Reflections on C.S. Lewis as an Atheist: A Critical View

As an atheist, my first impression upon reading works by C.S. Lewis was quite mixed. While I acknowledge his prominent contributions to literature and his ability to engage deeply with philosophical and theological questions, I found many of his arguments and claims to be somewhat outdated and lacking in substance. In the late sixties, when The Chronicles of Narnia was still a beloved series, I observed that Lewis' logic seemed overly simplified and his views somewhat parochial. Nonetheless, his literary prowess remains undeniable.

Collaboration between Character and Author: The Screwtape Letters

The Screwtape Letters were indeed brilliant, but this brilliance originated from the complex dynamics between the character of Screwtape and the author C.S. Lewis. Screwtape’s cunning and deviousness stand out as a testament to Lewis’ skill in creating engaging and thought-provoking narratives. However, beyond the character, the work itself could be seen as mediocre at times. The title “Lord Liar or Lunatic” invites a response with “No lie and legend”, highlighting the contradictions within the work.

Mere Christianity: A Propaganda Tool?

Mere Christianity is another work with a rich history. It was originally a series of BBC radio lectures during World War II aimed at unifying a Christian British audience. The author was acutely aware of the sensitive topics that might divide different Christian denominations and political ideologies. Given the complicated political landscape of the time, the book serves more as British WWII entertainment/propaganda than a modern exploration of Christianity. While the best part of a century of scholarship has certainly added some depth to the book, its primary role then was to avoid controversial questions and endorse the status quo.

Fantasy and Apologetics: A Critical Analysis

While C.S. Lewis is celebrated for his fantasy works, such as The Chronicles of Narnia, I found these books to be slow and uninteresting. The dilemmas he concocted often seemed contrived, and his apologetics were deeply flawed, relying on unfounded axioms. A notable quote from his writings reflects a viewpoint that I find illogical:

“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was and is the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon, or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

This quote is an illogical rambling and a non sequitur, demonstrating unsubstantiated claims that only a lunatic or the Devil could believe. It's challenging to understand why such a quote would be seen as groundbreaking in the realm of Christian apologetics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while C.S. Lewis undoubtedly left an indelible mark on literature and Christian philosophy, his writing and arguments may not stand up to contemporary scrutiny. As an atheist, my critical perspective highlights the nuances and potential flaws in his works, suggesting that modern readers and scholars should approach his writings with a balance of admiration and healthy skepticism.