C.S. Lewis's the Problem of Pain / A Grief Observed

Shepherd's Notes

by Terry L. Miethe

Shepherd's Notes- Christian Classics Series is designed to give readers a quick, step by step overview of some of the enduring treasures of the Christian faith. They are designed to be used along side the classic itself- either in individual study or in a study group. The faithful of all generations have found spiritual nourishment in the Scriptures and in the works of Christians of earlier generations. Martin Luther and John Calvin would not have become who they were apart from their reading Augustine. God used the writings of Martin Luther to move John Wesley from a religion of dead works to an experience at Aldersgate in which his "heart was strangely warmed." Shepherd's Notes will give pastors, laypersons, and students access to some of the treasures of Christian faith.

Genres: Spirituality, Religion, Classics

112 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[Mike Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something about Lewis captures my interest. Maybe it is that he's far above my intellectual capacity but I feel like I can be stretched to his heights by sticking with him.

[Mary E. Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super sad but very insightful. Felt weird to give such a sad essay more than 3 stars but alas. He has some really good lines regarding how we view grief like comparing loss to an amputation. Or “For in grief nothing “stays put.” One keeps on emerging from a phase, but it always recurs. Round and round. Everything repeats. Am I going in circles, or dare I hope I am on a spiral?” Or comparing grief to fear in the way that it consumes us and we feel helpless. He tries to intellectualize his feelings instead of feeling them and I am guilty of that as well. My favorite quote though was “I see people, as they approach me, trying to make up their minds whether they’ll ‘say something about it’ or not. I hate if they do, and if they don’t.” That hit me so strongly because I feel that way about issues in my life or grief in my life that I’ve experienced. Good read if you’re in the right headspace.

[Dan'S_mind]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRg3j...

[Jennifer Tse · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great analysis of The Problem of Pain and A Grief Observed. It includes relevant verses and good background information. I learned more about C.S. (Jack) Lewis' life, which is really helpful in seeing where his perspectives are from. I haven't read A Grief Observed yet, but reading this cause me to want to read it soon.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

A free will type of defense for the problem of evil. His take on animal suffering is very interesting. It is also nice that he includes Heaven in his book because a lot of problem of evil books don't include it. His focus is on the age old question: If God is all good, all knowing, all powerful then why is there evil. He does a pretty good job with it too.

[Andru · Rating 2 out of 5]

A true depiction of grief but one so overwhelmed by his religious questions that I can hardly read it without gagging.

[Libby Baker Sweiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

These were great and deepened my understanding of the Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis (See Review).

[Jeffrey Christ · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing man and writer.