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Christian Behavior
"A Celebration of Mere Christianity, Part III"
On the 40th Anniversary of C. S. Lewis' Death

Roberta Hestenes

Thinking back on her own college years, Roberta Hestenes tells of an occasion when she was visiting someone who had a library of religious books. Pointing to a copy of Mere Christianity, the critic said of Lewis, "I think this one is a Christian, but he's dangerous." Hestenes agrees that Lewis is "dangerous" but in a positive sense. When, during her college career, she confessed to becoming a Christian, she recalls being told condescendingly that "you couldn't be both intellectual and spiritual." She said, "I was told I had lost my mind."

It was at this somewhat confusing time that she began reading Mere Christianity and she found Lewis to be a great guide to the Christian tradition. Now she is re-visiting Mere Christianity after not having read it for 20 years, and she finds re-reading it "a totally humbling experience." She said she realized "I had a good teacher," for Lewis had shaped her thinking. Musing on the writings of Lewis, Hestenes says The Abolition of Man speaks most deeply, for it speaks to American culture today. Thus, Lewis is always relevant.

Hestenes goes on to consider the historical significance of C. S. Lewis, the times in which Lewis wrote and was published during the war years, when he originally became presented to the world. At this historical juncture, she said, "the eternal truth of the Christian faith . . . caught fire."

Lewis is powerful, Hestenes believes, because his confidence is in a God who is the author of Truth, and Lewis is merely "passing it on." He knows that he is not the origin of this truth. This outlook reflects his humility. His goal, however, is more than apologetics: Lewis's motive is "to stir the conscience so people know the true condition they are in." Hestenes declares, "Lewis wants to do the diagnosis so that people can consider God's remedy."

 Hestenes feels that C. S. Lewis does not appeal to pop culture, i.e., to make the Gospel into easy rewards for believers. Rather, he puts the difficult obligations first. Lewis does not "bait and switch" but corrects misunderstandings right away—issues of justice, forgiveness, change of character, and the death of self that is part of Christian faith. These approaches to Christianity are not easy, but they are deep, and Lewis maintains great confidence in a God who will bring power to the Gospel message in the face of stark realities.

 Roberta Hestenes gives throughout an extremely moving presentation, eloquently delivered with passion and lucid intellect, and with imagination and faith worthy of the C. S.Lewis who so powerfullly impacted her own intellectual and spiritual life.

 Program recording date and length: 6-20-03 ~ 1 Hour

Order Catalog No.: 3820