Joyful Christian [Paperback]

C.S. Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 3, 1996

C.S. Lewis, himself a convert, wrote of being "surprised by joy" when he discovered his belief in Jesus Christ. In these 127 devotional readings, selected from Lewis's many works on faith and spirituality, Christians everywhere can share in the joy of this master theologian as he discusses topics ranging from the nature of prayer and good works to psychoanalysis and fascism. In The Joyful Christian, Lewis offers inspiration for all those who hunger and thirst after joy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

America The Joyful Christian gives as good an introduction to the breadth and depth of Lewis's religious reflections as you are likely to find between two covers.

Christianity Today The most welcome general book in the field of theology. Excellent for both those who have long appreciated Lewis and those who need an introduction.

About the Author

C.S. Lewis was a professor of medieval and Renaissance literature at Oxford and Cambridge universities who wrote more than thirty books in his lifetime, including The Screwtape Letters, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Mere Christianity. He died in 1963.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Scribner; Touchstone ed edition (June 3, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684823772
• ISBN-13: 978-0684823775
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lewis' compelling theology:, January 21, 2003

By 

Wesley L. Janssen (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Joyful Christian (Paperback)

C.S. Lewis' works, insofar as I have read them, are philosophically and theologically well considered. Of course, that is an understatement. He shies away from no serious question or "problem". He was the most important apologist of the twentieth century.
The Joyful Christian is a collection of 127 readings drawn from his extensive body of work, varying in length from a few sentences to several pages. This reader found only a few discussions in which (I believe) Lewis errs. Most of this collection is very sound (again an understatement). At the same time I was reading this volume, I was reading the thoughts of another well-known 20th century theologian, who was in search of the "historical Jesus." Lewis' thoughts on the subject were much closer to being correct: "In the last generation we promoted the construction of such a 'historical Jesus' on liberal and humanitarian lines; we are now putting forward a new 'historical Jesus' on Marxian, catastrophic, and revolutionary lines. The advantages of these constructions, which we intend to change every thirty years or so, are manifold. ...for each 'historical Jesus' is unhistorical. The documents say what they say ...each new 'historical Jesus' therefore has to be got out of them by suppression at one point and exaggeration at another ...religion of this kind is false to history..."
Lewis on 'Prudence': "Christ said we could only get into His world by being like children... as St. Paul points out, Christ never meant that we were to remain children in intelligence: on the contrary, He told us to be not only 'as harmless as doves' but also 'as wise as serpents.' He wants a child's heart, but a grown-up's head. He wants us to be simple, single-minded, affectionate, and teachable, as good children are; but he also wants every bit of intelligence we have to be alert at its job... He wants everyone to use what sense they have."
Lewis on 'Hope': "The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get Earth 'thrown in': aim at Earth and you will get neither."
Lewis on 'Apologetics': "The great difficulty is to get modern audiences to realize that you are preaching Christianity solely and simply because you happen to think it is true; they always suppose you are preaching it because you like it or think it good for society or something of that sort..."
'The Joyful Christian' is one of the best collections of theological thought and Christian apologetics you are likely to find.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent in every way, July 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Joyful Christian (Paperback)

Lewis eagerly inspiring throught he whole thing. I recognized the selections from other series, and have since bought those books. His works amaze me and never cease to enlighten me. This is a must read; it'll take you no time at all.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have for any Lewis Fan!, February 18, 2000

By 

J. Monaghan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joyful Christian (Paperback)

From invariably the most influential apologist of the twentieth century comes one of the best collections of thoughts and essays ever compiled. From his thoughts on 'Intercourse in the Afterlife' to his view of Jesus Christ, Touchstone Books has struck gold with this brilliant excursion into the mind of C.S. Lewis. It is a true classic and is a must-have for any true fan of this century's greatest theologian!