The Romantic Rationalist: God, Life, and Imagination in the Work of C. S. Lewis

by Randy Alcorn (contributor), Philip Graham Ryken (Contributor), Kevin J. Vanhoozer (Contributor)

“We are far too easily pleased.”

C. S. Lewis stands as one of the most influential Christians of the twentieth century. His commitment to the life of the mind and the life of the heart is evident in classics like the Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity—books that illustrate the unbreakable connection between rigorous thought and deep affection.

With contributions from Randy Alcorn, John Piper, Philip Ryken, Kevin Vanhoozer, David Mathis, and Douglas Wilson, this volume explores the man, his work, and his legacy—reveling in the truth at the heart of Lewis’s spiritual God alone is the answer to our deepest longings and the source of our unending joy.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Theology, Religion, Christianity, Nonfiction, History

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2014

About the author

Randy Alcorn is the founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching biblical truth and drawing attention to the needy and how to help them. EPM exists to meet the needs of the unreached, unfed, unborn, uneducated, unreconciled and unsupported people around the world.

"My ministry focus is communicating the strategic importance of using our earthly time, money, possessions and opportunities to invest in need-meeting ministries that count for eternity," Alcorn says. "I do that by trying to analyze, teach and apply the implications of Christian truth."

Before starting EPM in 1990, Alcorn co-pastored for thirteen years Good Shepherd Community Church outside Gresham, Oregon. He has ministered in many countries, including China, and is a popular teacher and conference speaker. Randy has taught on the part-time faculties of Western Seminary and Multnomah University, both in Portland, Oregon.

Randy is a best-selling author of 50 books including Heaven, The Treasure Principle and the 2002 Gold Medallion winner, Safely Home. He has written numerous articles for magazines such as Discipleship Journal, Moody, Leadership, New Man, and The Christian Reader. He produces the quarterly issues-oriented magazine Eternal Perspectives, and has been a guest on more than 650 radio and television programs including Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, The Bible Answer Man, Revive Our Hearts, Truths that Transform and Faith Under Fire.

Alcorn resides in Gresham, Oregon with his wife, Nanci. The Alcorns have two married daughters, Karina and Angela.

Randy and Nanci are the proud grandparents of five grandsons. Randy enjoys hanging out with his family, biking, tennis, research and reading.

Taken from the Eternal Perspective Ministries website, http://www.epm.org

Reviews

[Brother Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are two important things to note before you read this book. One, if you are looking for a book about C.S. Lewis' life, this is not the book. Most of the chapters have the author using Lewis as a conversation partner about different topics like biblical inerrancy, Calvinism, heaven and hell, etc. If you're looking for that, this is the book for you. Second, this doesn't read like a book. This is a collection of talks turned into written form by the various authors. The chapters are topical, independent and will often repeat itself across the book (since they are independent talks). Judge this book keeping those things in mind.

For me, I enjoyed three chapters a lot. Chapter 1 (John Piper) talks about how Lewis combined a sharp reasoning mind with a poetic imagination in his approach to understand and enjoy God. Chapter 2 (Philip Ryken) was about Lewis' unorthodox views about the inerrancy of Scripture (things I myself am working through). Chapter 4 (Kevin Vanhoozer) shows the importance of imagination, metaphor and illustration in faith and discipleship.

[Linn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um livro maravilhoso! Indico para todo leitor de C.S. Lewis que deseja reafirmar sua indispensabilidade, apesar de seus erros teológicos. Os escritores, que são leitores e admiradores de Lewis, dissertam de forma apaixonada sobre o pensamento e imaginação extraordinários do autor, sem deixar de destacar sua importância para todo cristão.

[Caleb Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good stuff. Particularly liked Alcorn’s and Wilson’s chapters on why we need Lewis. He differs with mainline Protestantism in some ways, but for good reasons that still teach us truth. Appendix 2 is also really interesting (Q & A with authors).

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting title for a book. An interesting juxtaposition of terms to describe a person. Yet I can think of no better description to fit the persona of C.S. Lewis. Sure, he was many other things--a Christ-follower, an author, a professor, a friend--but all of those titles can be summed up in the way he approached life, in general. And that was as both a romantic and a rationalist.

This compendium of sorts contains essays centered around ideas that C.S. Lewis espoused. Or, rather, his thoughts on those ideas. Not a history book, not an biography, but rather more a theological examination of the air that surrounds the words of Lewis.

The writings of C.S. Lewis had an integral impact on my mind and the process of coming to belief in God. Opening "Surprised by Joy" was like reading my life. Pouring over "Mere Christianity" was like coming home. It would be fair to say that I would like to read pretty much anything that Lewis has written. In fact, in The Romantic Rationalist, John Piper alludes to a collection of Lewis' essays that I'd never heard of before. Yes, I put it into my Amazon Wish List. Yes, it is out-of-print and is selling, used for $263.15. Yes, I contemplated selling platelets to get it.

So, I guess you could say that I kind of respect the guy.

Even with that enormous respect, though, there are a handful of times that I've read Lewis and thought "Hmmm. I wonder why he says that?". The Romantic Rationalist helped me to sort out some of those instances. For example, Lewis' views on the inspiration and authority of Scripture. This is a topic I've given much thought to. And, if one thinks about it too much, it can become down-right baffling. So I have to guard my mind against dwelling there for too long, because I can become spun up on it fairly quickly. Meaning, I can give sway to doubts. Too often, too quickly, too easily. I have to fight doubt, consistently. And, this is one area that fighting doubt plays a strong role, at least, in my mind.

Most evangelicals shy away from Lewis when it comes to discussing this topic. I'll invite you to read the book to find out why. But I appreciate the authors of The Romantic Rationalist diving neck-deep into this and other areas where questions arise in regards to the theology of C.S. Lewis. Theology is important. Extremely so. And, it bothers me to not get it "right". I want to practice sound theology. I want to adhere to solid doctrine. I want to participate in correct disciplines. But, I am not always going to get it "right". Neither, necessarily, did C.S. Lewis, one of the most revered "thinkers" of our time.

There is some comfort in that. For one, it reminds me that Lewis, like all men, are just that--men. Fallible creatures. I need not put him on a pedestal, any more than I should put any person on a pedestal. Only God holds that status. And, while the writings of C.S. Lewis are and always will be of extreme importance to me, the writings of Scripture can never be replaced. No commentary, no essay, no brilliant work should ever overshadow God's word. And, all things must be checked through scripture. Show me scripture.

Secondly, there is hope for me. I am not going to get everything right, but I can't stop striving to learn. But we all must continually ask the questions that need to be asked. We must continually present our thoughts before God and shine the light of truth upon them so that we can make adjustments where needed. I think that is what C.S. Lewis strove to do; and, in doing so, we are privy to his honest thoughts, struggles, and wrestlings. He has given us a front row seat, through his writings, and we are richer for it.

The Romantic Rationalist is not solely about issues of questions that arise in regards to Lewis' theology--not by a long shot. But, those sections that dealt with that were what stood out the most to me. Why, I think an entire book could be written on each of the chapters presented in this volume. There is even a chapter on food. Well-played.

This is a book that I think I will turn to repeatedly. An excellent book to have in one's library--it opens up the discussion on key ideas and provides much fodder for further exploration and thinking.

*I received a review copy of this book from Crossway Publishers.
*Be sure to read the interview panel discourse at the end of the book, located in Appendix 2.

[Phil Cotnoir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was better than I expected. Really excellent contributions from each participant. I love hearing how Lewis has blessed and shaped Christian leaders who are as widely varying in temperament and calling as Piper, Wilson, Vanhoozer, and Alcorn.

Deepened my conviction that anything Lewis wrote is worth reading.

[Bobby Bonser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great book that gives insight in C.S. Lewis, explains what he believed and taught (without skirting away from the hard, unclear or incorrect doctrines/beliefs he held). The analysis and contribute if multiple authors kept the book interesting as each chapter took a unique voice.

Randy Alcorns chapter on new heaven and earth was incredible. I will be revisiting this one anytime I want to look for condensed verses and explanations of the new earth and heavens and why we should be overjoyed at the coming state.

"The bucket-list mentality reveals an impoverished view of re- demption. Even Christians end up thinking, If I can't live my dreams now, I never will. Or, You only go around once. But if you know Jesus, you go around twice-and the second time lasts forever. It's called "eternal life," and it will be lived in a redeemed universe with King Jesus." - Alcorn

Piper does a great job of rejecting asceticism and defending why and how we can eat and drink and do all things for God's glory. These are rooted in CS Lewis's books which highlight the goodness of God's creation and more important in God's Word.

[Felicity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some fascinating perspectives on Lewis and his theology, storytelling, and imagination. A bit of a read-a-chapter then put-down-for-a-month, but I think it will be a book I come back to often, when I have those little moments of “what did Lewis have to say about the New Heaven and New Earth again?” Or “is Lewis’s salvation of Emeth at the end of the Last Battle a serious dealbreaker?” Worth having on the bookshelf if you’re any kind of Lewis fan!

[Heather Masten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the authors addressing the problems in some of Lewis’ thinking. They acknowledged he was not a theologian, but stood behind and were encouraged in a lot of what he said.

[Leonardo Bruno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nem todos os capítulos são igualmente bons. Não que haja algum ruim, mas simplesmente que uns são menos excelentes que outros (sim, eu ando muito exigente ultimamente, especialmente em se tratando de Lewis). Tudo isso para dizer que, tomada em seu conjunto, a obra é excelente, e com justiça compõe, junto com “As coisas da terra” (Joe Rigney) e o incrível “Notas da Xícara Maluca” (N. D. Wilson) o kit Teologia do deslumbramento. Destaque para os capítulos do Douglas Wilson e do Kevin Vanhoozer, para mim os melhores. A conversa com os colaboradores (apêndice 2) também é muitíssimo interessante.

[Allenylson Ferreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este é um livro em que nos deleitamos a cada página, a cada ensaio. John Piper, Kevin Vanhoozer, Philip Ryken, Douglas Wilson e Rand Alcorn [com introdução de David Mathis] abordam temas específicos e escrevem magistralmente sobre a relação de Lewis com cada tema abordado. Piper, no último ensaio do livro, explica como o alimento é um ato de adorar a Deus e faz isso com a ajuda de Lewis. Ele diz que o comer não é um fim em si mesmo, mas muitos assim veem erroneamente. Os alimentos não são adoração, podem transformar-se em adoração. É o meio pelo qual adoramos e glorificamos a Deus, pois "eles nos ensinam a saborear a doçura de Deus na doçura do mel e a lhe dar graças". Confesso que fiquei bastante emocionado ao ler este ensaio. E é Piper que escreve o ensaio que dá nome ao livro. Um primor! C. S. Lewis era romântico pois sentia o anseio por algo que não é desta terra, e racionalista porque usava a razão como lógica, pois ela não é condição humana criada de modo diferente de cultura para cultura. "Elas estão enraizadas em como Deus é".

Já Vanhoozer escreve sobre a importância do discipulado e exemplifica, por meio de excertos das obras do Lewis, esta questão. Usando a imaginação, ele nos alerta do perigo de estar dormindo e não estarmos enxergando que vivemos em "sombras brilhantes". Uma frase que me impactou bastante neste ensaio foi que "Andamos sonâmbulos pela vida - dormindo ao volante da existência - apenas em parte conscientes do que é eterno, das coisas realmente sólidas e que comportam o peso de glória". Para fazermos teologia e praticar o discipulado, a imaginação é um fator determinante para a compreensão. Teologia desassociada da imaginação é algo preto no branco, quase sem vida. E Lewis, mesmo sendo um teólogo leigo, nos mostra como fazermos isto com boa imaginação e como ser influenciados e ter a imaginação "batizada" ao ler autores que criam histórias fictícias, mas que se aproximam do que é verdadeiro pela imaginação.

Ryken trata sobre a posição não ortodoxa de Lewis em relação à inerrância e inspiração das Escrituras. É o ensaio mais delicado, pois muitos dos críticos de C. S. Lewis poderiam usar uma parte isolada e atacá-lo, atitude que o autor não deixa transparecer e nem o faz. Mesmo aqueles que admiramos podem ser falhos em algum aspecto, mas nem por isso o deixamos de admirar menos. Só deixando claro que a sua posição, que o próprio Lewis dizia que não era a mais correta e estava aberto para aprender mais sobre este assunto, era de foro íntimo. Ele nunca fez dessa sua crença pessoal algo doutrinário e não escreveu sobre em suas obras. É bom deixar claro que Lewis defendia as Escrituras dos ataques liberais, mesmo não compreendendo como Jó ou Jonas poderia ser divinamente inspirado, sendo que nada sabemos sobre o contexto histórico de ambos. Repito: Lewis nunca foi um cristão liberal. Ryken diz: "Ainda que se possa criticá-lo de várias maneiras pela incapacidade de afirmar a doutrina plenamente bíblica da Escritura, é justo declarar que ele passou a maior parte do seu tempo na defesa da Bíblia que criticando-a - se é que ele fez".

Wilson aborda sobre como Lewis pensava a respeito do dom da salvação. O nome do ensaio é bem sugestivo; "Deixando de ser dragão". Aqui, Wilson defende que Lewis tinha simpatia à doutrina reformada da salvação. Ficou curioso? E Alcorn escreveu sobre novos céus e nova terra na perspectiva de Lewis. É outro ensaio que me encantou muitíssimo. Cheguei a sentir tanta alegria com a imagem de uma nova terra, e com os argumentos que Alcorn apresentou [com a ajuda das imagens que Lewis escreveu em A última batalha], que tive que compartilhar com meus amigos sobre esta escatológica e deliciosa leitura.

O apêndice um trata sobre o que Lewis pensava sobre a doutrina do inferno e no apêndice dois é a transcrição de um bate-papo delicioso entre os autores dos ensaios.

Se você ama C. S. Lewis, se algum livro o fez encarar este mundo com um novo encantamento, se Lewis exerce sobre você tamanha influência, então indico este livro sem pestanejar. É o melhor que já li sobre o nosso velho e amado Jack.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learning About Lewis

This was an exceptional book on the life of CS Lewis

Quite possibly the best book that I've read of this type detailing his life

I really got a lot out of this book and found his interpretations of the Bible and Christianity very interesting

It also delves a lot into the themes of his own books that he has written and what they meant for him during his time of self-discovery

The best book I can recommend to learn more about CS Lewis

4.6/5

[Bird Barnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audio, I thought this was more a biography. It was not. I like what I’ve read of C. S. Lewis. Mainly nonfiction. It’s a gentler Christianity. This book was made for Christians who believe they know exactly what God actually means and have harder definitions of what is right when it comes to theology.

The first part is a critique of what he gets wrong and right and it was interesting but then it turns into being more of a sermon.

The audience for this is probably evangelicals, Protestants, Calvinists, and people who 100% believe in God and heaven, definitely not agnostics/atheists.

[Amy Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was excellent, a transcription by the authors of each one of their talks at a Desiring God conference in 2013. I found it as a free borrow on hoopla, and the only reason I rate it four instead of five stars, is that sometimes it is a bit uneven in quality because of the many authors contributing; but it was better than I expected, because in general, it was addressing from a reformed perspective how fundamentalist Calvinist Christians can understand or rationalize our appreciation of Lewis in spite of his theological errors or inconsistencies.

[Felipe Sabino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muito bom. Não, excelente!

[Michael Collings]

Randy Alcorn’s chapter, “CS Lewis on heaven and the new Earth” is worth the price of this book.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful read and enriched my enjoyment of Lewis and all he loved: Christ, Scripture, creation, beauty, etc.

[Seth Woodley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is extremely interesting for anyone familiar with Lewis, interested in theology, and who missed the Desiring God National Conference in 2013. The chapters by Ryken and Alcorn are extraordinary. Honestly, the two chapters by Piper are the least interesting. This is a wonderful collection of some of the best quotes by Lewis if nothing else.

It would be better to be familiar with Lewis' writings and with some basic theology before attempting this book. Prior knowledge of these is assumed throughout.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a pitifully small amount of CS Lewis's work so far, but what I have read has had a disproportionally large influence on my life so far. He has a knack of explaining truths that you have believed instinctively but struggled to defend intellectually. This book has been a real refresher course in Lewis for me, and I'm certainly going to read more again soon. I particularly enjoyed the clear coupling (in this book and Lewis's own) of heavenly things and earthly things, and the appreciation of literature and encouragement to metaphorical thinking.

[Matthew Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressive, well-rounded, and highly engaging, this collection offers a number of angles in approaching Lewis, all of them rooted in his faith and his imagination. I particularly recommend Doug Wilson's (shock, right?) and Randy Alcorn's essays. I underlined them both to death.

[Benjamin Gietzen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read Lewis instead

[Mwansa · Rating 5 out of 5]

C S Lewis is without a doubt in my top five authors of all time, I just love his work. He opened up a new world for me in Narnia that I, like a lot of the contributors to this book spent a lot of time and grew up in. He showed me a world beyond and a way of writing that had layers upon layers upon layers. Because of that this book was a very good read for me because it showed me that people I have a profound level of respect for feel the same way.

This book provides a defence and proper insight into the views of C S on a number of key issues. He was a profound thinker who viewed things with a simplicity and yet a complexity that would make the greatest among us blush while bringing excitement to the least of us. I especially loved his view on the afterlife (heaven and hell). I guess the byline of the book is the best and most apt description I can give it. We are far too easily pleased

[Donn Headley · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Piper, Philip Ryken, Douglas Wilson, Kevin Vanhoozer, and Randy Alcorn come together in conference to discuss the theology of C.S. Lewis. Having read almost everything that C.S. Lewis wrote, I welcome this compendium of essays as an excellent introduction to the Christianity of one of the great writers in the Western world and perhaps the greatest apologist in English literature in the twentieth century. Piper points out that Lewis was a romantic in that he articulated the longing that is common to the human condition and which points all of us to God. Lewis was also a rationalist in that he set his intellectual compass to the dictates and demands of absolute Reason, in that it is the lifelong task of every believer to conform himself to the true Reality. His romanticism and rationalism were parallel paths to the same destination: Jesus Christ as the Living Word, the Savior of the World.

[Joseph Brink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading a lot of Lewis lately; trying to work my way through all his books in the next year or two. I've also been listening to a ton of John Piper lately (and rereading "Don't Waste Your Life").

So when I saw Hoopla had an audiobook about Lewis, by Piper, it was a no-brainer. And surprise! It wasn't just Piper, who'd written chapters in this book! There also were chapters by other authors I admire: Randy Alcorn, David Matthis, Douglas Wilson, Philip Ryken, etc.

This was a super helpful overview of the main message's of Lewis's life, from a reformed perspective. It helpfully tackled some of his more controversial beliefs as well as help explain some of his more confusing bits. Overall I think what I learned from this book will be a great guide going forward as I continue to read more Lewis! Already it has proven to be very helpful to me!

I'd recommend this to anyone who's read some Lewis and hopes to read some more!

[Trey Kennedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Congratulations to Piper and Mathis for succeeding in tricking me into listening to a treatise for Calvinist Evangelicalism. While C.S. Lewis, the supposed subject of this book, comes up on occasion, the focus is much more on the infallibility and truth of Scripture, so it really fails to accomplish what it proposes to do.

This book does not even really capture Lewis and his work in any depth or detail. Lewis and his work only pop in through bits and pieces. Unsurprisingly, the focus is much more on Lewis’ work in connection with the eschaton, the Second Coming. Surprisingly these are also the bits that are most helpful and well crafted.

If you’re looking for Calvinist propaganda, this is the book for you. If your desire is to learn anything more about C.S. Lewis, you are better off finding any other book out there written about him.

[Carol Bakker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a transcription of a talks delivered at the 2013 Desiring God conference. I found this on a "bonus borrow" through Hoopla. It was a great companion as I shoveled through a March blizzard.

The final chapter, What God Made Is Good and Must Be Sanctified is what snagged my attention. In it, Piper teaches from I Timothy 4 that asceticim is not God's ideal for us. That Satan can bring about rebellion in us not only through excesses like gluttony but also through abstinence. That food and sex were created to be received with thanksgiving.

This talk put Letters to Malcolm, Chiefly on Prayer near the top of my TBR list.

[Matthew Bloomquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little repetitive due to the multiple authors but some really good chapters in here. Lewis on the imagination is incredible. This world is a metaphor, a mask, a symbol and a sign pointing to the world above it is not ultimate reality. Supernaturalists, not naturalists truly see nature.

I also just love the title and theme of Romantic Rationalism. In Christ, the joy, longing, and desire of romanticism in its truest sense and the truest form of rationalism meet. In Christ we find the fulfillment of all our longings and the grounds of all our reasoning.

[Elijah Abanto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very engaging and well-rounded, helping me understand Lewis and his faith and theology better. This book shows his strengths and expounds on them, and looks honestly on his weaknesses with understanding. It certainly not throwing a good 'book' away just because of some bad in it. Lewis's writings are full of good--I myself saw that--so I just have to be careful to avoid the wrongs and take up the rights which are numerous.
Thank you, Desiring God for this free e-book!

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly good. These essays are essentially transcripts from talks given at a conference, so some things that would come across better in spoken word are lost on the written page. Still, if you are anywhere near a fan of C.S. Lewis, there is much to glean here in this book. Don’t look for biographical content, this is more focused on understanding and applying Lewis’ written works to our theological and practical lives.

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost text-book like, very insightful, some really well thought out explanations of Lewis as a person, theologan and writer. Would highly reccomend to anyone who enjoys his theology more than anything else about him, not as much to anyone who just likes his allegory in his ficiton.

[Joseph Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid introduction to Lewis’s thought by some trustworthy voices. Love getting to examine in deeper detail the theology, life, and imagination of one of the greatest writers and thinkers of the last century! Excellent.