On November 22, 1963, three great men died within a few hours of each other: C.S. Lewis, John F. Kennedy and Aldous Huxley. All three believed, in different ways, that death is not the end of human life. Suppose they were right, and suppose they met after death. How might the conversation go?Peter Kreeft imagines their discourse as a modern Socratic dialog--a part of The Great Conversation that has been going on for centuries. Does human life have meaning? Is it possible to know about life after death? What if one could prove that Jesus was God?Combining logical argument and literary imagination, Kreeft portrays Lewis as a Christian theist, Kennedy as a modern humanist and Huxley as an Eastern pantheist. Their interaction involves not only good thinking but good drama.
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--------- AUDIO LECTURES --------- $1 each (MP3)
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Peter Kreeft MP3
RECORDED LECTURES:
http://peterkreeft.com/audio.htm
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---"Beauty" -- The branch of philosophy dealing with aesthetics.
---"C. S. Lewis and Mere Christianity" -- C.S. Lewis' masterpiece
---"Christianity in Lord of the Rings" -- The cleverly disguised role of God
---"Culture War" -- A call to arms, mapping key enemies and battlefields
---"Existence of God" -- A magnificent overview of the arguments
---"Good, True, Beautiful" -- C.S. Lewis on three great transcendentals
---"Happiness" -- How do you get it? Christ's version vs. the world's
---"Heaven" -- The heart's deepest longing
---"Hollywood Screenwriting" -- Encouragement to film's creative storytellers
---"If Einstein Had Been a Surfer" -- Rediscovering intuitive thinking
---"Lord, Liar, or Lunatic" -- The famous argument for Christ's identity
---"Problem of Pain" -- C.S. Lewis's brilliant exposition on suffering and evil
---"Sex in Heaven" -- Imaging the fire of God's love
---"Sexual Reconnection" -- Healing the link between sex & love
---"Shocking Beauty" -- The live character of Christ
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Lecture scheduling and more info:
http://www.peterkreeft.com
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
107 of 109 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
November 22, 1963 was a day that all who were alive that day will remember. It was the day J.F. Kennedy was killed. But in the shadow of that famous death two other great men died that day, Aldous Huxley and C.S. Lewis. This book deals with those three famous men and a fictional dialog they would have sometime after life, but before a final judgment.
These three great men each believed in an afterlife but differently. Lewis in ancient western theism, Kennedy was a humanist, and Huxley believed in ancient eastern pantheism. Each also believed or practiced different forms of Christianity. Lewis was more mainline orthodox Christianity, Kennedy was a modernist or humanistic Christianity and Huxley an Orientalized or mystical Christianity.
The three men meet in a white mist or fog, they debate where they are, what they believe and where they think they will end up. Like many of Kreeft's books it is written as a dialogue, a conversation in three parts. They each present their world views, their view of the afterlife and their understanding of what their life meant. Yet each is open to the `truth' what truth really is and if it has eternal impact.
This is one of those fun light reads, written in a unique and engaging manner that will presenting the three most common views currently accepted in Christianity, and three of the common interpretations of Christianity in today's world. If you want to understand other streams of Christianity or the Christians around you this book will give you a clear, concise and humorous presentation of the three main approaches today.
These three great men each believed in an afterlife but differently. Lewis in ancient western theism, Kennedy was a humanist, and Huxley believed in ancient eastern pantheism. Each also believed or practiced different forms of Christianity. Lewis was more mainline orthodox Christianity, Kennedy was a modernist or humanistic Christianity and Huxley an Orientalized or mystical Christianity.
The three men meet in a white mist or fog, they debate where they are, what they believe and where they think they will end up. Like many of Kreeft's books it is written as a dialogue, a conversation in three parts. They each present their world views, their view of the afterlife and their understanding of what their life meant. Yet each is open to the `truth' what truth really is and if it has eternal impact.
This is one of those fun light reads, written in a unique and engaging manner that will presenting the three most common views currently accepted in Christianity, and three of the common interpretations of Christianity in today's world. If you want to understand other streams of Christianity or the Christians around you this book will give you a clear, concise and humorous presentation of the three main approaches today.
40 of 41 people found the following review helpful
By Rob Taylor
Format:Paperback
Between Heaven & Hell has a subtitle which reads, "A Dialog Somewhere Beyond Death with John F. Kennedy, C.S. Lewis & Aldous Huxley". Yes, this is a fictional trialog in "limbo" of the most important question in human history - Who is Jesus Christ? Many people are unaware that JFK, Lewis and Huxley all died within hours of each other on November 22, 1963. It seems the assassination of President Kennedy from either the grassy knoll or from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository somehow managed to overshadow the deaths of the other two men. Go figure!
Much of the fictional discussion between these three characters revolves around their own writings although Kreeft employs a bit of literary license for the sake of argument. The fact that Kreeft is a Catholic doesn't affect the content of this book since the argument is essentially Lewis' straight, or "mere" Christianity. The position of JFK is that of a humanistic Christian in the sense of emphasizing "horizontal" social activity rather than "vertical" religious experience...religion without revelation. Kennedy portrays his view of Christ as that of a man become god. Huxley doesn't get the air time that Lewis and JFK get, but his contribution is significant. He represents the eastern pantheist position and reinterprets Christianity as a form of the universal philosophy of pantheism. In this view, Jesus was one of the great sages of history along with Buddha, Socrates, Confucius, Mohammed and the rest. Employing the Socratic method of question and answer, Kreeft slowly but surely uses Lewis' arguments to refute the views of Jesus being a lunatic, liar or just a great moral teacher. Once this is done, He argues that Jesus was God in the flesh, just as He claimed to be. Approximately the last third of the book focuses on the reliability of the gospel accounts which record the claims of Christ.
I found this book to be a very enjoyable read, especially the Socratic method that Kreeft employs. Although I don't criticize Kreeft for making the most out of the historical situation, I'll just say that the only theological disagreement I had with this book was the immediate destiny of the three men being "limbo" which I'm sure is only used by Kreeft as a setting for the discussion. The argument from Lewis was very thought-provoking and required honesty with the end result being much clearer thinking concerning the person of Christ, not to mention his inescapable conclusions which were drawn. I found it very interesting how he would ask of the opposition very pointed, yet fair questions. I was glad to find that the rabbit trails were quickly discounted so the reader can follow the arguments more easily. Throughout the discussion, Kreeft continually reminds the reader that as Christians, we don't try to win arguments for ourselves (I use "argument" in the technical sense of presenting evidence in favor of one's position). It doesn't matter who wins or loses. Truth is what we all must submit to, not someone's ability to debate.We present evidence in favor of the truth and truth must win the battle.
35 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Three men died on the same day in November, 1963: JFK, Aldous Huxley, and CS Lewis. The book is a fictional recreation of how their meeting might take place.
I would like to write my review in the form of a pros/cons list with the following premise: I really liked this book.
Cons: I think there are fewer than the pros by far, but my own view includes-
1.) Though I actually agree with Kreeft's portrayal of Kennedy overall as a philosophical dilletante compared to Lewis and Huxley, Kreeft could have been a little more generous to JFK.
2.) Kreeft is a little more philosophically specific than Lewis who wrote to more of a "lay" crowd.
Pros:
1.) I disagree with previous reviews that say that the book misrepresented Lewis. Few people know the ins and outs of Lewis better than Kreeft. Consider these parallels as proof: A.) the aut deus aut homo malus argument is a direct recapitulation of the lunatic, liar, or Lord argument present in Mere Christianity and some of Lewis' other works.
B.) Those who say that Lewis believed that all cultures and religions were equal is not exactly correct. Lewis believed that pieces of truth were lodged in other religions, but did not believe that all religions were created equal. Again a close reading of the opening in Mere Christianity makes it clear that Lewis is an adamant Christian.
C.) The way in which Lewis believed that all people were equal was in their imperfection when confronting the holy reality of God. Huxley, on the other hand, adhered to a more pantheistic view of human nature that lumped the good and the bad in one ubiquitous whole. The glaring metaphysical differences between pantheism and theism disclose the deduction that Huxley and Lewis were proponents of two profoundly different worldviews and thus had fewer mental/philosophical "overlaps" than might appear prima facie. Reading the Lewis book, "Miracles," makes that demarcation even clearer.
Pro #2: There are times when Huxley really comes on strong. If you read some of Kreeft's other works, you'll see he has a healthy respect of Aldous;in BHAH Lewis has read "Brave New World," and in other nonfictional works Kreeft actually praises the insights in the aforementioned book. I think the critique that Huxley is misrepresented is a bit unwarranted.
Pro #3: It is a cool re-enactment of what is much like a Socratic dialogue.
Pro #4: Kreeft isn't psychic, but seems to articulate the biggest differences between the three ideological camps of Christianity, modernism, and perennial philosophy/pantheism pretty well.
I highly recommend this book.
I would like to write my review in the form of a pros/cons list with the following premise: I really liked this book.
Cons: I think there are fewer than the pros by far, but my own view includes-
1.) Though I actually agree with Kreeft's portrayal of Kennedy overall as a philosophical dilletante compared to Lewis and Huxley, Kreeft could have been a little more generous to JFK.
2.) Kreeft is a little more philosophically specific than Lewis who wrote to more of a "lay" crowd.
Pros:
1.) I disagree with previous reviews that say that the book misrepresented Lewis. Few people know the ins and outs of Lewis better than Kreeft. Consider these parallels as proof: A.) the aut deus aut homo malus argument is a direct recapitulation of the lunatic, liar, or Lord argument present in Mere Christianity and some of Lewis' other works.
B.) Those who say that Lewis believed that all cultures and religions were equal is not exactly correct. Lewis believed that pieces of truth were lodged in other religions, but did not believe that all religions were created equal. Again a close reading of the opening in Mere Christianity makes it clear that Lewis is an adamant Christian.
C.) The way in which Lewis believed that all people were equal was in their imperfection when confronting the holy reality of God. Huxley, on the other hand, adhered to a more pantheistic view of human nature that lumped the good and the bad in one ubiquitous whole. The glaring metaphysical differences between pantheism and theism disclose the deduction that Huxley and Lewis were proponents of two profoundly different worldviews and thus had fewer mental/philosophical "overlaps" than might appear prima facie. Reading the Lewis book, "Miracles," makes that demarcation even clearer.
Pro #2: There are times when Huxley really comes on strong. If you read some of Kreeft's other works, you'll see he has a healthy respect of Aldous;in BHAH Lewis has read "Brave New World," and in other nonfictional works Kreeft actually praises the insights in the aforementioned book. I think the critique that Huxley is misrepresented is a bit unwarranted.
Pro #3: It is a cool re-enactment of what is much like a Socratic dialogue.
Pro #4: Kreeft isn't psychic, but seems to articulate the biggest differences between the three ideological camps of Christianity, modernism, and perennial philosophy/pantheism pretty well.
I highly recommend this book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Straw man/Soft ball analysis
Apart from the shocking beginning of the book where we are asked to believe that JFK - having just been brutally assassinated, leaving behind small children, a wife and a country... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Frank McGowan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny book, good read
Peter Kreeft doesn't get the credit he deserves for writing highly intellectual and yet easy to understand and witty books.
Published 4 months ago by Michael
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not what I was hoping for
Have you ever imagined having a conversation with someone? Doesn't matter if it's a family member, friend, co-worker, classmate ... whoever. Be honest. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Raoul Duke
4.0 out of 5 stars
An interesting read...
I've wanted to read Peter Kreeft's "Between Heaven & Hell" since I first heard its premise years ago, and I finally got the chance when a friend loaned the book to me just before a... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Chad Oberholtzer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Short But Sweet
This novel by Peter Kreeft features a meeting and conversation by three very well known people with vastly different philosophies who died on the same day.
Although Nov. Read more
Although Nov. Read more
Published on February 5, 2011 by S. Peek
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Read -
This book by P. Kreeft is an excellent, low-key read of Christian apologetics and comparative religion. Read more
Published on August 10, 2009 by James Rowland Lollar
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Ending
C.S. Lewis, John F. Kennedy and Aldous Huxley all died on the same day, November 22, 1963. This short little book is an imaginary debate between the three of them on that date as... Read more
Published on April 27, 2008 by Shawn T. Miller
2.0 out of 5 stars
BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL
BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK IN ITS CATEGORY.
Published on April 10, 2006 by M. C. MILLER
3.0 out of 5 stars
Between...
*** November 22, 1963 is one of those days that is unforgettable in the minds of many; so much so that at least one man chose November 22 on which to marry so that he could never... Read more
Published on March 2, 2005 by AK
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good introduction to an important debate.
In "Between Heaven and Hell," Peter Kreeft sets up a fictional debate between C.S. Lewis, Aldous Huxley, and John F. Read more
Published on December 31, 2004 by miked99
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