Spiritual Awakening: Atheism to Christianity
C.S. Lewis, the celebrated British author and scholar, is renowned for his profound contributions to literature, philosophy, and Christian theology. His iconic works, such as “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “Mere Christianity,” have touched the hearts and minds of countless individuals, inspiring them to ponder the profound mysteries of faith. But what of the man behind these writings? What was the catalyst for his own spiritual awakening? This blog post delves into the captivating narrative of C.S. Lewis’s journey from atheism to Christianity, a transformation that not only shaped his life but also left an indelible mark on the world.
“I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.”
C.S. Lewis
The Early Years: A Seed of Skepticism
Born in Belfast, Ireland in 1898, Clive Staples Lewis, or “Jack” as he was known to his friends, grew up in a Christian household. His mother, Flora, was a devout Anglican, and his father, Albert, was an atheist. After his mother’s untimely death, Lewis’s faith began to waver, and by the age of 15, he had rejected Christianity, adopting atheism as his worldview. The loss of his mother and the horrors of World War I, in which he served, further entrenched his skepticism towards God and the supernatural.
The Influence of Friendship and Intellectual Rigor
Lewis’s journey back to Christianity began during his tenure at Oxford University, where he encountered a group of intellectuals known as the Inklings, which included J.R.R. Tolkien, another literary giant of the time. Tolkien, a devoted Catholic, played a pivotal role in challenging Lewis’s atheistic beliefs. Through their deep conversations and debates, Tolkien introduced Lewis to the concept of myth and its capacity to reveal profound truths about the human condition. This was a significant turning point, as it allowed Lewis to re-evaluate his views on religion and its role in literature.
Lewis’s friendship with another Oxford fellow, Hugo Dyson, also played a crucial part in his spiritual odyssey. In 1929, during a long night of discussion with Tolkien and Dyson, Lewis felt an overwhelming sense of the presence of something beyond the material world—a moment he later described as being “surprised by joy.”
The Intellectual Foundations: From Atheism to Theism
Lewis’s intellectual journey to theism was influenced by several key figures and their writings. One such figure was the philosopher and mathematician G.K. Chesterton, whose book “The Everlasting Man” made a deep impression on the young academic. Chesterton’s wit and logical argumentation challenged Lewis’s preconceived notions about the plausibility of Christianity.
Another significant influence was the philosopher Bertrand Russell, whose atheistic arguments initially bolstered Lewis’s own disbelief. However, upon closer examination, Lewis found Russell’s reasoning flawed and sought a more robust intellectual framework for his skepticism. This quest led him to the works of philosophers such as William James, who presented a more nuanced approach to the existence of God, and the metaphysical poets, whose verses spoke to the longing for the divine that he could no longer ignore.
The Pivotal Moment: The Abolition of Man
One of the most transformative moments in Lewis’s spiritual life occurred during a motorcycle ride with his good friend, J.R.R. Tolkien. As they discussed the nature of myth and reality, Tolkien presented Lewis with the idea that myths are not mere fabrications but are, in fact, “splinters of the true light.” This conversation led Lewis to question his atheistic beliefs and consider the possibility of a divine truth embedded within mythology. This revelation is famously recounted in Lewis’s autobiography, “Surprised by Joy.”
The Road to Christianity: The Great Knock
The final step in Lewis’s journey to Christianity is often referred to as “The Great Knock.” In 1931, while riding a bus, he experienced a profound moment of clarity and acceptance of God’s existence. He later described this as feeling “the door of the universe burst open,” and he knew with certainty that God was real. This event marked his transition from theism to Christianity.
The Influence of George MacDonald
C.S. Lewis’s conversion was also heavily influenced by the writings of George MacDonald, a 19th-century Scottish author and Christian minister. MacDonald’s fantasy works, such as “Phantastes” and “The Great Divorce,” introduced Lewis to the concept of a benevolent God whose love transcended human understanding. Through MacDonald’s vivid portrayal of God’s grace, Lewis began to see Christianity in a new light, as a faith that offered not just truth but also beauty and goodness.
Conclusion: The Chronicles of a Transformed Heart
C.S. Lewis’s conversion to Christianity was a gradual process, a winding path of doubt, discovery, and ultimately, profound faith. His intellectual curiosity, the influence of close friends, and his encounter with the beauty of Christian thought and literature all played a role in his spiritual transformation. As he himself wrote, “I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.”
Lewis’s journey from atheism to Christianity is a testament to the power of friendship, the pursuit of truth, and the enduring appeal of the gospel message. His writings, informed by his personal odyssey, continue to resonate with readers around the globe, inviting them to consider the possibility of a world beyond the one we see—a world where myth becomes reality, and the God touches the human heart.
Continue Your Journey: The Pilgrim’s Regress
“The Pilgrim’s Regress” is an allegorical novel by C.S. Lewis, originally published in 1933, which serves as a spiritual and intellectual autobiography of his own early life. The story follows the protagonist John, who feels a deep sense of discontent in his home, the Shadowlands, and sets out on a quest for an island called the Isle of the Blessed, which he believes will fulfill his longing. Along the way, John encounters various characters and experiences that symbolize different philosophical and religious ideas from Western culture. These encounters lead him through the realms of materialism, idealism, Eastern mysticism, and various other “isms” before he finally reaches the end of the world and meets the shepherd, a Christ-like figure who guides him to the true island, which is actually the realm of Christian faith. The narrative is heavily influenced by John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress” and is a clear allegory of Lewis’s own journey from atheism to Christian belief. The book is rich in symbolism and satire, critiquing various contemporary ideologies and celebrating the beauty and truth of Christian faith. It is an insightful exploration of the human search for meaning and the ultimate revelation of that meaning in the person of Jesus Christ.
Sources:
- C.S. Lewis, “Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life”
- Alister McGrath, “C.S. Lewis: A Life”
- Walter Hooper (ed.), “The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis”
- Humphrey Carpenter, “The Inklings: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, and Their Friends”
- George M. Marsden, “C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity: A Biographical and Theological Introduction”
