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Into the Region of Awe: Mysticism in C. S. Lewis
C. S. Lewis is generally regarded as a commonsense Christian, yet his works display a distinct sense of the mystical. Downing explores the breadth of Lewis writing, introducing us to the context of Christian mysticism in Lewis day and to the writers who most influenced him.
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First published April 21, 2005
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About the author
David C. Downing
19 books63 followersI am a professor of English at Elizabethtown College in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This is on the edge of "Amish country," and I sometimes pass a horse and buggy on my way to and from campus.
I grew up in Colorado, went to college in Santa Barbara, CA, and earned my PhD from UCLA. I currently teach professional and creative writing at Elizabethtown, as well as a first-year seminar on quest narratives.
I first read the Narnia Chronicles as a college sophomore. I was so enthralled, I read all seven books in a month, then re-read them again the next month. I published my first article on C. S. Lewis that same year. I tackled Lord of the Rings in my junior year of college, and I still remember reading all night, the sun coming up just when I discovered that Gandalf had returned. What a glorious dawn that was!
Living less that an hour from Gettysburg, I have become one of many Civil War buffs in this part of the country. I published A South Divided: Portraits of Dissent in the Confederacy in 2007, a study of Southerners who supported the Union during the war.
My wife, Crystal, is a professor of English and film studies at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania. She is the author of Writing Performances: The Stages of Dorothy L. Sayers (2004) and How Postmodernism Serves (My) Faith (2006).
I grew up in Colorado, went to college in Santa Barbara, CA, and earned my PhD from UCLA. I currently teach professional and creative writing at Elizabethtown, as well as a first-year seminar on quest narratives.
I first read the Narnia Chronicles as a college sophomore. I was so enthralled, I read all seven books in a month, then re-read them again the next month. I published my first article on C. S. Lewis that same year. I tackled Lord of the Rings in my junior year of college, and I still remember reading all night, the sun coming up just when I discovered that Gandalf had returned. What a glorious dawn that was!
Living less that an hour from Gettysburg, I have become one of many Civil War buffs in this part of the country. I published A South Divided: Portraits of Dissent in the Confederacy in 2007, a study of Southerners who supported the Union during the war.
My wife, Crystal, is a professor of English and film studies at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania. She is the author of Writing Performances: The Stages of Dorothy L. Sayers (2004) and How Postmodernism Serves (My) Faith (2006).
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 9, 2008
C. S. Lewis, by his own estimation, was not a mystic. The forthright admission of this fact is not enough to stop David C. Downing, professor of English at Elizabethtown College and author of two very useful works on Lewis, Planets in Peril: A Critical Study of C. S. Lewis’s Ransom Trilogy and The Most Reluctant Convert, from writing an entire book on Lewis and mysticism. To accomplish this feat, Downing must maintain the thesis that “Despite this disclaimer, Lewis must certainly be one of the most mystical-minded of those who never formally embarked on the mystical way” (33). Evidence for this claim is found in Lewis’s experiences of “joy” or “sweet desire,” his “vivid sense of the natural order as an image of the spiritual,” his lifelong habit of reading mystical texts, and the motifs and images related to mysticism that occur in his books.
All of these aspects of Lewis’s life and work are worth exploring, and Downing’s exploration of them, along with an explanation of mysticism and its history, is not without profit. But in the process, the concept of mysticism gets stretched to the point that it loses any substantive meaning and becomes almost a synonym for “any form of spirituality or symbolism I happen to like.”
For example, Downing quotes approvingly Evelyn Underhill’s definition of mysticism as “the direct intuition or experience of God” (18). It is a most pertinent definition indeed, for Lewis agreed with it: “a direct experience of God, immediate as a taste or color” (19). Well, if that is our working definition, then most of Into the Region of Awe is simply beside the point. One can certainly read lots of books about God, some by people claiming to be mystics, without ever having or claiming to have had a “direct” or “unmediated” experience of Him—whatever that might be—oneself. One can use lots of symbolic language about God, and find one’s symbolism in Nature, based on the doctrine of Creation, without ever claiming such an experience. And one can have intense experiences of romantic longing for the Infinite without the confusion between longing for the Transcendent and experience of it ever arising. In fact, Lewis quite explicitly interprets his own experiences in Surprised by Joy in ways directly inconsistent with mysticism. They were precisely claimed not to be “direct” experiences of God, or even experiences of God at all, but rather signposts pointing to Him.
Downing’s title is unfortunate. If his material had been presented as a treatment of spirituality in Lewis, it would have value. Read as such, it is not without value, especially in the rather ironic chapter on Lewis’s critique of mysticism. But the problem is not just with false advertising in the title, for throughout the book Downing insists on talking muddle-headedly of mysticism and thereby perpetuating endless confusion of the kind we have delineated above—highly ironic in a book purporting to explain to the world a thinker as clear-minded as Lewis was! He also has an annoying idiosyncratic method of citation—neither in-text nor footnotes—that makes finding out what in Lewis he is quoting an unnecessarily laborious task. It’s too bad. Downing is a better critic than this and ought to have written a better book.
Reviewed by Donald T. Williams
All of these aspects of Lewis’s life and work are worth exploring, and Downing’s exploration of them, along with an explanation of mysticism and its history, is not without profit. But in the process, the concept of mysticism gets stretched to the point that it loses any substantive meaning and becomes almost a synonym for “any form of spirituality or symbolism I happen to like.”
For example, Downing quotes approvingly Evelyn Underhill’s definition of mysticism as “the direct intuition or experience of God” (18). It is a most pertinent definition indeed, for Lewis agreed with it: “a direct experience of God, immediate as a taste or color” (19). Well, if that is our working definition, then most of Into the Region of Awe is simply beside the point. One can certainly read lots of books about God, some by people claiming to be mystics, without ever having or claiming to have had a “direct” or “unmediated” experience of Him—whatever that might be—oneself. One can use lots of symbolic language about God, and find one’s symbolism in Nature, based on the doctrine of Creation, without ever claiming such an experience. And one can have intense experiences of romantic longing for the Infinite without the confusion between longing for the Transcendent and experience of it ever arising. In fact, Lewis quite explicitly interprets his own experiences in Surprised by Joy in ways directly inconsistent with mysticism. They were precisely claimed not to be “direct” experiences of God, or even experiences of God at all, but rather signposts pointing to Him.
Downing’s title is unfortunate. If his material had been presented as a treatment of spirituality in Lewis, it would have value. Read as such, it is not without value, especially in the rather ironic chapter on Lewis’s critique of mysticism. But the problem is not just with false advertising in the title, for throughout the book Downing insists on talking muddle-headedly of mysticism and thereby perpetuating endless confusion of the kind we have delineated above—highly ironic in a book purporting to explain to the world a thinker as clear-minded as Lewis was! He also has an annoying idiosyncratic method of citation—neither in-text nor footnotes—that makes finding out what in Lewis he is quoting an unnecessarily laborious task. It’s too bad. Downing is a better critic than this and ought to have written a better book.
Reviewed by Donald T. Williams
May 18, 2024
The chapters on Narnia and the Ransom Trilogy are worth the cost of the book!
Consistently annoyed with the choice to use unnumbered endnotes for citations…
Consistently annoyed with the choice to use unnumbered endnotes for citations…
October 11, 2011
Great book. I hold C.S. Lewis in such high regard that I've taken to believing that his ideas sprang straight from his massive intellect and fell perfectly polished onto the page for the page. This author dug into the roots of Jack's ideas, actually seeing the passages he underlined and the evolution of his ideas.
Downing's command of the body of Lewis's work is also impressive. He can highlight how major themes come through in his fiction and nonfiction. He can cover centuries of ideas and find relatable pearls of phrasing in what is probably some pretty dry material. Must read.
Downing's command of the body of Lewis's work is also impressive. He can highlight how major themes come through in his fiction and nonfiction. He can cover centuries of ideas and find relatable pearls of phrasing in what is probably some pretty dry material. Must read.
January 21, 2022
I came across this title in one of my readings last year, and since I am a big fan of C.S. Lewis’ books, I thought I’d check it out. In Into the Region of Awe, Downing challenges the modern mantra that mysticism and sound doctrine cannot coexist. What better way to do that than to use C. S. Lewis as an example? After all, he is one of our most famous apologists while also being one of our most well-loved writers of fantasy. Downing makes the case that, while Lewis was firmly grounded in his theology and never called himself a mystic, his work and correspondence are filled with plenty of mystical elements and beliefs.
In my opinion, Downing did a great job defining mysticism and then supporting his thesis using both Lewis’s fictional and non-fictional writings. To remove any mystical element from God is to make Him merely human; and to limit Him to the realm of supernatural experience is to ignore the reality of Jesus and risk falling into the trap of false mysticism (and universalism). Through Lewis’s works, Downing introduces us to Christian mystics whom Lewis admired and the context in which they wrote and served. These are in great contrast to many modern “mystics” who seek “experience” without any notion of sacrifice or service.
This book is academic in nature and much of it reads almost like a textbook, so at times it was difficult for me to get through. But I highly recommend it for anyone seeking to find a balance between solid doctrine which is not swayed by emotion and personal encounters with the Presence of God (which, by their very nature, are mystical experiences). Downing makes a good case for not just the existence of both, but the necessity of both in our relationship with Christ.
In my opinion, Downing did a great job defining mysticism and then supporting his thesis using both Lewis’s fictional and non-fictional writings. To remove any mystical element from God is to make Him merely human; and to limit Him to the realm of supernatural experience is to ignore the reality of Jesus and risk falling into the trap of false mysticism (and universalism). Through Lewis’s works, Downing introduces us to Christian mystics whom Lewis admired and the context in which they wrote and served. These are in great contrast to many modern “mystics” who seek “experience” without any notion of sacrifice or service.
This book is academic in nature and much of it reads almost like a textbook, so at times it was difficult for me to get through. But I highly recommend it for anyone seeking to find a balance between solid doctrine which is not swayed by emotion and personal encounters with the Presence of God (which, by their very nature, are mystical experiences). Downing makes a good case for not just the existence of both, but the necessity of both in our relationship with Christ.
April 2, 2022
This is an excellent book I didn’t even know I wanted until it landed on my desk as a hand-me-down. It was a challenging read. Mysticism is by nature hard to explain. In order to help us understand, Downing first helps define mysticism as a “direct experience of God, immediate as a taste or color.” This definition seems pretty straightforward until you try to put into words what your dinner tastes like or the color yellow. So, of course, stories are a good way to express something that avoids direct description. I’m sure you have had experiences like this where words totally fail to convey the experience you had. Downing reviews Lewis’ life and those mystics who affected Lewis’ experiences and development. Next, Downing discusses mysticism as Lewis wrote about it. He devotes a chapter to the mystical elements in the space trilogy and another chapter to The Chronicles of Narnia. I enjoyed this new perspective on Lewis’s work. I have read many of Lewis’s books and enjoy them. This was a good way to revisit those works through a new lease. Lewis’s view of God and heaven and the supernatural elements inspire most of the ways I think about these things because they ring true with my experiences. Thank you, Peggy, for keeping me in mind when you came across this book.
This book is for anyone seeking to better understand their own mystic experiences.
(Rated G, Score 9/10, Hardback, 207 pages, audiobook read by Simon Vance, 6:15)
This book is for anyone seeking to better understand their own mystic experiences.
(Rated G, Score 9/10, Hardback, 207 pages, audiobook read by Simon Vance, 6:15)
May 14, 2023
A wonderful introduction to not only Lewis's interest in Christian mysticism but to mysticism in general. I have always wondered why many Christians are made nervous by anything called "mysticism," since we believe in an invisible God who is active in our lives while also promising intimacy. For those worried about mysticism, this serves as a wonderful defense that, properly understood, mysticism is a rich and fruitful topic for Christians. I think many of people's favorite passages are mystical in nature, especially in the Narnia and Space Trilogy books.
May 20, 2023
This book by scholar David C. Downing was fascinating! Downing delves into the influence Christian mystics such as Julian of Norwich, Brother Lawrence, and George MacDonald had on C. S. Lewis. Though Lewis never claimed to be a mystic himself, he wrote very poignantly about the mystical sehnsucht joy that led him from atheism, theism, to Christianity. This great yearning for Lewis, was roused by the beauty of landscape, the power of myth, and the power of art.
The best chapter in the book is "Mystical Elements in the Narnia Chronicles."
The best chapter in the book is "Mystical Elements in the Narnia Chronicles."
January 22, 2019
As the "official review" says, this book explores CS Lewis's thoughts and references to mysticism. It helps to be a little familiar with his writings - Chronicles of Narnia, the Space Trilogy, etc.
The author, Downing, does an admirable job in keeping the narrative interesting and compelling. It could easily have detoured into esoteric summary with little connect to our lives.
I recommend it.
The author, Downing, does an admirable job in keeping the narrative interesting and compelling. It could easily have detoured into esoteric summary with little connect to our lives.
I recommend it.
January 26, 2024
A great survey of Lewis' influences from his life, the literature he read and the life experience he had. Although he did not consider himself a mystic, he had great admiration for tbe mystics of Western Christian tradition. A very interesting look into the views of one of the 20th century's greatest apologists.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2020
Must read for Lewis followers. Good insights into Christian and other religious mysticism. I learned a lot about my own tradition. To fully appreciate this book you need a knowledge of Lewis' writings. I'm a fan of Lewis and enjoyed it a lot.
August 29, 2022
Superb. Loved it. Inspired my own thinking about the mystical possibilities for the everyday man.
August 3, 2024
Loved this book!
October 11, 2023
love this
April 6, 2016
I came across this book in the manner that apparently "random" occurrences happen synchronistically--somehow in doing an internet search on spiritual issues, in particular mysticism, I began to come across citations of CSLewis as a leader in spiritual thought during his lifetime. I have only known him as the author of the The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the book from which the movies about Narnia are derived, which are near and dear to my heart. I was drawn to this book by its title: 'In the Region of Awe': as a writer myself exploring mysticism, it was the perfect trap, in the most positive sense.
The book is an interesting blend of biography; summaries of the major books on spirituality, mysticism and Christian thought that influenced Lewis's thinking and beliefs; and explorations of the major themes in Lewis's writings and how they might have related to Lewis's own life journey--how his beliefs influenced and compelled his writing.
Born a Protestant, Lewis went threw consecutive phases of atheism, occultism, and then broke threw by a transformational spiritual experience to the acceptance and life-long commitment to Catholicism and Christianity. Through the process of his spiritual evolution, he read extensively in the areas of mysticism of the early Catholic Church. I found the summaries of these writings fascinating: Julian of Norwich, Augustine, Bernard of Clairvaux, and many more, whose literature I would be unlikely to read myself, but enjoyed the encapsulation of each within a historical context, the factual pieces of history with which I am fascinated.
He came to a philosophy of life, and a clarity of vision with regard to his own spirituality. He was recognized during his lifetime as a voice of reason and practicality, accepting in a dispassionate and pragmatic manner the possibility of transcendental, mystical experiences that can occur in life. He advised in his writings not to misinterpret their occurrence, but rather, allow them to lead to a deeper exploration and reflection into an understanding of theology and the faith of spirituality, and Christianity, in particular. In general, he had an unexpectedly fascinating life which I feel I should not be so surprised about, given the profoundness and understanding of the major archetypal spiritual and life themes that are explored in the world of Narnia.
This book itself is short, but incredibly dense with content. It deserves a studied reading. It is not, however, difficult to read--although the topics discussed are obscure to most readers, they are handled in a rich and well edited manner that may reflect Mr Downing other favorite topic on which he has written: spelling! What an interesting combinations of interests: the writings and life of CS Lewis and the mastery of grammar and spelling!
In summary, I loved this book, but it does require a fascination and interest in the topic of spirituality and mysticism. Well written and edited; enjoyable, interesting topics that are covered thoroughly in a brief but informative manner, this book will lead to my own further explorations on the life of CSLewis, and a deeper reading and contemplation of his novels.
Let me know what you think!
The book is an interesting blend of biography; summaries of the major books on spirituality, mysticism and Christian thought that influenced Lewis's thinking and beliefs; and explorations of the major themes in Lewis's writings and how they might have related to Lewis's own life journey--how his beliefs influenced and compelled his writing.
Born a Protestant, Lewis went threw consecutive phases of atheism, occultism, and then broke threw by a transformational spiritual experience to the acceptance and life-long commitment to Catholicism and Christianity. Through the process of his spiritual evolution, he read extensively in the areas of mysticism of the early Catholic Church. I found the summaries of these writings fascinating: Julian of Norwich, Augustine, Bernard of Clairvaux, and many more, whose literature I would be unlikely to read myself, but enjoyed the encapsulation of each within a historical context, the factual pieces of history with which I am fascinated.
He came to a philosophy of life, and a clarity of vision with regard to his own spirituality. He was recognized during his lifetime as a voice of reason and practicality, accepting in a dispassionate and pragmatic manner the possibility of transcendental, mystical experiences that can occur in life. He advised in his writings not to misinterpret their occurrence, but rather, allow them to lead to a deeper exploration and reflection into an understanding of theology and the faith of spirituality, and Christianity, in particular. In general, he had an unexpectedly fascinating life which I feel I should not be so surprised about, given the profoundness and understanding of the major archetypal spiritual and life themes that are explored in the world of Narnia.
This book itself is short, but incredibly dense with content. It deserves a studied reading. It is not, however, difficult to read--although the topics discussed are obscure to most readers, they are handled in a rich and well edited manner that may reflect Mr Downing other favorite topic on which he has written: spelling! What an interesting combinations of interests: the writings and life of CS Lewis and the mastery of grammar and spelling!
In summary, I loved this book, but it does require a fascination and interest in the topic of spirituality and mysticism. Well written and edited; enjoyable, interesting topics that are covered thoroughly in a brief but informative manner, this book will lead to my own further explorations on the life of CSLewis, and a deeper reading and contemplation of his novels.
Let me know what you think!
February 19, 2024
On the second reading: What I noticed this time was the great detail the author put into explaining the theology in the Space Trilogy and the Narnia series. I remembered more of this book than I thought I would. Or maybe it was because sometimes I listen and fall asleep and maybe in my sleep state I was "listening."
In reading books on spiritual formation, I came across many that were labeled mysticism. I did not enjoy, understand or appreciate most of what I read. When I saw this book in downloadable form from the public library, I was intrigued. CS Lewis' writing has keenly influenced my faith. I finished the book in record time. There was so much to ponder that I find writing about the book difficult yet necessary.
I found that just as I have had to clarify my definition of spiritual formation to "Christian spiritual formation" I appreciated the author narrowing his discussion of mysticism to the "Christian realm."
Downing has a vast understanding of Lewis' work, and that itself gives him some credibility. He methodically and convincingly (I think) demonstrates strands of mysticism in Lewis' writings. I particularly enjoyed reminders of Lewis books I've not read in years.
I would never even slightly consider myself a Christian mystic (nor would anyone else who knows me) yet something in me resonates when I read these words of Lewis (quoted on p.46),"All the things that have ever deeply possessed your soul have been just hints of it-tantalizing glimpses, promises never quite fulfilled, echoes that died away just as they caught your ear."
Then Downing clarifies ME in this discussion by quoting mysticism scholar W.T.Stace. Stace "distinguishes between 'introverted mysticism,' based on meditation or contemplation, and 'extroverted mysticism,' an ecstatic response to visible emblems found in nature." I am the latter!
I probably will not read much more by Christian mystics or about mysticism, but I am very glad I read this book.
In reading books on spiritual formation, I came across many that were labeled mysticism. I did not enjoy, understand or appreciate most of what I read. When I saw this book in downloadable form from the public library, I was intrigued. CS Lewis' writing has keenly influenced my faith. I finished the book in record time. There was so much to ponder that I find writing about the book difficult yet necessary.
I found that just as I have had to clarify my definition of spiritual formation to "Christian spiritual formation" I appreciated the author narrowing his discussion of mysticism to the "Christian realm."
Downing has a vast understanding of Lewis' work, and that itself gives him some credibility. He methodically and convincingly (I think) demonstrates strands of mysticism in Lewis' writings. I particularly enjoyed reminders of Lewis books I've not read in years.
I would never even slightly consider myself a Christian mystic (nor would anyone else who knows me) yet something in me resonates when I read these words of Lewis (quoted on p.46),"All the things that have ever deeply possessed your soul have been just hints of it-tantalizing glimpses, promises never quite fulfilled, echoes that died away just as they caught your ear."
Then Downing clarifies ME in this discussion by quoting mysticism scholar W.T.Stace. Stace "distinguishes between 'introverted mysticism,' based on meditation or contemplation, and 'extroverted mysticism,' an ecstatic response to visible emblems found in nature." I am the latter!
I probably will not read much more by Christian mystics or about mysticism, but I am very glad I read this book.
October 16, 2011
"If you read history you will find that Christians who did the most for the present world are just those who thought the most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world, that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you will get neither." CS Lewis
This work was a welcome change and is heavier reading than I have been reading of late. It is a critical analysis the Christian writer C. S. Lewis and the ‘mysticism’ aspect of his beliefs. The author very convincingly contends that Lewis did not conceive of himself as a mystic or an occultist; but nevertheless it influenced both him and his writing. This book is insightful, informative, and interesting. Bravo.
This work was a welcome change and is heavier reading than I have been reading of late. It is a critical analysis the Christian writer C. S. Lewis and the ‘mysticism’ aspect of his beliefs. The author very convincingly contends that Lewis did not conceive of himself as a mystic or an occultist; but nevertheless it influenced both him and his writing. This book is insightful, informative, and interesting. Bravo.
September 10, 2016
unfortunately, this one bored me. the author had some interesting points, but i think the book should have been a lot shorter. and he seemed to repeat himself a lot.
also, i was distracted by all of the "lewis's" thoughout the book. i think, technically, that's acceptable, but "lewis' " looks and sounds much less awkward.
also, i was distracted by all of the "lewis's" thoughout the book. i think, technically, that's acceptable, but "lewis' " looks and sounds much less awkward.
January 14, 2014
Excellent and balanced book on Lewis and mysticism. First listened to it on Audible. Enjoyed it so much that I bought a hard copy version. That said, I highly regard Don Williams views and Lewis expertise, and since his review is posted directly below mine, I'm considering a second reading of this book just to see if I agree with Williams.
May 9, 2009
Awesome book! A glimpse into C S Lewis' own views on mysticism and what books he was influenced by.
December 18, 2013
Book is not only about the mysticism of Lewis but about the subject in general which gives the view of Lewis a context. Well written.
July 25, 2012
The best secondary source I have read about C.S. Lewis. Absolutely inspiring and instructive!
October 13, 2012
C.S. Lewis' "mysticism" demands more attention. Downing begins the conversation. I wish that this book had received more attention. A topic for an Emerging Scholars Network Blog post?
October 16, 2013
so glad to have read this. It was actually very healing in it's way and a great call to what being a Christian really is, whether it is mystical for you or not.
July 19, 2013
Have read biographies of Lewis as well as many of his books. This brings both together nicely and gives much food for thought.
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January 14, 2015I liked this so much I will get a copy for my personal library.
(Yes our little town library I L L provided the copy for me to read. Thank God for libraries!)
(Yes our little town library I L L provided the copy for me to read. Thank God for libraries!)
March 15, 2015
Particularly enjoyed the insights into Lewis's Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra.
April 25, 2015
This was slightly disappointing.
April 12, 2020
I liked this even more than the first time I read it. The author not only gave many examples of how Lewis viewed mysticism, but also an overview of the subject of mysticism itself.
February 2, 2016
Really beautiful. Largely based on the mysticism of C. S. Lewis who was greatly inspired and whose works are on my list to read next.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews