Rating: Summary: Beautiful Review: This is C.S. Lewis at his best. The Great Divorce is a story of one man's soul traveling from hell to heaven with a group of others, where various inhabitants of heaven try to convince them to stay. It is a wonderful story that, unlike much of Lewis' non-fiction, reads very easily from start to finish and (as is typical for Lewis) a ray of hope shines throughout this work. Definitely read this one.
Rating: Summary: My all time favorite book Review: If I had to choose only one book (excluding the Bible) as my all time favorite, this would be it. I was brought up as a Catholic and turned Protestant. This book helped put into perspective the concept of Purgatory and the idea that God does not send anyone to Hell, rather, they choose to go themselves. The imagery in this book is wonderful, the senarios are timeless. I have read this book many times, but I have to keep buying new copies because I love this book so much that I keep giving it to other people to read.
Rating: Summary: Free will and destiny are reconciled. Review: C.S. Lewis is one of my favorite authors. I read this book expecting great things and Lewis delivered. In the characters I saw something of myself, the human condition and the meaning of Life. The insights in this book range from the trivial to the profound, something for everyone. For example, Lewis explains how Time and Eternity make it possible for us to have both our free will and our destiny. He shows how important we are, yet also how insignificant we can become if we choose not to see our spiritual paths.
Rating: Summary: Catch CS Lewis at his best Review: The is truly a Christian classic. In this book, CS Lewis gives you a glimpse of hell, and a glimpse within your own soul in ways that will have you relating completely to the characters. CS Lewis does a magnificent job of illustrating the denials and rationalizations that are faced by society, and even though this book was written decades ago, one can see the timelessness of his message. One must be ever vigilant! It is an insightful commentary on our human nature and often our obsession with being self-centered. Without you knowing it, CS Lewis touches on some basic theological issues, but without what some would consider his usual "headiness". This book, along with The Screwtape Letters can serve as a good introduction to the writings of C.S. Lewis.
Rating: Summary: Wonderful fiction and parable - but marginal theology Review: This is a delightful work of fiction. Lewis is unparalleled in his ability to intertwine spiritual truths with the human psyche. As also shown in The Screwtape Letters, Lewis has unusually keen insight into human behavior and this behavior manifests itself in spiritual dynamics. There are portraits both tragic and comic in this book that, taken as isolated examples, soberly illustrate how petty grievances, grumbling, and the need to control others reveal eternal separation from God. This is consistent with Lewis's notion in The Screwtape Letters that cards can just as easily lead someone to hell as murder. These are cautionary tales that focus on the common foibles of humans - and this, as much as a strength, is also its weakness. Theologically, it tends to too greatly emphasize the free will and sovereignty of humans rather than God. God appears as one who stands by, waiting and hoping that each will give up the petty sins that separate them from eternal joy. This image directly contradicts the God of the Sciptures, whose eternal decrees are not dependant on the actions of the created to carry them out. He is the Potter and we are the clay - a concept clearly set forth in Scripture. In short, it is a wonderful parable and should be read by all thinking Christians, but those same thinking Christians should understand the difference between good literature and good theology.
Rating: Summary: Powerful Book. . . Review: The book, the Great Divorce, by C.S. Lewis, is nothing shy of amazing! Lewis' style, and use of language allures, and captures the reader, taking them right into the heart of this book. I was definitely intrigued by the title, and then completely captivated by the content! Once you start reading, you'll never wanna stop. The Great Divorce should definitely be considered one of Lewis' greatest works. Lewis parallels the great debate, and internal struggle that man(persons) have in relation to God. This book will really drive you to think about God, and if God exists, and God's awesomeness. Give it a read, I'm sure you'll agree.
Rating: Summary: I never fail to learn something new from Lewis Review: The wonderful thing about C.S. Lewis was that he put an amazing amount of thought into his faith. He understood better than most that becoming a Christian meant constantly trying to understand more, to examine both one's self and one's relationship to God. His penetrating intellegence towards Christianity is something that is often lacking in religion, and every time I read Lewis I learn something new, both about myself and my faith. Lewis is a true master. Another author who I'd highly recomend to anyone who enjoys Lewis, one who explores the Christian faith as brilliantly as Lewis, is Brian Caldwell. His novel, We All Fall Down is breathtaking. I'd put him on a par with Lewis, both for writing ability and theological brilliance. His novel is one of the few Christian masterpieces. Both Lewis and Caldwell should be read by those who have discovered God and want to explore that faith as deeply as possible, and perhaps more importantly, by those who have not.
Rating: Summary: C.S. Lewis Goes to Heaven... Review: I never tire of praising C.S. Lewis. His "A Grief Observed" is as close to humanity as you can get. This time, however, he takes us from the world we all know, onto Heaven and Hell. What takes us there is an omnibus which stations itself on a particular street in a particular neighborhood which is neither day nor night and never stops raining. Eventually, then, we are taken to ghosts, angels, and the Laws of God. The rainy streets are themselves a hell. Unless, of course, one takes the bus to Heaven. In that case, the rainy streets were only a kind of purgatory. But the ghosts who take the bus are not solid enough to enjoy Heaven. They have to go past the mountains in order to become solid. But so few of them do because they are afraid of what is past the mountains...C.S. Lewis is giving us a suggestion of the Afterlife not meant in literal terms. But how grand it would be to see his story come to life!
Rating: Summary: Everybody in? Review: This book is a psychological masterpiece. The dialogues are pure genius. Lewis' skeptical biographer, A. N. Wilson, acknowledging his wit, thought Lewis' parodies cruel. But is it cruel to warn of the corruption of the soul, in a way that might lead to healing? We may see the characters described here in the "real world" around us. Lewis is hoping, of course, that we will recognize some shadow of ourselves, and recognize our need of God's help in attaining freedom. Lewis warns in the preface that his purpose is not to promote speculation about the nature of heaven and hell. Still, the book is very thought-provoking on that count as well. This book might be helpful to someone who is trying to reconcile the love of God with the Christian doctrine of hell, as it was to M. Scott Peck, for example. A few days ago I saw an interview of a great character actress who, when asked what she would like to hear God say when she arrived at the gate of heaven, replied, "Everybody in." The audience applauded loudly. Lewis, noting the remark of Milton's devil that it is "better to reign in hell than serve in heaven," in effect poses the question, "What if not everybody wants in?" Or as Jesus put it, what if, when the invitation to the wedding of the Lamb arrives at our door, we are busy with livestock and real estate transactions, and we decide to stay home?
Rating: Summary: Thought-provoking Review: I love how Lewis always manages to sneak a point or two past you. With all his religious writings, I find myself turning back a chapter or two saying, "Oh, so that's what he was getting at!" Lewis provides an intriguing look at what Heaven and Hell might be like while clearly indicating that it is only an idea. Definitely worth a read.
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