Podcast
Questions and Answers
When was C.S. Lewis born?
When was C.S. Lewis born?
November 29, 1898
When did C.S. Lewis die?
When did C.S. Lewis die?
November 22, 1963
What does C.S. Lewis stand for?
What does C.S. Lewis stand for?
Clive Staples
In what year did Lewis become a theist?
In what year did Lewis become a theist?
In what year did Lewis become a Christian?
In what year did Lewis become a Christian?
What is the definition of joy according to Lewis?
What is the definition of joy according to Lewis?
Who were the two friends that walked with Lewis and helped him understand that Jesus Christ was God?
Who were the two friends that walked with Lewis and helped him understand that Jesus Christ was God?
What does the article mean by 'myth become fact'?
What does the article mean by 'myth become fact'?
What were Lewis's nicknames?
What were Lewis's nicknames?
Where was Lewis born?
Where was Lewis born?
Who was Lewis's tutor/mentor and what was his nickname?
Who was Lewis's tutor/mentor and what was his nickname?
What key events dealt a severe blow to Lewis's faith as a young child?
What key events dealt a severe blow to Lewis's faith as a young child?
Which two authors continued the spiritual awakening of Lewis?
Which two authors continued the spiritual awakening of Lewis?
What was Lewis' first work as a Christian?
What was Lewis' first work as a Christian?
What did Lewis lose out on in his career by choosing to write Christian literature and philosophy?
What did Lewis lose out on in his career by choosing to write Christian literature and philosophy?
Who was Lewis's wife?
Who was Lewis's wife?
What college did Lewis attend?
What college did Lewis attend?
What was the name of the group of friends Lewis was a part of and where did they meet?
What was the name of the group of friends Lewis was a part of and where did they meet?
Who were Lewis's parents?
Who were Lewis's parents?
What was the name of Lewis's brother and what was he called?
What was the name of Lewis's brother and what was he called?
What was Lewis's childhood home called?
What was Lewis's childhood home called?
What was Lewis's first boarding school? Describe it.
What was Lewis's first boarding school? Describe it.
What was Lewis's job as a don?
What was Lewis's job as a don?
Which book illustrated Lewis's conversion to Christianity?
Which book illustrated Lewis's conversion to Christianity?
What is Surprised by Joy?
What is Surprised by Joy?
What book did Lewis write after Joy died?
What book did Lewis write after Joy died?
What book and author inspired Lewis spiritually, even though he didn't see it at the time?
What book and author inspired Lewis spiritually, even though he didn't see it at the time?
Name the writers Lewis considered as heroes.
Name the writers Lewis considered as heroes.
Name the five friends listed that influenced Lewis's relationship with Christ.
Name the five friends listed that influenced Lewis's relationship with Christ.
What book and author did Lewis read that convinced him that Christian history actually made sense?
What book and author did Lewis read that convinced him that Christian history actually made sense?
What group did Tolkien and Lewis attend, and what was the group about?
What group did Tolkien and Lewis attend, and what was the group about?
What group was originally a student reading group at Oxford in the early 1930s?
What group was originally a student reading group at Oxford in the early 1930s?
What was strange about Jack and Joy's marriage between 1956 and 1957? What was the reason for this?
What was strange about Jack and Joy's marriage between 1956 and 1957? What was the reason for this?
How did Joy influence Jack's writing?
How did Joy influence Jack's writing?
What is Boxen?
What is Boxen?
What is the Socratic society?
What is the Socratic society?
What is The Inklings?
What is The Inklings?
What are The Coalbiters?
What are The Coalbiters?
What is chronological snobbery?
What is chronological snobbery?
Study Notes
C.S. Lewis Overview
- Born on November 29, 1898, in Belfast, Ireland; died on November 22, 1963.
- Full name: Clive Staples Lewis, often referred to as "Jack" or "Jacksie".
Religious Journey
- Became a theist in 1929 and a Christian in 1931 after a spiritual awakening influenced by friends, J.R.R. Tolkien and Hugo Dyson.
- Conversion encapsulated in his work "A Pilgrim's Regress", which illustrates his journey to faith.
- Spiritual influences included George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton, and others, leading to a deeper understanding of Christianity.
Key Works and Themes
- "Surprised by Joy" serves as a partial autobiography exploring his conversion experiences and personal spiritual development.
- "A Grief Observed" written after the death of his wife, Helen Joy Davidman Gresham, reflecting on grief and loss.
- "The Everlasting Man" by G.K. Chesterton convinced Lewis of the cohesiveness of Christian history.
Personal Background and Education
- Parents: Albert and Flora Lewis; brother: Warren (commonly known as Warnie).
- Attended Oxford University, where he engaged in literary and philosophical discussions.
- Childhood home was called Little Lea, and he attended the dreary Wynyard school, noted for its cruel headmaster.
Literary Groups and Contributions
- Founded "The Inklings" in 1930, a literary group focused on discussing writing and literature, meeting at the Eagle and Child Pub.
- Also participated in "The Coalbiters," a group dedicated to reading Old Norse stories.
- Despite writing Christian literature, Lewis missed out on academic positions such as professorship.
Personal Life and Relationships
- Married Helen Joy Davidman in a civil ceremony as a means to secure her stay in the UK; maintained separate residences for a period.
- Joy had a significant impact on his writing, encouraging him to return to non-fiction and overcome writer's block.
Concepts and Philosophies
- "Chronological snobbery" describes the idea that older concepts are dismissed purely based on age rather than merit.
- Definition of "Joy": a deep yearning for an unattainable experience, characterized by bliss and longing.
- Developed an imaginary world called Boxen with his brother, showcasing his creative storytelling.
Influential Friends
- Key figures included Arthur Greeves, Nevill Coghill, Owen Barfield, as well as Tolkien and Dyson; all played vital roles in Lewis’s exploration of faith and literature.
- Notable authors who influenced him were George MacDonald and Samuel Johnson, among others.
Educational Role and Influence
- Worked as a "don," responsible for lecturing and providing individual tutoring to students, significantly impacting their education.
These study notes encapsulate the significant events and themes from the life and works of C.S. Lewis, providing a comprehensive overview of his contributions to literature and Christianity.
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Description
Test your knowledge on C.S. Lewis with these flashcards focused on Chapter 1 of 'Mere Christianity'. Learn about his life, beliefs, and important definitions that shaped his work. Ideal for students studying Lewis's theological insights.
