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Christian Heroes: Then & Now #34
C.S. Lewis: Master Storyteller
From his earliest childhood, C.S. Lewis loved to hear and tell stories. Persuaded that stories could reveal the truth about the real world in a unique way, the literature professor would write more than thirty books, including science fiction, theology, literary criticism, and fantasy.
In an era marked by two world wars, Lewis attacked tough questions about life and faith headfirst. Convinced that the story of Jesus Christ is the truest of all stories, and known for searching out the truth with honesty, clarity, and imagination, the former atheist would become one of the most influential Christians of the twentieth century (1898-1963).
In an era marked by two world wars, Lewis attacked tough questions about life and faith headfirst. Convinced that the story of Jesus Christ is the truest of all stories, and known for searching out the truth with honesty, clarity, and imagination, the former atheist would become one of the most influential Christians of the twentieth century (1898-1963).
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
62 people are currently reading
867 people want to read
About the author
Janet Benge
175 books307 followersJanet and Geoff Benge are a husband and wife writing team with twenty years of writing experience. They are best known for the books in the two series Christian Heroes: Then & Now series and Heroes of History. Janet is a former elementary school teacher. Geoff holds a degree in history. Together they have a passion to make history come alive for a new generation. Originally from New Zealand, the Benges make their home in the Orlando, Florida, area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
December 21, 2024
A writer of fantasy, a WW1 veteran, a converted atheist to Christian, an honorable man, a scholar and professor. This concise novel was packed full of information about him, the times, and his friendships. He made a pact with a WW1 buddy that if either died, they would act as a son to the other’s remaining parent. His buddy was killed and CS Lewis, called Jack, took care of his friend’s mother for 30 years.
May 31, 2024
(4/5 stars)
This little book strikes a beautiful balance between depth and conciseness. I learned many interesting facts about C.S. Lewis that I would have otherwise not known. Chiefly, Lewis promised Paddy Moore, his best friend and fellow soldier during WW2, that he would care for his family should he die in battle. Paddy died sadly, and Lewis took care of Paddy’s mother, Mrs. Moore, until the day of her death. The relationship, which started with love and tenderness from Mrs. Moore, morphed into what some have described as verbal abuse. Mrs. Moore often made Lewis do menial tasks around the house, interrupting his work and berating him with snide comments. Lewis’s brother, Warren Lewis, described Lewis’s 30 years of looking after Mrs. Moore as “voluntary slavery.”
From his growing up in Belfast, Ireland, to his rise to prominence by publishing the Screwtape letters in the Guardian and BBC radio broadcasts during WW2, C.S. Lewis’s life was filled with a mix of warmth and tragedy. I deeply desire to emulate Lewis’s immense love for God shown through his writing, teaching, philosophy, and stories. I highly recommend the audio version of this book read by Tim Gregory. The audiobook is available on Canon+ with a subscription (< 5 hours), and I look forward to reading this short book again.
To end, below is one scene from C.S. Lewis's The Magician’s Nephew that gave me “a sense of reverence and awe and wonder and transcendence, for the sake of God’s glory and for [my] own hungry soul" (John Piper):
“Digory kept his mouth very tight shut. He had been growing more and more uncomfortable. He hoped that, whatever happened, he wouldn't blub or do anything ridiculous. "Son of Adam," said Aslan. "Are you ready to undo the wrong that you have done to my sweet country of Narnia on the very day of its birth?" "Well, I don't see what I can do," said Digory. "You see, the Queen ran away and-" "I asked, are you ready?" said the Lion. "Yes," said Digory. He had had for a second some wild idea of saying "I'll try to help you if you'll promise to help my Mother," but he realized in time that the Lion was not at all the sort of person one could try to make bargains with. But when he had said "Yes," he thought of his Mother, and he thought of the great hopes he had had, and how they were all dying away, and a lump came in his throat and tears in his eyes, and he blurted out: "But please, please--won't you- can't you give me something that will cure Mother?" Up till then he had been looking at the Lion's great feet and the huge claws on them; now, in his despair, he looked up at its face. What he saw surprised him as much as anything in his whole life. For the tawny face was bent down near his own and (wonder of wonders) great shining tears stood in the Lion's eyes. They were such big, bright tears compared with Digory's own that for a moment he felt as if the Lion must really be sorrier about his Mother than he was himself. "My son, my son, said Aslan. "I know. Grief is great. Only you and I in this land know that yet. Let us be good to one another. But I have to think of hundreds of years in the life of Narnia.”
This little book strikes a beautiful balance between depth and conciseness. I learned many interesting facts about C.S. Lewis that I would have otherwise not known. Chiefly, Lewis promised Paddy Moore, his best friend and fellow soldier during WW2, that he would care for his family should he die in battle. Paddy died sadly, and Lewis took care of Paddy’s mother, Mrs. Moore, until the day of her death. The relationship, which started with love and tenderness from Mrs. Moore, morphed into what some have described as verbal abuse. Mrs. Moore often made Lewis do menial tasks around the house, interrupting his work and berating him with snide comments. Lewis’s brother, Warren Lewis, described Lewis’s 30 years of looking after Mrs. Moore as “voluntary slavery.”
From his growing up in Belfast, Ireland, to his rise to prominence by publishing the Screwtape letters in the Guardian and BBC radio broadcasts during WW2, C.S. Lewis’s life was filled with a mix of warmth and tragedy. I deeply desire to emulate Lewis’s immense love for God shown through his writing, teaching, philosophy, and stories. I highly recommend the audio version of this book read by Tim Gregory. The audiobook is available on Canon+ with a subscription (< 5 hours), and I look forward to reading this short book again.
To end, below is one scene from C.S. Lewis's The Magician’s Nephew that gave me “a sense of reverence and awe and wonder and transcendence, for the sake of God’s glory and for [my] own hungry soul" (John Piper):
“Digory kept his mouth very tight shut. He had been growing more and more uncomfortable. He hoped that, whatever happened, he wouldn't blub or do anything ridiculous. "Son of Adam," said Aslan. "Are you ready to undo the wrong that you have done to my sweet country of Narnia on the very day of its birth?" "Well, I don't see what I can do," said Digory. "You see, the Queen ran away and-" "I asked, are you ready?" said the Lion. "Yes," said Digory. He had had for a second some wild idea of saying "I'll try to help you if you'll promise to help my Mother," but he realized in time that the Lion was not at all the sort of person one could try to make bargains with. But when he had said "Yes," he thought of his Mother, and he thought of the great hopes he had had, and how they were all dying away, and a lump came in his throat and tears in his eyes, and he blurted out: "But please, please--won't you- can't you give me something that will cure Mother?" Up till then he had been looking at the Lion's great feet and the huge claws on them; now, in his despair, he looked up at its face. What he saw surprised him as much as anything in his whole life. For the tawny face was bent down near his own and (wonder of wonders) great shining tears stood in the Lion's eyes. They were such big, bright tears compared with Digory's own that for a moment he felt as if the Lion must really be sorrier about his Mother than he was himself. "My son, my son, said Aslan. "I know. Grief is great. Only you and I in this land know that yet. Let us be good to one another. But I have to think of hundreds of years in the life of Narnia.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2025
Jack văzuse atâția adulți manifestându-și sentimentele în ultimele luni, cât să îi ajungă pentru toată viața.
-
Lui Jack, pe de altă parte, îi plăceau toate materiile, mai puțin matematica. Îi plăcea să traducă opere din limbi clasice și să citească lucrări metafizice.
-
Jack și-a acceptat pedeapsa și a jurat să nu mai accepte niciodată informații la mâna a doua, când putea foarte simplu să le obțină singur.
-
Jack a avut discuții cu mulți dintre acești bărbați și a observat ce prietenii ciudate lega războiul între oameni atât de diferiți. Îi plăcea, de asemenea, să citească cărțile pe care bărbații le împărțeau între ei.
Deseori, acestea erau atât de uzate trecând prin atâtea mâini, incât erau cusute cu sfoarã ca sã nu se destrame. Niciunul dintre ei nu părea deranjat de starea cărtilor atâta timp cât aveau ceva sã citeascã si sã nu se mai gândească la starea jal-nicã din jurul lor.
-
Printre studii, Jack punea mochete, zugrăvea și săpa grădini. De necrezut, a reușit să ia în continuare note bune.
-
În ciuda tuturor acelor schimbări exterioare, Jack s-a maturizat ca cititor și scriitor, lucru reflectat și în distincțiile pe care a început să le colecționeze. In aprilie 1920 a câstigat diploma pentru premiul I in studii clasice, premiul rectorului pentru un eseu scris in engleza si un alt premiu I pentru lite-ratură in 1923.
Insã a avut loc un incident care i-a umbrit aceastã peri-
oada din viat. In martie 1921, Jack a aflat ca batranul saน
profesor, William Kirkpatrick, „Batrânul Knock", a murit.
Jack si-a notat gândurile la aflarea acestei vesti. „Sărmanul bãtrân Kirk, li datorez in sfera intelectuala tot ce ii poate datora o fintã umană alteia. Faptul că m-a ajutat să obtin o bursã e cel mai mic lucru pe care l-a facut pentru mine. In prezenta lui, am inspirat aerul unei limpezimi impecabile si al unei sinceritati intense in gândire."
Pe vremea aceea, Jack era sigur cà vrea sã calce pe urmele di se incheia cu oc
Bătrânului Knock si să devină profesor particular de engleza.
richi Cairersittpie
dup
A depus cerere la fiecare slujbà vacantà la universitate. Nu a in neasi sali pentru : Vinen
ul cinei.
na dur
reusit să obtină primele două posturi, dar la a treia incercare stiltea
a avut succes. Era un post de profesor suplinitor de filosofie, noul
findcã titularul era plecat in SUA pentru o perioadă de un an. Jack s-a descurcat nemaipomenit de bine in această nouă pozitie si a apreciat nespus că, in sfârsit, putea sã-si câstige singur banii. A simit că nu mai trebuia sã se ascundã de tatăl sãu si sã nu ii spună pe ce îi cheltuia banii. Slujba i-a oferit lui Jack sansa de a vorbi prima oarã in public si, intr-o scrisoare trimisã tatălui säu, Jack a subliniat ce avea de gând sã spună in prelegerile sale viitoare: „Trebuie sã tin două de la Oxton
Catedra
att acolo
" duci cum
de
0
prelegeri pe săptămânã, in total paisprezece ore ... Mi-ar placea sã pot spune lumii tot ce stiu despre absolut tot in cinci ore - Doamne, si când mã gândesc ce se mai plâng preotii că trebuie sã predice douăzeci de minute pe săptămână ...
[Eu) trebuie să invät aceastã metodã lentã si deliberatã atât de dragã lectorului adevărat."
Ilotecá. Câtiv
Jack s-a acomodat destul de repede cu predarea si a ince-put sã se bucure de provocarea de a-si angrena studentii in subiect. A decis sã nu citeascã direct din notite, findcă, facând asta, de cele mai multe ori, isi adormea studentii. In schimb, a inceput sã isi noteze ideile pe foi de hârtie si sã le detalieze atât cât sã se incadreze in timpul alocat pentru curs. Ii plăcea sã facă parte din cele două lumi - cea intelectualã, antrenantă, ca profesor la Oxford, si rolul practic, de familist in casa Moore. Zilele lui devenirà curând o rutină. Lua micul-dejun la cantina colegiului in fiecare zi din săptămână, isi sustinea cursurile in fiecare dimineată, apoi mergea pe jos la casa Moore, unde lua prânzul. După aceea, facea câteva treburi pe lângă casă pentru Janie Moore, apoi se intorcea din nou pe jos la colegiu, unde după-masa fie preda, fie tinea prelegeri.
-
J.A. era obsedat de folosirea corectă a cuvintelor, deprindere pe care i-a transmis-o și lui Jack.
-
Combinatia mesajului cărtii lui Chesterton si credinta cucernicã a lui Tolkien au inceput sã il influenteze pe Jack, care a gãsit o logicã destul de convingătoare in Omul etern, ce l-a facut sã reconsidere ce credea despre Dumnezeu.
In cele din urmã, Jack a decis că avea credintã in Dumnezeu - nu in sens biblic, ci intr-un fel de fiintã supremã care incearcã sã comunice cu oamenii. Odată ce Jack a ajuns la aceasta con-cluzie, a inceput sã participe la slujbele Bisericii Anglicane ca un act de declaratie fatã de sine si de altii că nu se mai considera ateu.
-
“DI Lewis e o raritate - un talent radio innăscut: natu-ral, dar la obiect. Nici nu te acosteaza, nici nu te bom-bardeaza; nu dã dovadã nici de o falsã apropiere, nici de o falsã elocventà. Te abordeaza direct, ca pe o fintă rationalã, care nu poate fi convinsà decât de ratiune. E increzator si totusi modest in posesia si propagarea ade-vãrului. Il ajutã vocea deosebit de incântătoare si stilul sincer de manifestare.”
-
Pentru mine, intregul proces seamanã mai mult cu admirarea pasărilor decât cu activitati ca vorbitul sau elaborarea. Căci eu vãd imagini. Unele au o aromã cunoscutà, aproape un miros familiar, care le face sã se potriveascã. Stai si asteaptã in liniste, iar ele incep sã se grupeze unele cu altele. Dacã esti norocos (eu nu sunt chiar asa de norocos) te trezesti cu un mănunchi de idei si toată povestea e completã; nu mai trebuie sã faci nimic.
Dar, de cele mai multe ori (în cazul meu, intotdeauna), apar goluri. Si atunci nu ai ce face decât sã inventezi de unul singur.
-
Întrebări:
1. Care este unul dintre darurile care Jack le avea de când era deja copil?
- Fascinația de a asculta și scrie povești.
- Pasiunea de a construi.
- Darul de a fi un om foarte sociabil.
2. Prin ce anume Dumnezeu l-a modelat pe Jack în caracterul său de când era copil?
- Prin suferință.
- Prin faptul că era mult mai slab ca ceilalți copii.
- Prin singurătate.
3. De ce a renunțat Jack a crede în Dumnezeu?
- Profesorul Kirkpatrick a fost un ateu convins și l-a provocat deseori că Biblia nu este adevărată și Dumnezeu nu există.
- Jack a considerat că suferiseră prea mult și prin aceasta Dumnezeu nu era bun, așa cum zice Biblia, așa că a renunțat să creadă în Dumnezeu si Cuvântul Său.
- Prietenul său Arthur l-a convins că viața fără a fi credincios este mai frumoasă.
4. De ce s-a îngrijit Jack de familia Moore după război?
- Pentru că făcuse cu Paddy înțelegerea, că își vor ajuta apropiații lor, dacă unul dintre ei va muri în război.
- Pentru că Jack se îndrăgostise de Maureen Moore.
- Pentru că nu avea altundeva să steie.
5. Prin ce împrejurare Jack și-a întărit credința, ajungând la convingerea că Isus Hristos este Fiul lui Dumnezeu?
- Prietenii apropiați, Dyson și Tolkien, au vorbit cu el mult despre credință.
- În primul război mondial era cât pe ce să moară, iar în urma unei rugăciuni s-a întors la Domnul.
- În spital l-a vizitat un predicator și l-a putut convinge că există Dumnezeu, iar Isus este Fiul Lui, care s-a jertfit pe Sine pentru păcatele omenirii.
6. Cum de oamenii, în timpul bombardamentelor celor de al doilea război mondial, erau mai deschiși pentru a asculta la radio emisiuni despre credință?
- În vremuri de necaz și suferință oamenii în general se lasă cercetați mai profund de Dumnezeu și Cuvântul Lui.
- Statul englezesc a făcut multă reclamă creștinismului, ca să abată atenția oamenilor de la grozăviile războiului.
- Oamenii ascultau aceste emisiuni din cauză că Jack era deja dinainte un om foarte vestit și popular în Anglia.
7. Ce îi plăcea lui Jack să facă pe lângă preocupările lui?
- Plimbări lungi și discuții filosofice.
- Să se uite la Rugby.
- Să se plimbe prin orașele „vii“
8. De ce Jack era considerat un om foarte bun când era vorba de menținerea unei poziții creștine?
- Jack avea un stil foarte rațional dar totuși natural de a argumenta.
- Era un om încântător de sociabil, prin această caracteristică influența pe oamenii cu care vorbea.
- Warren l-a ajutat semnificativ în arta de a analiza oamenii, așa că știa mai bine, cum să răspundă.
9. Pentru cine era destinată “The Kilns” după decesul doamnei Moore?
- Maureen Moore.
- Jack și Warren.
- Jack și Joy.
10. Jack avea darul de a scrie. Cum a reușit la urma urmei să ajungă să folosească acest talant la un nivel atât de înalt?
- A investit de când era un copil enorm de mult timp și energie în a dezvolta acest dar, iar fascinația și interesul pentru citit și discuții adânci nu i-a scăzut.
- Jack primise o prorocie când avea opt ani, că Dumnezeu îl va folosi în direcția aceasta, așa că el trebuia doar să aibă credință.
- Jack a avut parte de mult “noroc” în viață, căci tatăl lui, Albert, l-a trimis la cele mai bune și scumpe școli din Anglia. Acestea până la urmă l-au făcut scriitorul care a devenit.
-
Lui Jack, pe de altă parte, îi plăceau toate materiile, mai puțin matematica. Îi plăcea să traducă opere din limbi clasice și să citească lucrări metafizice.
-
Jack și-a acceptat pedeapsa și a jurat să nu mai accepte niciodată informații la mâna a doua, când putea foarte simplu să le obțină singur.
-
Jack a avut discuții cu mulți dintre acești bărbați și a observat ce prietenii ciudate lega războiul între oameni atât de diferiți. Îi plăcea, de asemenea, să citească cărțile pe care bărbații le împărțeau între ei.
Deseori, acestea erau atât de uzate trecând prin atâtea mâini, incât erau cusute cu sfoarã ca sã nu se destrame. Niciunul dintre ei nu părea deranjat de starea cărtilor atâta timp cât aveau ceva sã citeascã si sã nu se mai gândească la starea jal-nicã din jurul lor.
-
Printre studii, Jack punea mochete, zugrăvea și săpa grădini. De necrezut, a reușit să ia în continuare note bune.
-
În ciuda tuturor acelor schimbări exterioare, Jack s-a maturizat ca cititor și scriitor, lucru reflectat și în distincțiile pe care a început să le colecționeze. In aprilie 1920 a câstigat diploma pentru premiul I in studii clasice, premiul rectorului pentru un eseu scris in engleza si un alt premiu I pentru lite-ratură in 1923.
Insã a avut loc un incident care i-a umbrit aceastã peri-
oada din viat. In martie 1921, Jack a aflat ca batranul saน
profesor, William Kirkpatrick, „Batrânul Knock", a murit.
Jack si-a notat gândurile la aflarea acestei vesti. „Sărmanul bãtrân Kirk, li datorez in sfera intelectuala tot ce ii poate datora o fintã umană alteia. Faptul că m-a ajutat să obtin o bursã e cel mai mic lucru pe care l-a facut pentru mine. In prezenta lui, am inspirat aerul unei limpezimi impecabile si al unei sinceritati intense in gândire."
Pe vremea aceea, Jack era sigur cà vrea sã calce pe urmele di se incheia cu oc
Bătrânului Knock si să devină profesor particular de engleza.
richi Cairersittpie
dup
A depus cerere la fiecare slujbà vacantà la universitate. Nu a in neasi sali pentru : Vinen
ul cinei.
na dur
reusit să obtină primele două posturi, dar la a treia incercare stiltea
a avut succes. Era un post de profesor suplinitor de filosofie, noul
findcã titularul era plecat in SUA pentru o perioadă de un an. Jack s-a descurcat nemaipomenit de bine in această nouă pozitie si a apreciat nespus că, in sfârsit, putea sã-si câstige singur banii. A simit că nu mai trebuia sã se ascundã de tatăl sãu si sã nu ii spună pe ce îi cheltuia banii. Slujba i-a oferit lui Jack sansa de a vorbi prima oarã in public si, intr-o scrisoare trimisã tatălui säu, Jack a subliniat ce avea de gând sã spună in prelegerile sale viitoare: „Trebuie sã tin două de la Oxton
Catedra
att acolo
" duci cum
de
0
prelegeri pe săptămânã, in total paisprezece ore ... Mi-ar placea sã pot spune lumii tot ce stiu despre absolut tot in cinci ore - Doamne, si când mã gândesc ce se mai plâng preotii că trebuie sã predice douăzeci de minute pe săptămână ...
[Eu) trebuie să invät aceastã metodã lentã si deliberatã atât de dragã lectorului adevărat."
Ilotecá. Câtiv
Jack s-a acomodat destul de repede cu predarea si a ince-put sã se bucure de provocarea de a-si angrena studentii in subiect. A decis sã nu citeascã direct din notite, findcă, facând asta, de cele mai multe ori, isi adormea studentii. In schimb, a inceput sã isi noteze ideile pe foi de hârtie si sã le detalieze atât cât sã se incadreze in timpul alocat pentru curs. Ii plăcea sã facă parte din cele două lumi - cea intelectualã, antrenantă, ca profesor la Oxford, si rolul practic, de familist in casa Moore. Zilele lui devenirà curând o rutină. Lua micul-dejun la cantina colegiului in fiecare zi din săptămână, isi sustinea cursurile in fiecare dimineată, apoi mergea pe jos la casa Moore, unde lua prânzul. După aceea, facea câteva treburi pe lângă casă pentru Janie Moore, apoi se intorcea din nou pe jos la colegiu, unde după-masa fie preda, fie tinea prelegeri.
-
J.A. era obsedat de folosirea corectă a cuvintelor, deprindere pe care i-a transmis-o și lui Jack.
-
Combinatia mesajului cărtii lui Chesterton si credinta cucernicã a lui Tolkien au inceput sã il influenteze pe Jack, care a gãsit o logicã destul de convingătoare in Omul etern, ce l-a facut sã reconsidere ce credea despre Dumnezeu.
In cele din urmã, Jack a decis că avea credintã in Dumnezeu - nu in sens biblic, ci intr-un fel de fiintã supremã care incearcã sã comunice cu oamenii. Odată ce Jack a ajuns la aceasta con-cluzie, a inceput sã participe la slujbele Bisericii Anglicane ca un act de declaratie fatã de sine si de altii că nu se mai considera ateu.
-
“DI Lewis e o raritate - un talent radio innăscut: natu-ral, dar la obiect. Nici nu te acosteaza, nici nu te bom-bardeaza; nu dã dovadã nici de o falsã apropiere, nici de o falsã elocventà. Te abordeaza direct, ca pe o fintă rationalã, care nu poate fi convinsà decât de ratiune. E increzator si totusi modest in posesia si propagarea ade-vãrului. Il ajutã vocea deosebit de incântătoare si stilul sincer de manifestare.”
-
Pentru mine, intregul proces seamanã mai mult cu admirarea pasărilor decât cu activitati ca vorbitul sau elaborarea. Căci eu vãd imagini. Unele au o aromã cunoscutà, aproape un miros familiar, care le face sã se potriveascã. Stai si asteaptã in liniste, iar ele incep sã se grupeze unele cu altele. Dacã esti norocos (eu nu sunt chiar asa de norocos) te trezesti cu un mănunchi de idei si toată povestea e completã; nu mai trebuie sã faci nimic.
Dar, de cele mai multe ori (în cazul meu, intotdeauna), apar goluri. Si atunci nu ai ce face decât sã inventezi de unul singur.
-
Întrebări:
1. Care este unul dintre darurile care Jack le avea de când era deja copil?
- Fascinația de a asculta și scrie povești.
- Pasiunea de a construi.
- Darul de a fi un om foarte sociabil.
2. Prin ce anume Dumnezeu l-a modelat pe Jack în caracterul său de când era copil?
- Prin suferință.
- Prin faptul că era mult mai slab ca ceilalți copii.
- Prin singurătate.
3. De ce a renunțat Jack a crede în Dumnezeu?
- Profesorul Kirkpatrick a fost un ateu convins și l-a provocat deseori că Biblia nu este adevărată și Dumnezeu nu există.
- Jack a considerat că suferiseră prea mult și prin aceasta Dumnezeu nu era bun, așa cum zice Biblia, așa că a renunțat să creadă în Dumnezeu si Cuvântul Său.
- Prietenul său Arthur l-a convins că viața fără a fi credincios este mai frumoasă.
4. De ce s-a îngrijit Jack de familia Moore după război?
- Pentru că făcuse cu Paddy înțelegerea, că își vor ajuta apropiații lor, dacă unul dintre ei va muri în război.
- Pentru că Jack se îndrăgostise de Maureen Moore.
- Pentru că nu avea altundeva să steie.
5. Prin ce împrejurare Jack și-a întărit credința, ajungând la convingerea că Isus Hristos este Fiul lui Dumnezeu?
- Prietenii apropiați, Dyson și Tolkien, au vorbit cu el mult despre credință.
- În primul război mondial era cât pe ce să moară, iar în urma unei rugăciuni s-a întors la Domnul.
- În spital l-a vizitat un predicator și l-a putut convinge că există Dumnezeu, iar Isus este Fiul Lui, care s-a jertfit pe Sine pentru păcatele omenirii.
6. Cum de oamenii, în timpul bombardamentelor celor de al doilea război mondial, erau mai deschiși pentru a asculta la radio emisiuni despre credință?
- În vremuri de necaz și suferință oamenii în general se lasă cercetați mai profund de Dumnezeu și Cuvântul Lui.
- Statul englezesc a făcut multă reclamă creștinismului, ca să abată atenția oamenilor de la grozăviile războiului.
- Oamenii ascultau aceste emisiuni din cauză că Jack era deja dinainte un om foarte vestit și popular în Anglia.
7. Ce îi plăcea lui Jack să facă pe lângă preocupările lui?
- Plimbări lungi și discuții filosofice.
- Să se uite la Rugby.
- Să se plimbe prin orașele „vii“
8. De ce Jack era considerat un om foarte bun când era vorba de menținerea unei poziții creștine?
- Jack avea un stil foarte rațional dar totuși natural de a argumenta.
- Era un om încântător de sociabil, prin această caracteristică influența pe oamenii cu care vorbea.
- Warren l-a ajutat semnificativ în arta de a analiza oamenii, așa că știa mai bine, cum să răspundă.
9. Pentru cine era destinată “The Kilns” după decesul doamnei Moore?
- Maureen Moore.
- Jack și Warren.
- Jack și Joy.
10. Jack avea darul de a scrie. Cum a reușit la urma urmei să ajungă să folosească acest talant la un nivel atât de înalt?
- A investit de când era un copil enorm de mult timp și energie în a dezvolta acest dar, iar fascinația și interesul pentru citit și discuții adânci nu i-a scăzut.
- Jack primise o prorocie când avea opt ani, că Dumnezeu îl va folosi în direcția aceasta, așa că el trebuia doar să aibă credință.
- Jack a avut parte de mult “noroc” în viață, căci tatăl lui, Albert, l-a trimis la cele mai bune și scumpe școli din Anglia. Acestea până la urmă l-au făcut scriitorul care a devenit.
September 22, 2017
This book was even better the second time! I loved it!
February 13, 2024
Like the other Christian Heroes books, this was a quick, simple, and encouraging biography. It turns out that I knew nothing about CS Lewis — including that everyone called him Jack, that he served in WWI, and that he didn’t marry until age 57 and only then in a civil ceremony to help with a woman’s immigration status (he did end up falling in love with her later). It seems he was a private person and not much was included about his personal faith and discipleship. Instead, it focused on his writing and how he was faithful with the gifts and opportunities God gave him.
The most interesting part to me was the retelling of his conversion story and conversations with Tolkien; “do you lack the imagination necessary to believe?”
The most interesting part to me was the retelling of his conversion story and conversations with Tolkien; “do you lack the imagination necessary to believe?”
March 30, 2025
Great overview of the life of C. S. Lewis at a fairly easy reading level. Would work great for a read aloud for younger elementary, or for middle grade readers to pick up on their own. Also great for those adults who just want a brief, general overview of his life that is easy to read.
June 15, 2024
Informative. One of their better books. Though, I’ve realized that I am not a huge fan of the Benge’s style of writing biographies.
November 19, 2024
Although written for young people, this is one of the most interesting biographies of Lewis that I have ever read. I listened to the audiobook version, which had an excellent narrator.
August 11, 2024
Well done. Wish it would have spent more time on Lewis’ theology/beliefs.
February 25, 2025
In Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Professor Henry Jones says: "We named the *dog* Indiana."
Sallah, who is acted by John Rhys Davies says, "The dog? You are named after the dog?
And just as Indiana Jones only wanted to be referred to by his pet dogs name, so C.S. Lewis refused to acknowledge anyone who called him anything other than that of his pet dog, "Jacksie."
Thus everyone, even J.R.R. Tolkien called C.S. Lewis since he was 4 years old by the name Jack.
It was amazing to read about the friendship of JRR Tolkien and how he brought CS Lewis to become not just a Christian, but the author of one of the most perennial apologetics books on the case for Christ in Mere Christianity, a book i have read a couple times, including once at Fort Benning for military basic training.
Sallah, who is acted by John Rhys Davies says, "The dog? You are named after the dog?
And just as Indiana Jones only wanted to be referred to by his pet dogs name, so C.S. Lewis refused to acknowledge anyone who called him anything other than that of his pet dog, "Jacksie."
Thus everyone, even J.R.R. Tolkien called C.S. Lewis since he was 4 years old by the name Jack.
It was amazing to read about the friendship of JRR Tolkien and how he brought CS Lewis to become not just a Christian, but the author of one of the most perennial apologetics books on the case for Christ in Mere Christianity, a book i have read a couple times, including once at Fort Benning for military basic training.
February 6, 2022
I've read several books in the Christian Heroes: Then & Now series, and while they often cover what's been said before for younger readers, they sometimes have surprising insights that others haven't covered. Here, I was impressed with some of the insights into Albert Lewis, who often gets mischaracterized as the wet blanket in his son's life.
July 3, 2024
Audio book. Interesting listen into the life of this author. Not just a writer of Christian based books but someone who lived a Christian based life. Loved hearing how he took on looking after people in his life.
July 1, 2022
Amazing!
April 19, 2023
This is a great introduction into the life of C.S. Lewis for kids.
January 31, 2024
This is one of my new favorite books of this series! Wow! It was so interesting reading C.S. Lewis' life story!! I definitely need to reread this. 🥰
August 4, 2024
I love this series of books! This book in particular connected so many dots in my mind about C. S Lewis and his books that I've read thus far. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it!
June 17, 2020
Every time I read this book, I want to read The Chronicles of Narnia right afterward. This is one of my favorites — I have no hesitation in giving it 5 stars!
June 19, 2025
Read this biography out loud with my kids. We enjoyed learning about Lewis’s life, however the writing style was dry and not very captivating.
February 10, 2024
3.25/5⭐️
Siempre le guardaré un gran cariño a C.S. Lewis porque fue el primer autor que leí de niña
Siempre le guardaré un gran cariño a C.S. Lewis porque fue el primer autor que leí de niña
February 19, 2025
We loved this one!!! As a family bedtime read aloud, we all learned a lot about C.S. Lewis and his life and writings... The kids were engaged the whole book and always asked to read "just a bit more, please?" 😅
There are a few choices Lewis makes along the way where we had to do a little parenting through to explain why it wasn't the best idea or in line with what God wants, but that was a good exercise for all of us. (Also a couple sentences about climbing through body parts during WWI that I skipped over 🫣) But nothing too bad.
Gives some context for reading Narnia now! That was probably our favorite part ❤️ Definitely recommend for Narnia lovers!
There are a few choices Lewis makes along the way where we had to do a little parenting through to explain why it wasn't the best idea or in line with what God wants, but that was a good exercise for all of us. (Also a couple sentences about climbing through body parts during WWI that I skipped over 🫣) But nothing too bad.
Gives some context for reading Narnia now! That was probably our favorite part ❤️ Definitely recommend for Narnia lovers!
June 18, 2016
I enjoyed reading about the life of C. S. Lewis and finding out a few more things I did not know. The writing of this particular book was not spectacular or overly engaging, but I still enjoyed it because it was on C. S. Lewis' life. I particularly enjoyed the last half though which had things like the first names of many of his books before they were published and of course the order in which they were written and published and other things about his writing life and inspiration.
April 8, 2015
of course 5 stars
I'm so happy to know more about this Master storyteller
I'm so happy to know more about this Master storyteller
September 26, 2016
This sums up so much. "Any fool can write learned language. The vernacular is the real test. If you can't turn your faith into it, then either you don't understand it, or you don't believe it."
June 22, 2023
As an avid reader of biographies, I was drawn to "C.S. Lewis: Master Storyteller" by Janet and Geoff Benge, especially considering my personal connection to the authors through my maiden name, Benge. This book exceeded my expectations and provided a captivating exploration of the life and literary contributions of C.S. Lewis.
From his earliest years, Lewis's affinity for storytelling is evident. The authors beautifully illustrate how he believed that stories held the power to unveil profound truths about the real world. As a literature professor, Lewis went on to write over thirty books across diverse genres, including science fiction, theology, literary criticism, and fantasy.
Set against the backdrop of two world wars, Lewis fearlessly confronted challenging questions about life and faith. His conviction in the story of Jesus Christ as the ultimate truth propelled him to become one of the most influential Christians of the twentieth century. Known for his honest, clear, and imaginative pursuit of truth, Lewis's transformation from an atheist to a renowned figure is truly remarkable.
Janet and Geoff Benge skillfully present Lewis's life in a compelling manner. They capture his love for stories, his intellectual pursuits, and his spiritual journey, painting a well-rounded picture of this master storyteller. The authors' research is meticulous, providing historical and contextual details that enhance the reader's understanding of Lewis's life and the significance of his work.
"C.S. Lewis: Master Storyteller" strikes a balance between scholarly analysis and engaging storytelling. It allows readers to connect intimately with Lewis and his profound ideas without overwhelming them with technical language or excessive academic discourse. The book is accessible to readers of various backgrounds and serves as a source of inspiration for those seeking intellectual honesty and spiritual exploration.
In conclusion, "C.S. Lewis: Master Storyteller" is an outstanding biography that delves into the life and achievements of one of the most influential Christians of the twentieth century. Janet and Geoff Benge's writing brings Lewis's story to life, capturing his love for storytelling, his intellectual pursuits, and his unwavering commitment to truth. This book is highly recommended for biography enthusiasts, fans of C.S. Lewis, and anyone seeking inspiration from a life dedicated to the power of stories and the pursuit of truth.
From his earliest years, Lewis's affinity for storytelling is evident. The authors beautifully illustrate how he believed that stories held the power to unveil profound truths about the real world. As a literature professor, Lewis went on to write over thirty books across diverse genres, including science fiction, theology, literary criticism, and fantasy.
Set against the backdrop of two world wars, Lewis fearlessly confronted challenging questions about life and faith. His conviction in the story of Jesus Christ as the ultimate truth propelled him to become one of the most influential Christians of the twentieth century. Known for his honest, clear, and imaginative pursuit of truth, Lewis's transformation from an atheist to a renowned figure is truly remarkable.
Janet and Geoff Benge skillfully present Lewis's life in a compelling manner. They capture his love for stories, his intellectual pursuits, and his spiritual journey, painting a well-rounded picture of this master storyteller. The authors' research is meticulous, providing historical and contextual details that enhance the reader's understanding of Lewis's life and the significance of his work.
"C.S. Lewis: Master Storyteller" strikes a balance between scholarly analysis and engaging storytelling. It allows readers to connect intimately with Lewis and his profound ideas without overwhelming them with technical language or excessive academic discourse. The book is accessible to readers of various backgrounds and serves as a source of inspiration for those seeking intellectual honesty and spiritual exploration.
In conclusion, "C.S. Lewis: Master Storyteller" is an outstanding biography that delves into the life and achievements of one of the most influential Christians of the twentieth century. Janet and Geoff Benge's writing brings Lewis's story to life, capturing his love for storytelling, his intellectual pursuits, and his unwavering commitment to truth. This book is highly recommended for biography enthusiasts, fans of C.S. Lewis, and anyone seeking inspiration from a life dedicated to the power of stories and the pursuit of truth.
September 28, 2015
Originally posted on Creative Madness Mama.
The last several weeks most nights I have been reading aloud and taking turns with my Second Grader to read C.S Lewis, Master Storyteller from the Christian Heroes: Then & Now series by YWAM Publishing {aff} which we were blessed to receive for review as well as a CD Unit Study Guide Curriculum. The book is also available an audiobook and eBook versions and the study guide is available as a download as well. Ours is a physical paperback and CD. The book is very good quality with a glossy cover and is the size of an average trade paperback book with just over 190 pages. On the YWAM website you can see through ISSUU a sample of the book and some screen prints of a sample study guide.
My own childhood was filled with knowledge of the Narnia stories written by "Master Storyteller" C.S. Lewis through BBC dramatizations that had been recorded onto VHS tapes from a PBS special. It was not until after I was married that I actually purchased an omnibus of the series and started to read and get an idea about what all the fuss what about. Within a few years, the newer movie versions started to come to theatre, then add on my own children and we have started to read the series as read aloud storytime books. In my own time, I've read quite a few of Lewis' apologetical devotionals as well as fallen in love with the use of the C.S. Lewis Study Bible also. Thus, I was delighted to start reading Christian Heroes: Then & Now C.S. Lewis, Master Storyteller by Janet & Geoff Benge. I had seen YWAM books and biographies mentioned on various homeschool lists over the last few years in my searching lists, but this is my first experience with one, and I'm very happy with it and definitely plan to look into their books in the future with other characters we need to know from history.From my own experience of words here and there I knew that Lewis was at one point in his life a staunch atheist, but I had not known until reading this with my children that he was quite a faithfilled Christian earlier in his life before he drifted away and then was influenced by a particular tutor. The prose of this autobiography is like a novel, but filled with facts and truth from youth forward and is bringing history alive for our whole family. Reading about the events in the all-boys school and then experiencing the depressions in his family surround him, and even the starting points of the first World War was powerful and educational. The writers of this book have done an incredible job. I am enjoying it, my advanced six year old is enjoying it and my four year old is enjoying the story even if not really holding on to it. She enjoys it as a story.
We have enjoyed reading C.S. Lewis, Master Storyteller as our bedtime story. [ETA as requested more detail from the blog tour anchor team.] As I've already mentioned, the biography itself was delightful. However, I'd like to also note that the study guide is great as well. It is filled with a plethora of information that could take this one small biography and lead toward a semester or more of study. It is a CD-Rom, which when entered into the computer provides a short trailer video blip for the series. Such as the Christian Heroes: Then & Now which features Christian examples of people in history that have stood up and provided models of a good way to live and grow the faith and fellowship in Christ. Within the CD-Rom there are PDF printables that include maps, as well as discussion points in the actual guide document. In our home, before we read C.S. Lewis Master Storyteller I read through the study guide and made choices of things to point out. Such as the Key Bible Verse (see image above) and then as we read the story and Jack's example exemplified the verse I pointed it out to my girls and we talked about it further as well as underlined the verse in AppleBlossom's personal Bible.
We used the study guide to expand the biography across the curriculum. Mainly it was a character and Bible story, but there was also imprints of geographical lessons as well as vocabulary and more. I appreciated the discussion that we were able to maintain through out our entire use of this program. What I found is that I would definitely like to continue to use YWAM products in our future homeschool especially the biographies. The study guide was good, but not absolutely fabulous as most of it was geared toward a group setting - but in that statement it would make a great resource for a Sunday School or Wednesday Bible study or some such. It is a great product.
This review was originally posted on Creative Madness Mama.
April 8, 2018
This book is about the life of C.S. Lewis: a glimpse into the world of an intensely private person. I have read other biographies of Lewis, and this one brought out some unique angles, including Lewis' extreme generosity and humility, as well as his great literary and professional success. I think the book could have been better written. I found the writing passive and wordy, hard to follow in places, with a tendency to occasionally interrupt the narrative with an aside in brackets that distracted from the current story with irrelevant information. The book was packed with facts about Lewis, but told in a dry, unengaging style, and not always in an order that made sense to me. In some places this book required effort to continue reading; yet in others, the text was interesting. The use of an omniscient narrator detracted from the book, I felt, and most of the story was "told" not "shown," which cannot always be avoided in a biography. However, I have read more engaging books from this series and these authors. For holding the attention of younger readers, this book comes up short, but for educational purposes, it is an acceptable textbook of the events of Lewis' life.
June 2, 2022
An amazing biography about C.S. Lewis. He had such a sad childhood and family background, but it didn't deter him from becoming a Christian and acknowledging that God is good. Such a wonderful testimony, and also very challenging as I ponder his relationships and generosity. Like reading about the fellowship and conflict with JRR Tolkien, and his love and grace towards his "mom" and Joy. I always liked his series "The Chronicles of Narnia," so was curious about his life, intellect, and imaginations. So interesting to read that Joy and him wrote a story together, and how much he grew to love and appreciate her despite her previous marriage to an unfaithful man. Such a contrast between a man who was never in a serious relationship, but also how much they really complemented each other due to their faith and passion for writing.
March 29, 2025
Read this with my family. Though the format is different from other books in this series, it was still such a blessing to read about God's work in C. S. Lewis' life. We love Narnia, so it was especially interesting to find out about how the series started and how it has grown into a worldwide blessing, shining light on children's minds. Through Lewis' writing, God worked wonders in many people's lives and even helped radio programms and newspapers such as the Guardian (which was originally a Christian paper) to grow popular because of Lewis' works they published. Jack's example has inspired and strengthened me in a less radical way than, say, Gladys Aylward, but I've grown to value many things in Lewis' lifestyle that helped him know God's mercies, and reading this book has been quite thought-provoking.
February 21, 2020
A delightful biography of one of my favorite people, C.S. "Jack" Lewis. Lewis' fiction is enjoyable and wondrous while his nonfiction is captivating and heartening. From his Christian apologetics to his coining of "chronological snobbery" to Narnia and The Space Trilogy, Lewis' works give exercise to both the heart and the mind.
Here, in C.S. Lewis: Master Storyteller, we get to see inside the man's life history: what shaped him, how he grew up, and how the inspiration for Tolkien's Treebeard lived. Not all of my terms for and references to Jack are found in the book, but come from other sources. However, this book does a great job of chronicling the life of one of Christianity's greatest apologists and one of Western civilization's best authors.
Here, in C.S. Lewis: Master Storyteller, we get to see inside the man's life history: what shaped him, how he grew up, and how the inspiration for Tolkien's Treebeard lived. Not all of my terms for and references to Jack are found in the book, but come from other sources. However, this book does a great job of chronicling the life of one of Christianity's greatest apologists and one of Western civilization's best authors.
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