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The Christian in the World
This volume of short essays and other pieces by C. S.Lewis is part of a larger collection, C. S. Lewis: Essay Collection and Other Short Pieces. In addition to his many books, letters, and poems, C. S. Lewis wrote a great number of essays and shorter pieces on various subjects. He wrote extensively on Christian theology and the defense of faith, but also on ethical issues and the nature of literature and storytelling. Within these pages is a treasure trove of Lewis' reflections on diverse topics.
This volume includes
1. "Why I Am Not a Pacifist"
2. "Dangers of National Repentance"
3. "Two Ways with the Self"
4. "Meditation on the Third Commandment"
5. "On Ethics"
6. "Three Kinds of Men"
7. "Answers to Questions on Christianity"
8. "The Laws of Nature"
9. "Membership"
10. "The Sermon and the Lunch"
11. "Scraps"
12. "After Priggery - What?"
13. "Man or Rabbit?"
14. "The Trouble with ‘X' ..."
15. "On Living in an Atomic Age"
16. "Lilies That Fester"
17. "Good Work and Good Works"
18. "A Slip of the Tongue"
19. "We Have No "Right to Happiness"
©2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.; 1980 C. S. Lewis
This volume includes
1. "Why I Am Not a Pacifist"
2. "Dangers of National Repentance"
3. "Two Ways with the Self"
4. "Meditation on the Third Commandment"
5. "On Ethics"
6. "Three Kinds of Men"
7. "Answers to Questions on Christianity"
8. "The Laws of Nature"
9. "Membership"
10. "The Sermon and the Lunch"
11. "Scraps"
12. "After Priggery - What?"
13. "Man or Rabbit?"
14. "The Trouble with ‘X' ..."
15. "On Living in an Atomic Age"
16. "Lilies That Fester"
17. "Good Work and Good Works"
18. "A Slip of the Tongue"
19. "We Have No "Right to Happiness"
©2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.; 1980 C. S. Lewis
Audiobook
First published January 1, 2013
About the author
C.S. Lewis
1,129 books49k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Clive Staples Lewis was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954. He was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures.
Lewis was married to poet Joy Davidman.
W.H. Lewis was his elder brother]
Clive Staples Lewis was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954. He was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures.
Lewis was married to poet Joy Davidman.
W.H. Lewis was his elder brother]
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 24, 2024
He is always so thought provoking!
February 4, 2026
The best book I’ve read in a while. This is a collection of C. S. Lewis’ short articles and interviews. I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of his work or wants to think deeply about a variety of topics applicable to our modern day and inner lives. Anytime I read something written by Lewis, I am blown away by how smart and logical he is. I am going to want to reread this to let more of it sink in.
May 9, 2017
Lewcidity, n., the capacity to express the truth with clarity, rationality, and winsomeness like unto Jack's
May 12, 2021
This book is solid wisdom in soundbites - short essays, letters, talks by CS Lewis, about the struggle to live the life of a Christ-follower in a world where the values of Christ are no longer normative or universally accepted. Gnarly and troublesome questions are tackled calmly and with jaw-dropping logic applying the truths of Jesus to a convoluted generation.
Many of these essays I have read in other of his compilations, some of which I remembered vaguely, needing review. One - "The Right to Happiness" - has stayed with me since I first read it as a young woman, decades ago, in God in the Dock. It was the last in this series.
The first is a treatise on whether or not a Christian can go to war, or if he should be a pacifist. It wrestles with the sources of our moral decision making, and I remembered reading it in God in the Dock, but had forgotten much of it. CS Lewis is so brilliant, and I am not, so I listened to it over and over. Why? Not for the specific issue of pacifism, but because the moral decision-making questions and factors are still timely today, only in the arena of Covid. As I read, I could hear the voices on both sides, and the machinations of "fact", fear, "truth", gut-level feelings, and biased passions.
This book, full of timeless truth, is still helpful because "There's nothing new under the sun."
Many of these essays I have read in other of his compilations, some of which I remembered vaguely, needing review. One - "The Right to Happiness" - has stayed with me since I first read it as a young woman, decades ago, in God in the Dock. It was the last in this series.
The first is a treatise on whether or not a Christian can go to war, or if he should be a pacifist. It wrestles with the sources of our moral decision making, and I remembered reading it in God in the Dock, but had forgotten much of it. CS Lewis is so brilliant, and I am not, so I listened to it over and over. Why? Not for the specific issue of pacifism, but because the moral decision-making questions and factors are still timely today, only in the arena of Covid. As I read, I could hear the voices on both sides, and the machinations of "fact", fear, "truth", gut-level feelings, and biased passions.
This book, full of timeless truth, is still helpful because "There's nothing new under the sun."
January 7, 2020
In view of current events related to the U.S. and Iran, regardless of political position, each Christian would do well in reviewing the essay entitled, "Why I Am Not a Pacifist." Here's a quote:
"I think the art of life consists in tackling each immediate evil as well as we can. To avert or postpone one particular war by wise policy, or to render one particular campaign shorter by strength and skill or less terribly by mercy to the conquered and the civilians is more useful than all the proposals for universal peace that have ever been made; just as the dentist who can stop one toothache has deserved better of humanity than all the men who think they have some scheme for producing a perfectly healthy race."
Doing good by "tackling each immediate evil" is better that waiting around for some universal peace, which will never come. Have you read Revelations? Or Genesis? People are not "basically good," as I've heard some say. Since the fall, each person born is basically evil. The world is not headed toward some universal peace... at least not this world.
"I think the art of life consists in tackling each immediate evil as well as we can. To avert or postpone one particular war by wise policy, or to render one particular campaign shorter by strength and skill or less terribly by mercy to the conquered and the civilians is more useful than all the proposals for universal peace that have ever been made; just as the dentist who can stop one toothache has deserved better of humanity than all the men who think they have some scheme for producing a perfectly healthy race."
Doing good by "tackling each immediate evil" is better that waiting around for some universal peace, which will never come. Have you read Revelations? Or Genesis? People are not "basically good," as I've heard some say. Since the fall, each person born is basically evil. The world is not headed toward some universal peace... at least not this world.
June 16, 2021
Please read this book now and every year! I’m adding it to my yearly rotation.
Thank you C.S. Lewis for this eye opening dive into Christianity and what that means in this earthly society. I needed this more than ever right now and appreciate so much of what he has to say on topics that are happening around us RIGHT NOW!
When he goes into how once you allow society and culture to win and rule your point of view you are so far removed and are focusing on pointless objectives that only radiate hate and better than. (I’m paraphrasing)
I need to read this again and take so many notes. It has helped me on my path in restoring my faith by providing common daily examples and the pillars of truth that I have been longing for.
Thank you C.S. Lewis for this eye opening dive into Christianity and what that means in this earthly society. I needed this more than ever right now and appreciate so much of what he has to say on topics that are happening around us RIGHT NOW!
When he goes into how once you allow society and culture to win and rule your point of view you are so far removed and are focusing on pointless objectives that only radiate hate and better than. (I’m paraphrasing)
I need to read this again and take so many notes. It has helped me on my path in restoring my faith by providing common daily examples and the pillars of truth that I have been longing for.
January 12, 2026
In reading the works of C.S. Lewis one might sense issues of 2025 USA were being addressed, rather than those of 1940s & 1950s England. His descriptions of the church, judicial system, the educational process (especially at the university level), & culture in general are very relevant.
Occasionally, understanding the British English might interfere with the "reading flow" of the American English reader, and Mr. Lewis' wit & humor might be disregarded, but his thoughts are definitely ones to examine and upon which to contemplate.
Occasionally, understanding the British English might interfere with the "reading flow" of the American English reader, and Mr. Lewis' wit & humor might be disregarded, but his thoughts are definitely ones to examine and upon which to contemplate.
February 22, 2021
In this collection of essays and talks CS Lewis tackles questions of ethics from Christian moral perspective. A wide range of topics from pacifism to politics, sexual ethics to reason itself. Thus no topic is satisfactorily discussed but we get slight, summary glimpses into CS Lewis's thinking on these topics. It seems directed at non Christians, or at least helping Christians explain to non Christians why and how their Christianity impacts their ethics.
September 7, 2023
I’ve been down a rabbit hole of C.S. Lewis writings lately and I have very much enjoyed listening to this collection of his shorter works. I like hearing about his views on culture and current events of his time, especially with a lot of his works being made during or shortly after the war. Seeing how his personal beliefs shaped his view of the war and human behavior during it was very interesting to hear.
January 17, 2022
An amassed gathering of separate articles/essays which approach how Christians should or could present itself in the world.
The Trouble With X is a masterpiece! I can readily relate to it. Worth reading for this alone! However, there are very many thought provoking articles and definitely a resource to return to.
The Trouble With X is a masterpiece! I can readily relate to it. Worth reading for this alone! However, there are very many thought provoking articles and definitely a resource to return to.
March 3, 2026
Like listening to a long rambly podcast of CS Lewis just saying a bunch of his opinions in his classic way
I honestly think if anybody wants to just get to know Lewis, his voice, and his general approach to life, this is probably where I would tell them to start
A lot of the essays are 5 stars, but some of them were pretty irrelevant to today since they were topical during his life
I honestly think if anybody wants to just get to know Lewis, his voice, and his general approach to life, this is probably where I would tell them to start
A lot of the essays are 5 stars, but some of them were pretty irrelevant to today since they were topical during his life
March 24, 2023
I didn't realize it at first but this is a collection of essays that at least in part appear in his other works. Since it starts out with "Why I Am Not a Pacifist" from "The Weight of Glory" (a favorite) I continued.
Very thought provoking.
Very thought provoking.
December 19, 2023
I believe it is impossible to encounter Lewis and not leave a little wiser and more than a little more thoughtful. This collection of essays and speeches cover a variety of topics and a chalked full of Lewis' musings. Well worth the read!
May 25, 2025
Very good lectures with deep insight into various topics ranging from morality, politics, culture, religion and other deeper truths.
As usual, C.S. Lewis is at his most insightful here. I would recommend everyone to listen to this once.
As usual, C.S. Lewis is at his most insightful here. I would recommend everyone to listen to this once.
February 7, 2018
This is a good book to read as a new Christian. Answers alot of life's question that I am grappling with.
December 22, 2018
I ❤ C.S. Lewis
August 6, 2019
An interesting view into Lewis views on a lot of this. I may not agree with much of his conclusions but I respect his attempt to handle them the best he could.
March 12, 2021
Collection of essays.
June 29, 2021
The language and examples could use some updating but the issues covered are very relevant to today.
November 2, 2021
An interesting collection of essays on a wide range of topics.
Lilies that Fester is a great read
Lilies that Fester is a great read
August 29, 2022
I’m a fan and have some of this elsewhere but still… never gets old.
August 5, 2023
Basically a bite-sized God in the Dock
March 7, 2024
A collection of wisdom from C. S. Lewis. Thought-provoking topics with clout for today.
April 24, 2024
I have loved everything that Mr. Lewis has written. What is most interesting is that this was the book I needed this week. I highly recommend you read this when the time is right.
October 17, 2024
Yet another Lewis book of collected short works. Some not as weighty but some extremely good ones in this collection.
December 28, 2024
Every time I crack open a CS Lewis book, I'm captivated anew by his brilliance.
April 24, 2016
It's a bunch of random Lewis articles stitched together....the lack of cohesion is noticeable but any Lewis is good Lewis.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews