KNOWING . OING &DC S L EWIS INSTITUTE Fall 2009 A Teaching Quarterly for Discipleship of Heart and Mind PROFILE IN FAITH George MacDonald: An Original Thinker by Tanya Ingham, M.A. C.S. Lewis Institute Fellow .S. Lewis remarks, in George MacDon- the Atlantic. In comparison, MacDonald IN THis IssUE ald: An Anthology, that he doubted became relatively unknown during the fol- 2 Notes from Cwhether he had ever written a book lowing century. Biographers consider the the President in which he did not quote George MacDon- decline of interest the result of a change in by Tom Tarrants ald. Lewis states that he made no secret of the modern appetite, which no longer found the fact that he regarded MacDonald as his palatable the didactic style of the religious 3 C.S. Lewis the master.1 Lewis attests to a baptism of his content of much of his work. MacDonald’s Evangelist by Philip G. Ryken imagination upon reading MacDonald’s son Greville observed that the theological Phantastes. Similarly, G.K. Chesterton de- slant became less appealing to an audience 4 The Model: scribes the impact of The Princess and the that was becoming less theological and that Becoming More Goblin with the following words: the reader no longer cared for the moral les- Like Christ sons or spiritual challenge inherent in his by Rev. Dr. John I for one can really testify to a book that has 3 R.W. Stott father’s work. made a difference to my whole existence, A deeply reverent and sincere Christian, 6 Theology: Who which helped me to see things in a certain MacDonald was accused of heresy on more Needs It? way from the start; a vision of things which than one occasion (and with good reason). by Art Lindsley even so real a revolution as a change of His first pastorate was lost in part due to religious allegiance has substantially only such charges. His life, thought, and work re- 15 Recommended crowned and confirmed.2 Reading veal a mystic concerned with widening the vision of others beyond this world; a writer 23 Questions and Admirers of Lewis may be familiar with who infused the mundane with the divine Answers on these laudatory descriptions, but not as fa- or revealed the divine in the mundane; a C.S. Lewis miliar with the person praised. pastor whose pulpit lay beyond the bounds George MacDonald, a Victorian Scot- of the church; an unsystematic theologian; 31 Charles Spurgeon on Reading the tish writer, produced 53 books of varied a loyal friend; and a loving husband and Bible genre, including fiction, fantasy, sermons, father. A complex man, yet childlike in his poetry, novels, short stories, and essays. faith, MacDonald demonstrated a passion- 32 Resources His work was well known in the latter part ate love for God which his life displayed of the nineteenth century on both sides of and which he exercised (continued on page 8) In the legacy of C.S. Lewis, the Institute endeavors to develop disciples who can articulate, defend, and live C. S . L EWIS INSTITUTE faith in Christ through personal and public life. E S T A B L I S H E D 1 9 7 6 NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT by Thomas A. Tarrants, III, D. Min. President, C.S. Lewis Institute Dear Friends, or some months, we have been looking at the state of the church and asking what is necessary for the church to be restored to healthy spiritual life and Fvitality. In the last issue, we looked at the need for sound biblical exposition from the pulpit. But biblical exposition, while essential, is not sufficient for a healthy spiritual life. One can perhaps survive on a thirty-minute sermon each week, but one will not grow to maturity without more sustained exposure to God’s word. Bishop J.C. Ryle has rightly said, “The Bible applied to the heart by the Holy Spirit is the chief means by which men are built up and established in the faith after their conversion.” Thus, to grow into maturity in Christ, we will also need to take initiative to pursue Him Special Feature through regular reading, meditation, and study of Scripture. Daily Bible reading is a proven, foundational discipline to develop. This is made much easier today by the One Year Bible, which organizes the entire Bible into daily fifteen-minute readings. As John Newton said, “I know of no better rule of reading the Scripture than to read it through from beginning to end, and when we have finished it once, to begin it again.” Meditation on Scripture (quiet, prayerful reflection on a text) is essential if we are to experience its life-changing depth. Thomas Brooks said, “Remember, that it is not hasty reading but serious meditation on holy and heavenly truths that makes them prove sweet and profitable to the soul.” And then there is study. We can grasp certain truths of One can perhaps survive on a thirty- Scripture only by careful study, and it is our responsibil- minute sermon each week, but one will ity to apply ourselves to understand them. Fortunately, there are many high-quality, simple-to-use study tools not grow to maturity without more available today to make this process easier. sustained exposure to God’s word. As vital as it is to immerse ourselves in God’s word, our efforts will come to nothing without two additional things. First, we must always come to Scripture with a conscious and prayerful depen- dence on the Holy Spirit, who alone can open our hearts to it. And second, we must respond to God’s word with the obedience of faith, without which we will become increasingly self-deceived (Jas. 1:22-25). In the next issue we will look at the vital place of prayer for restoring the church. Page 2 • KNOWING & DOING | Fall 2009 Special Feature C.S. Lewis the Evangelist by Philip G. Ryken, Ph.D. Senior Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia ecently, in celebration of its fiftieth to quantify the sale of his books. The num- anniversary, Christianity Today drew bers are impressive. As many as one hun- R up a list of the fifty books that have dred Lewis-related titles are in print at any exercised the greatest influence on evangeli- given time. Roughly two million copies of calism in the last fifty years. The magazine his works are sold every year in the United went through a similar exercise ten years States and the United Kingdom. According ago, when the editors concluded that “one to one estimate, Lewis is the best-selling author’s books indisputably affected Amer- Christian author of all time, with some forty ican evangelicals during this period more million copies in print altogether. He may than…those of any of the other authors also be the most frequently quoted Chris- Philip Ryken has written mentioned.” “I mean,” wrote the author, “of tian author of all time. or edited more than twenty books. He has preached at course, C.S. Lewis.” Of course. Who else? The trouble with statistics is that, al- Tenth Presbyterian Church Special FeatureNot that the impact of Lewis has been though they can lie, they cannot tell stories. in Philadelphia since 1995. limited to evangelicalism. C.S. Lewis holds The important thing about C.S. Lewis is not Dr. Ryken lives with his sway among mere Christians everywhere. how many people have read him, but the wife, Lisa, and five children. At the same time Christianity Today was cel- extent to which reading him has become a ebrating its birthday, another publication life-transforming experience. Popularity is was rightly advertising Lewis as “an ally not the same thing as influence; C.S. Lewis we all trust,” Protestants, Catholics, and has had both. Orthodox alike. C.S. Lewis is usually considered to have The marriage of British erudition to Amer- had a substantial influence on atheists, ag- ican consumerism has produced a market- nostics, and other unbelievers. In the first ing sensation. As one writer whimsically critical study of his thought, Chad Walsh observed in The Virginia Quarterly Review, identified him as the Apostle to the Skeptics. One often sees references to the “numerous” …[T]he Lewis devotee (and there are many, or even “countless” people whom C.S. Lewis judging from the sales figures) could, upon has brought to faith in Jesus Christ. To cite rising, don his C.S. Lewis sweatshirt, ascer- just one example, the evangelist Stephen F. tain the date from his C.S. Lewis calendar, Olford speaks of knowing “not just scores, make coffee wearing his C.S. Lewis apron but hundreds of intellectual people…[who] and drink it from his C.S. Lewis mug, offer have come to Christ subsequent to reading devotion to his Maker in the words of C.S. [Mere Christianity].” Lewis, and meditate on what C.S. Lewis had Although the influence of C.S. Lewis is done on that date, before setting off to work or widely assumed, it has (continued on page 15) school with his C.S. Lewis tote bag filled with C.S. Lewis books. Permission is granted to copy for personal and church use; all other uses by request. ©2009 C.S. Lewis Institute Just how influential has C.S. Lewis been? 8001 Braddock Road, Suite 300, Springfield, VA 22151-2110 One way to answer that question would be 703/914-5602 www.cslewisinstitute.org Fall 2009 | KNOWING & DOING • Page 3 The Model: Becoming More Like Christ John Stott’s Final Address by Rev.