C.S. Lewis "The Most Reluctant Convert".

After paying an extended visit to "the dark side" with my recent readings about Stalin's Russia it has been a real JOY to read something which refreshes my soul.

David C Downing's biographical account of CS Lewis's journey to faith has been a real encouragement, not just because it's a great story but because there are nuggets of spiritual insight that resonate with any believer.

I was particularly struck by Lewis's struggle with self analysis - something most sensitive people are troubled by. Lewis's initial loss of faith arose when he realised that he was not being "sincere". Later (p132) he came to the realisation that one cannot "enjoy" and "contemplate" at the same time. You cannot be both unselfconscious and selfconscious simultaneously. To contemplate one's sincerity at prayer (for example) is not to be praying. Consequently such self analysis becomes self defeating. The key seems to be to enjoy the moment and not over-think your own personal significance within it. Lewis calls this 'fussy self attentiveness'. That is an absolutely brilliant insight! I say this as someone often guilty of the same pointless introspection!

I've always been impressed by Lewis's attack on "chronological snobbery"; the conceit that one's own era is superior for no better reason than it comes later. This is the arrogance that fed the Modernist totalitarianism that Lewis confronted in the mid 20th century. Perhaps it will take 50 years for our present day 'chronological snobs' to be unmasked and people then will stand aghast at how our generation was taken in by our own ideologues! The lesson of history is clear; when we abolish God we find we also abolish Man!

Prior to his conversion Lewis had written a couple of obscure books of poetry. His faith in Christ fired up his creativity. He became a prolific writer of the most diverse range of subjects; apologetics, children's stories, science fiction etc. People will still be reading Lewis when the Pullmans of this age are long forgotten. Of course these others will have a momentary notoriety but the things that last touch us with truths that transcend the momentary and remind us of our deeper humanity.