fell away from. The problem of pain demonstrates a more distant, less emotional reaction to humanitys situation, while a grief observed reads like a psalm of lament from within pain itself. Lewis the problem of pain is another attempt at christian theodicy, the defense of gods goodness in the face of the worlds evil, written by the wellknown pop theologian and author. Lewiss the problem of pain 1940 and four series of radio talks on the british broadcasting corporation during world war ii later collected as mere christianity, 1952 brought him wide recognition as a lay expositor of christian beliefs. Apr 21, 2008 if lewiss aim in this text is to address the problem of pain that arises out of an affirmation of the existence of god as he suggests in the introduction, then appalling nature of animal pain is a central issue for theodicy because animals, in lewiss view, cannot benefit morally from it. Cs lewis is the ideal persuader for the halfconvinced, for the good man who would like to be a christian but finds his intellect getting in the way.
And lewis, a gifted and elegant writer, authored such books as the abolition of man, mere christianity, the problem of pain, and a preface to paradise lost. He was president of the oxford socratic club and a longtime participant in the inklings, an informal literary group whose members included lewis, j. If lewis s aim in this text is to address the problem of pain that arises out of an affirmation of the existence of god as he suggests in the introduction, then appalling nature of animal pain is a central issue for theodicy because animals, in lewis s view, cannot benefit morally from it. As you probably know, lewis was among the most successful, popular christian writers of the mid20th century. He certainly did so in a sweeping way and often creative way, whether it be the various loves, the megaphone of pain, the devil and temptation, etc. Lewis, one of the most renowned christian authors and thinkers, examines a universally applicable question within the human condition.
In my pain, he has magnified so many of his attributes. Lewis the problem of pain is more relevant than ever. Before doing so, however, he sets the stage, providing background information on what he perceives to be the origins of religion. Lewis week six chapter nine animal pain the christian explanation of human pain cannot be extended to animal pain. Feb 01, 2017 randy alcorn was a featured speaker at the 20 desiring god national conference, where he spoke about c. The problem of pain, cs lewis vision christian store.
Lewis, author of the lion, the witch and the wardrobe, was a tireless academic defender of christianity. In the book he seeks to reconcile gods power and goodness with the presence of evil. If god were good, he would make his creatures perfectly happy, and if he were almighty he would be able to do what he wished. In the natural world life is sustained through the death of other things 3.
At no point does lewis give a concise oneliner as the answer to the problem of pain. Lewis was so uniquely qualified to write about the christian faith was the fact that he had, as a young man, totally rejected it. Napa institute 7312015 first covenant church 532015 c. Early in the book the problem of pain, in an analogy which is the epitome of the brilliance and humor of c. The average person will find lewis helps him come to grips with distressing facts,new york herald tribune. Cs lewiss the four lovesa humble summary logically. As you probably know, lewis was among the most successful, popular christian writers of the mid20th. Lewis, ranging from the chronicles of narnia to his philosophical works to more devotional books. The most reluctant convert, which just had its world premiere in washington, d.
In the first section, he gives three elements of religion, and a fourth that. Thanks for coming by, and click here to learn more about my new novel, red metal. Apr 7, 2016 for centuries people have been tormented by one question above all. If god is good and allpowerful, why does he allow his creatures to suffer pain.
Lewis in the final chapter called heaven in his book the problem of pain, c. Lewis discusses our individuality as persons in relation to the society of heaven and the unity of god. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden. Before lewis attempts to solve the intellectual problem raised by suffering page 10 he describes the origin of religion and how it creates the problem of pain. Lewis asserts that pain is a problem because our finite, human minds selfishly believe that painfree lives would prove that god loves us. Lewis, the acclaimed christian apologist and author, a permanent sense of longing characterized his deepest held beliefs about christianity. Spoilers ahead pain posted a serious objection to christianity and to heavenly authority in general, aggravated by claiming that love is the essence of god. The problem of pain unabridged audiobook on cd 9780060757489 by c. Lewis on suffering and what it means to have free will.
Lewis also wrote extensively on topics related christianity, including miracles and the problem of painthe most famous work in this genre being the screwtape letters. Lewis, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full. The problem of pain study guide expands upon lewis elegant and thoughtful work where he seeks to understand how a loving, good, and powerful god can possibly coexist with the pain and. The problem of pain is a 1940 book on the problem of evil by c. Lewis offers answers to these crucial questions and shares his hope and wisdom to. Lewis had tasted pain in ways that few can relate to. In the natural world creatures prey upon one another 2. Cs lewis, the greatest christian thinking of our time, sets out to offer answers to these crucial questions with a wealth of compassion and insight. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include the chronicles of narnia, out of the silent planet, the four loves, the screwtape letters and mere christianity. Cs lewis clive staples lewis 1898 1963 is one of my favorite authors of all time. Chapter 1 men without chests so he sent the word to slay and slew the little childer. The problem of pain by cs lewis summary, quotes, and. If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the gospels, it would seem that our lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak.
He was neither a clergyman nor a professional theologian. Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil. Alhough it is perhaps never vitally important to identify and explore lewiss sources, doing so often proves to be a. Nov 01, 2010 this new revised standard version nrsv bible includes additional readings comprised of selections from lewiss celebrated spiritual classics, a collection that includes mere christianity, the screwtape letters, the great divorce, the problem of pain, miracles, a grief observed, the weight of glory and the abolition of man, as well as letters, poetry, and lewiss lessfamiliar works. Anyway, i loved the the problem of pain when i first read it. Click here for the complete unabridged audio version of the problem of pain peter faurs study guide to c. Lewis, the problem of pain compiled by arend smilde. Lewis launches the problem of pain with these memorable words. Feb 04, 2018 this video will solve all your problems when it comes to pain. Lewis was an atheist in his 30s because, he says, he believed then that the universe was mostly empty space, dark, cold, and almost entirely unpopulated. The problem of pain demonstrates a more distant, less.
Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales. Lewis asserts that pain is a problem because our finite, human minds selfishly believe that pain free lives would prove that god loves us. He is a british writer and held academic positions in english literature at both oxford university magdalen college, 19251954 and cambridge university magdalene college, 19541963. The problem of pain answers the universal question, why would an allloving, allknowing god allow people to experience pain and suffering. Cs lewis, the problem of pain the problem of reconciling human suffering with the existence of a god who loves, is only insoluble so long as we attach a trivial meaning to the word love, and look on things as if man were the centre of. And though he wrote wisely and winsomely on a wide range of subjects related to the christian life, he devoted relatively little attention to ecclesiology, liturgy, music, and corporate worship. Following is an excerpt from his wondrous meditation. The problem of pain by cs lewis summary, quotes, and chapter. Lewis the problem of pain ten easy answers week one problem of pain, week two problem of pain, week three problem of pain, week four problem of pain, week five problem of pa. Lewiss notes are placed at the bottom of each chapter document. Sehnsucht appeared in many of lewis favorite works of literature, including norse mythology, the poems of wordsworth, and.
This video will solve all your problems when it comes to pain. Jan 16, 2019 lewis commented on the bible throughout his life as a christian. The problem of pain focuses on one question, but thoroughly argues on every aspect. To do so would be pithy and fail to do justice to the weight of the problem. In the problem of pain, lewis grapples with the problem of suffering in a world creating by an ultimately good and powerful god. Beasts are incapable of sin or virtue, so they can neither deserve pain nor be improved by it. The problem of pain study guide contains a biography of c. Lewis ends the book with a look at hell, pain in animals and heaven. Lewis the problem of pain is another attempt at christian theodicy. Lewis puts his wages on a god who holds goodness and pain in a paradox. This classical book on suffering is one of the best i have ever read on the issue. Lewis picture of heaven 1 discuss the imagery of lewis heaven, and what it might have been intended to signify. Lewis, he compares the relationship of god and man to that of a dog owner and his dog. The news of kennedys death swamped what would otherwise have been a major story on the death of one of the most influential men of his timec.
I enjoyed your article, and cs lewis has come up with some of the most formidable defenses against the persistent 5. Lewis institute atlanta continued from previous page. Not many years ago when i was an atheist one of the reasons c. Lewiss books, the problem of pain 1940 is full of unreferenced allusions to a great variety of writers. Fully realizing that he might be underestimating the reality of serious pain, he was compelled to intellectually address the issue, for he understood its. Lewis 1898 1963 was a novelist, poet, and academic, who is well known for his work the chronicles of narnia. After the serialization of the screwtape letters, the director of religious broadcasting at the bbc approached lewis and the. In 1940, at age fortytwo, lewis penned the problem of pain accompanied by a humble, written admission. Lewis may seem like an odd subject for study when it comes to the theology and practice of worship. The two texts compliment one another by identifying parts of our struggle, the intellectual and physical difficulty life will bring, and how. Paperback with french flaps and deckled page edges. Pain, then, in and of itself is not completely bad or evil. The problem of reconciling human suffering with the existence of a god who loves, is only insoluble so long as we attach a trivial meaning to the word love, and look on things as if man were the centre of them. Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear.
Lewis considers with an elegant sidewise gleam in an essay titled divine omnipotence from his altogether fascinating 1940 book the problem of pain public library a scintillating examination of the concept of free will in a material universe and why suffering is not only a natural but an essential part of the human. In the book he seeks to reconcile gods power and goodness. Unconvincing to one who does not already agree with its basic assumptions. If lewiss aim in this text is to address the problem of pain that arises out of an affirmation of the existence of god as he suggests in the introduction, then appalling nature of animal pain is a central issue for theodicy because animals, in lewiss view, cannot benefit morally from it. God stepped in and carried me along in my weakness, letting me taste his strength, grace, and love in new ways. He identified this feeling with the idea of sehnsucht, a german word meaning longing or desire. The problem of pain jacek bacz the existence of suffering in a world created by a good and almighty god the problem of pain is a fundamental theological dilemma, and perhaps the most serious objection to the christian religion. It can come from the hand of a good, loving, and powerful god who desires the best for his creation, who genuinely allows for us to be free agents who make. The guardian for centuries christians have been tormented by one question above allif god is good and allpowerful, why does he allow his creatures to suffer pain. Lewis commented on the bible throughout his life as a christian. Nov 14, 2012 home commentary the problem of pain and c.
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