Lewis, in which lewis argues that human pain, animal pain, and hell are not sufficient. Apr 21, 2008 if lewiss aim in this text is to address the problem of pain that arises out of an affirmation of the existence of god as he suggests in the introduction, then appalling nature of animal pain is a central issue for theodicy because animals, in lewiss view, cannot benefit morally from it. In 1940, at age fortytwo, lewis penned the problem of pain accompanied by a humble, written admission. The problem of pain demonstrates a more distant, less emotional reaction to humanitys situation, while a grief observed reads like a psalm of lament from within pain itself. Lewis, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full. Lewis considers with an elegant sidewise gleam in an essay titled divine omnipotence from his altogether fascinating 1940 book the problem of pain public library a scintillating examination of the concept of free will in a material universe and why suffering is not only a natural but an essential part of the human. And though he wrote wisely and winsomely on a wide range of subjects related to the christian life, he devoted relatively little attention to ecclesiology, liturgy, music, and corporate worship. Alhough it is perhaps never vitally important to identify and explore lewiss sources, doing so often proves to be a.
Lewis wrote this book was based on a set of radio talks from 1958. In the natural world life is sustained through the death of other things 3. Lewis ends the book with a look at hell, pain in animals and heaven. Lewis on suffering and what it means to have free will. The two texts compliment one another by identifying parts of our struggle, the intellectual and physical difficulty life will bring, and how. After the serialization of the screwtape letters, the director of religious broadcasting at the bbc approached lewis and the.
Lewis weekly letters to his brother, warnie, away serving in the army during world war ii, lead him to begin writing his first spiritual work, the problem of pain. Early in the book the problem of pain, in an analogy which is the epitome of the brilliance and humor of c. The problem of pain by cs lewis summary, quotes, and chapter. The most reluctant convert, which just had its world premiere in washington, d. Anyway, i loved the the problem of pain when i first read it. The problem of pain study guide contains a biography of c.
This new revised standard version nrsv bible includes additional readings comprised of selections from lewiss celebrated spiritual classics, a collection that includes mere christianity, the screwtape letters, the great divorce, the problem of pain, miracles, a grief observed, the weight of glory and the abolition of man, as well as letters, poetry, and lewiss lessfamiliar works. Lewis offers answers to these crucial questions and shares his hope and wisdom to help. Lewis launches the problem of pain with these memorable words. Feb 04, 2018 this video will solve all your problems when it comes to pain. Cs lewis, the problem of pain the problem of reconciling human suffering with the existence of a god who loves, is only insoluble so long as we attach a trivial meaning to the word love, and look on things as if man were the centre of.
Cs lewis theodicy on pain and sufferingaka lewis best. Lewis week six chapter nine animal pain the christian explanation of human pain cannot be extended to animal pain. The problem of pain unabridged audiobook on cd 9780060757489 by c. Lewis acknowledges this tension in his book the problem of pain. If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the gospels, it would seem that our lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. Following is an excerpt from his wondrous meditation. Lewis, the acclaimed christian apologist and author, a permanent sense of longing characterized his deepest held beliefs about christianity. Chapter 1 men without chests so he sent the word to slay and slew the little childer. Napa institute 7312015 first covenant church 532015 c. Lewis, in which lewis argues that human pain, animal pain, and hell are not sufficient reasons to reject belief in a good and powerful god. The problem of pain demonstrates a more distant, less. Lewis, the problem of pain compiled by arend smilde. Youd expect such, given his engagement with theology and literature, let alone observation of human experience and culture.
Lewis puts his wages on a god who holds goodness and pain in a paradox. Lewis, in which lewis argues that human pain, animal pain, and hell are not sufficient reasons to reject belief in a good and powerful god lewis summarizes the problem of evil as follows. Unconvincing to one who does not already agree with its basic assumptions. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include the chronicles of narnia, out of the silent planet, the four loves, the screwtape letters and mere christianity. Lewis discusses our individuality as persons in relation to the society of heaven and the unity of god. He was neither a clergyman nor a professional theologian. Lewis had tasted pain in ways that few can relate to. This classical book on suffering is one of the best i have ever read on the issue. The problem of pain seeks to understand how a loving, good, and powerful god can possibly coexist with the pain and suffering pervasive in the. If god were good, he would wish to make his creatures perfectly happy, and if god were almighty, he would be able to do what he wished. Sehnsucht appeared in many of lewis favorite works of literature, including norse mythology, the poems of wordsworth, and.
Lewiss notes are placed at the bottom of each chapter document. Jan 16, 2017 god stepped in and carried me along in my weakness, letting me taste his strength, grace, and love in new ways. It can come from the hand of a good, loving, and powerful god who desires the best for his creation, who genuinely allows for us to be free agents who make. Lewis the problem of pain ten easy answers week one problem of pain, week two problem of pain, week three problem of pain, week four problem of pain, week five problem of pa. Thanks for coming by, and click here to learn more about my new novel, red metal. In the natural world creatures prey upon one another 2. Click here for the complete unabridged audio version of the problem of pain peter faurs study guide to c. If lewis s aim in this text is to address the problem of pain that arises out of an affirmation of the existence of god as he suggests in the introduction, then appalling nature of animal pain is a central issue for theodicy because animals, in lewis s view, cannot benefit morally from it. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden. And what of the suffering of animals, who neither deserve pain nor can be improved by it. Paperback with french flaps and deckled page edges. Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales.
Lewis picture of heaven 1 discuss the imagery of lewis heaven, and what it might have been intended to signify. Lewis the problem of pain is another attempt at christian theodicy, the defense of gods goodness in the face of the worlds evil, written by the wellknown pop theologian and author. I first read the problem of pain when i was an impressionable teenager in search of the meaning of life. In the book he seeks to reconcile gods power and goodness. Lewis offers answers to these crucial questions and shares his hope and wisdom to. Lewis in the final chapter called heaven in his book the problem of pain, c. The problem of pain jacek bacz the existence of suffering in a world created by a good and almighty god the problem of pain is a fundamental theological dilemma, and perhaps the most serious objection to the christian religion. Fully realizing that he might be underestimating the reality of serious pain, he was compelled to intellectually address the issue, for he understood its profound implications toward belief, or disbelief, in god.
Pain, then, in and of itself is not completely bad or evil. Lewiss the problem of pain a summary logically faithful. The guardian for centuries christians have been tormented by one question above allif god is good and allpowerful, why does he allow his creatures to suffer pain. The problem of reconciling human suffering with the existence of a god who loves, is only insoluble so long as we attach a trivial meaning to the word love, and look on things as if man were the centre of them. Lewis was so uniquely qualified to write about the christian faith was the fact that he had, as a young man, totally rejected it. At no point does lewis give a concise oneliner as the answer to the problem of pain. I enjoyed your article, and cs lewis has come up with some of the most formidable defenses against the persistent 5. After the serialization of the screwtape letters, the director of religious broadcasting at the bbc approached lewis and the mere christianity talks were born. The problem of pain study guide expands upon lewis elegant and thoughtful work where he seeks to understand how a loving, good, and powerful god can possibly coexist with the pain and.
May 23, 20 heres we are far too easily pleased in its native surroundings, from the opening salvo of lewiss remarkable sermon the weight of glory. With his signature wealth of compassion and insight, c. Lewis may seem like an odd subject for study when it comes to the theology and practice of worship. Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. Cs lewis is the ideal persuader for the halfconvinced, for the good man who would like to be a christian but finds his intellect getting in the way. In my pain, he has magnified so many of his attributes. This video will solve all your problems when it comes to pain.
Lewis was an atheist in his 30s because, he says, he believed then that the universe was mostly empty space, dark, cold, and almost entirely unpopulated. Before lewis attempts to solve the intellectual problem raised by suffering page 10 he describes the origin of religion and how it creates the problem of pain. The problem of pain focuses on one question, but thoroughly argues on every aspect. God stepped in and carried me along in my weakness, letting me taste his strength, grace, and love in new ways. Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil. His childrens series, the chronicles of narnia, is among the. Cs lewiss the four lovesa humble summary logically. Nov 14, 2012 home commentary the problem of pain and c. Apr 7, 2016 for centuries people have been tormented by one question above all.
Alhough it is perhaps never vitally important to identify and explore lewiss sources, doing so often proves to be a rewarding enterprise. As you probably know, lewis was among the most successful, popular christian writers of the mid20th century. Cs lewis, the greatest christian thinking of our time, sets out to offer answers to these crucial questions with a wealth of compassion and insight. Lewis commented on the bible throughout his life as a christian. In the book he seeks to reconcile gods power and goodness with the presence of evil.
He certainly did so in a sweeping way and often creative way, whether it be the various loves, the megaphone of pain, the devil and temptation, etc. The problem of pain is a 1940 book on the problem of evil by c. Not many years ago when i was an atheist one of the reasons c. He is a british writer and held academic positions in english literature at both oxford university magdalen college, 19251954 and cambridge university magdalene college, 19541963. In the problem of pain, lewis grapples with the problem of suffering in a world creating by an ultimately good and powerful god. Man has the capacity not only to feel pain, but to anticipate pain 4.
It is really a pleasure to be able to praise a book unreservedly, and that is just what i can do with the problem of pain. Nov 01, 2010 this new revised standard version nrsv bible includes additional readings comprised of selections from lewiss celebrated spiritual classics, a collection that includes mere christianity, the screwtape letters, the great divorce, the problem of pain, miracles, a grief observed, the weight of glory and the abolition of man, as well as letters, poetry, and lewiss lessfamiliar works. Randy alcorn was a featured speaker at the 20 desiring god national conference, where he spoke about c. Lewis, ranging from the chronicles of narnia to his philosophical works to more devotional books. Jan 16, 2019 lewis commented on the bible throughout his life as a christian. Lewis published the problem of pain, his first major defence of christianity. The problem of pain study guide breaks down each chapter into easytounderstand questions and commentary to help you find meaning and hope amid the pain. Lewis 1898 1963 was a novelist, poet, and academic, who is well known for his work the chronicles of narnia. If god were good, he would make his creatures perfectly happy, and if he were almighty he. As you probably know, lewis was among the most successful, popular christian writers of the mid20th. Beasts are incapable of sin or virtue, so they can neither deserve pain nor be improved by it. Weve compiled a list of top inspirational and wise c. In the first section, he gives three elements of religion, and a fourth that.
To do so would be pithy and fail to do justice to the weight of the problem. If god is good and allpowerful, why does he allow his creatures to suffer pain. Fully realizing that he might be underestimating the reality of serious pain, he was compelled to intellectually address the issue, for he understood its. Lewis, he compares the relationship of god and man to that of a dog owner and his dog. Lewis the problem of pain is more relevant than ever. And lewis, a gifted and elegant writer, authored such books as the abolition of man, mere christianity, the problem of pain, and a preface to paradise lost. The problem of pain, cs lewis vision christian store. Antony flew examines his views on free will and evil it was in 1940 that c. If god were good, he would make his creatures perfectly happy, and if he were almighty he would be able to do what he wished. Spoilers ahead pain posted a serious objection to christianity and to heavenly authority in general, aggravated by claiming that love is the essence of god. Lewiss the problem of pain 1940 and four series of radio talks on the british broadcasting corporation during world war ii later collected as mere christianity, 1952 brought him wide recognition as a lay expositor of christian beliefs. This was followed in 1942 by the screwtape letters, in 1943 by the abolition of. Lewis also wrote extensively on topics related christianity, including miracles and the problem of painthe most famous work in this genre being the screwtape letters. Lewis the problem of pain is another attempt at christian theodicy.
Cs lewis clive staples lewis 1898 1963 is one of my favorite authors of all time. The problem of pain answers the universal question, why would an allloving, allknowing god allow people to experience pain and suffering. If lewiss aim in this text is to address the problem of pain that arises out of an affirmation of the existence of god as he suggests in the introduction, then appalling nature of animal pain is a central issue for theodicy because animals, in lewiss view, cannot benefit morally from it. Lewis asserts that pain is a problem because our finite, human minds selfishly believe that pain free lives would prove that god loves us. He was president of the oxford socratic club and a longtime participant in the inklings, an informal literary group whose members included lewis, j. Lewis, author of the lion, the witch and the wardrobe, was a tireless academic defender of christianity. He identified this feeling with the idea of sehnsucht, a german word meaning longing or desire. Baptized in the church of ireland, lewis fell away from. Lewis institute atlanta continued from previous page.
777 34 80 1155 148 230 18 1036 780 212 205 1387 721 370 1267 283 1492 354 686 1141 57 463 769 302 846 42 1181